Restoration works have been completed at a former stately home on Raasay.

Raasay House was taken over by the local community in 2007. It then underwent a £4.5m refurbishment project, and was in the final stages of completion when it was destroyed by a fire in January 2009.

The following year, the project's contractor, Rok, fell into administration and a new contractor had to be hired.

The Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), Big Lottery Fund and Historic Scotland funded the upgrade and refurbishment project, with HIE working intensively with Raasay House Community Company (RHCC) since the fire to get the building back on track.

With works now completed, the Grade A listed mansion house now offers a range of accommodation from luxury to lodge, a café, bar and restaurant and an activity centre.


This weekend, it will host the 'Big Weekend' from 12 – 15 July to celebrate the completion of the refurbishment.

David Westgarth, Chairman of RHCC said: "Seven years ago the Raasay community acquired Raasay House and set about securing the funding package to refurbish the building, and establishing a tenant that would pay a rent to the community. After numerous setbacks and frustrations that goal has now been achieved with the help of HIE, The Big Lottery Fund and Historic Scotland.

"Raasay House is now a magnificent building with a new interior and new roofs throughout but looking as it always did from the outside. Our tenants the Raasay Outdoor Centre are now in situ with a full insurance and maintenance tenancy and we look forward to helping them make the house a key economic driver to help sustain the future of the Island and its community."

Eilidh Ross of Highlands and Islands Enterprise, added: "It has been a long and often difficult road for Raasay House to reopen as an important community asset. We are delighted that Raasay House is now in a position to open its doors to visitors."

Raasay House will be officially opened on 20 September by Lib Dem MP Charles Kennedy.

(JP/CD)