Further coverage of the planned return on permanent loan of some of the Lewis Chessmen to a new purpose built exhibition space in Lews Castle.

It has been pointed out to me following my questioning of why this was happening now, that there is of course a referendum on Scotland’s independence from the UK coming up some time around the return date – which may well have had a bearing on the decision.

The British Museum has also announced a series of regional tours of other artefacts – increasing its lending programme (within the UK at least).

From:
Museums Association Journal

Lewis Chessmen to return to Western Isles
Rebecca Atkinson, 14.06.2012
British Museum also announces series of regional loans

Six of the Lewis Chessmen are to go on permanent display at Lews Castle, Stornoway, from 2014 as part of a loan agreement between Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Western Isles Council) and the British Museum.

The medieval chess pieces will be displayed in a new museum funded by a £4.6m Heritage Lottery Fund grant and supported by National Museums Scotland (NMS) and the British Museum.
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Western Isles MP, Angus MacNeil, states that the talks he has been having with the British Museum regarding the Lewis Chessmen have been very positive – the implication of this (based on MacNeil’s previous comments about the chessmen) suggests that he now believes there is a reasonable chance that they may be returned to the Western Isles.

From:
BBC News

Page last updated at 13:16 GMT, Tuesday, 15 June 2010 14:16 UK
Lewis chessmen could be returned

Talks to return at least some of the Lewis chessmen to the Western Isles have been described as “very positive”.

The area’s MP Angus MacNeil made the comment following a meeting with the deputy director of the British Museum, where 82 of the chessmen are housed.
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