The Woodlands Centre is a popular destination in Stornoway for those seeking refreshment of a sit down before or after a wander around the castle grounds. But the site of the Woodlands has an interesting history.
The extract from the first edition OS map of Stornoway shows the Woodlands site which at this point was the Shoe Burn Distillery. The distillery was established in 1833 but eventually became the estate saw mill. Some of the areas more mature residents may remember the old buildings on the site that date from this period and parts of the original walls can be seen inside the Woodlands Centre still. The photo gallery available on the Stornoway Trust website relating to the centre show the original buildings on the site as well as the new Woodlands Centre being built.
