The £19million rescue of a Hebridean castle is running over budget – and some important finishing touches to the project could be affected.
The transformation of derelict Lews Castle in Stornoway into a plush hotel and museum is in its final stages.
But extra costs mean there is not enough cash to completely restore the morning room and dining room decoration as well as the interpretation of the castle, including a display of paintings in the dining room.
The “appropriate furnishing” of the public rooms will also be affected, says a briefing by Western Isles Council.
Six of the world famous 12thcentury Lewis Chessmen ivory chess pieces will be displayed in the new museum and are expected to be a major draw when it opens.
But beefing-up the security system to satisfy new requirements for borrowed historical artefacts is an added expense.
Costs also rose after contractor Patton went into administration and architects Malcolm Fraser went into liquidation.
Hidden asbestos had to be removed while extra works were required to prevent water penetrating around the windows.
A council briefing report says some of the increased costs can be absorbed.
However, additional fees of about £190,000 for design and project management “are significant”, highlights the report.
It adds: “While the overall capital project remains within the approved expenditure, some unforeseen events have increased the costs.
“Although some of these costs have been absorbed through value engineering and contingency, this will impact on delivery of some desirable elements of the project in relation to the Lews Castle visitor experience.”
The council is in the middle of a legal battle over complaints it acted unfairly in giving hotel firm Natural Retreats a lease on the castle.
Kenman Holdings, which runs the Cabarfeidh, Caladh and Royal hotels in Stornoway, alleges Western Isles Council broke contract rules and acted unlawfully.
Kenman says it wants the council to re-run the process, which would allow any interested company to bid.
It has lodged two complaints with the European Commission and is appealing a Court of Session ruling which said it delayed too long in seeking a judicial review.
Funding issues with the castle works delayed plans to publicly open the new museum and restored ground floors of the building last year.
Full opening of the museum is now pushed back to July. The hotel is expected to be in operation around Christmas.
