Stornoway Town Hall illuminations plan backed by councillors

Cllr Kenny John Macleod, who represents the Westside and Ness ward on Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, made the remarks during debate on the plans at  last week’s meeting of the Comhairle’s Transport and Infrastructure Committee.

He said “taste is something that was very difficult to define and is a very personal thing” adding that when he saw the plans he thought “it was a case of doing something because it can be done” rather than it adding to the quality of the building.

Cllr MacLeod also warned that the plan could even “detract” from the building’s appeal and concluded that whilst his opinion was a personal view, coloured lighting used in this way could be “garish” and contrasted the proposals with the use of white light to illuminate the town’s war memorial, which he said had been “very tastefully done and very approporaitely done and with a purpose.”

Comhairle Leader, Cllr Roddie Mackay, said that the plan was “a good example of partnership working”, and praised the work of the Western Isles Lifestyle lottery in their support for the move and their funding contribution of £16,000 to the project. 

But, Cllr MacKay was also keen to ensure that the Comhairle retained the right to choose the colours of the lighting used on the building, which was confirmed by Comhairle senior officers.

Cllr Calum MacMillan, who represents the Barra, Vatersay, Eriskay and South Uist ward, also supported the proposals and said that he hoped that the development could encourage businesses to occupy vacant shops in that part of the town. 

Stornoway councillor Keith Dodson said that he had received “nothing but good reports” coming from the local community about the proposals and said that he was “all for it”.