View across the Outer Harbour of Stornoway

Monday 7 December 2009

Monday 7 December

A half-decent morning, with showers and strong winds. The wind will abate and the showers are expected to fade away. Tomorrow, gales and rain will return - more steady winter weather will arrive on Wednesday, and temperatures will fall. At the moment, it's about 8C.


All this weather did not deter the so-called flash mob which took turns protesting outside the Town Hall here in Stornoway this morning. There are plans afoot to make major alterations to the interior of the building, and this morning, internet and mobile phone messages went round for people to come and go in protest. The BBC termed it a flash mob. Footage is expected to be shown on local news this evening.

Stornoway Town Hall was built in 1905, burned down in 1918 and rebuilt in 1929. It is one of the most noticeable buildings in this town, and the interior is equally unique. As most of my readers are not familiar with the building, I won't go into the fine print of the proposals, but sufficient to say, there is a groundswell of opinion opposed to any changes. I can only say that not all change is bad.

The below picture shows the interior of the building in July 2006, when a group of Norwegian folk dancers were in full flow. 

2 comments:

  1. Old buildings are lovely and one hates to loose the atmosphere they provide. Some updates are needed though as the old wears out. Hopefully they can reach an agreement on what is to be done.

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  2. The ballroom/theatre seems to match the external style,grand or grandiose.
    As so often a touch of French chatteu externally.
    Perhaps changes proposed too grande.

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