The Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF) is delighted to have awarded a Project Development Grant to the Hynish Trust to support plans to upgrade some of the historic buildings at Hynish Shore Station, preserving the unique heritage of the site and providing key services that meet the needs of the local community. This grant was one of 10 awards made at the AHF’s October grants meeting, where projects across England, Scotland, and Wales were awarded funding totalling £147,152.
On the charming Isle of Tiree, the most westerly of the Inner Hebridean islands, sits Hynish Shore Station. Designed by Alan Stevenson, it was established in the 1830s as the operational base for the construction of the Skerryvore Lighthouse, which exhibited for the first time in 1844.
The site comprises a collection of historic buildings in largely unaltered condition, all of which are Category A listed, including Alan Stevenson House, originally the pierhead store; Morton Boyd House and Hall, the former smithy; the Signal Tower, which once enabled communication with the Lighthouse; the Lower Square, consisting of the Barracks, the Cottage, the Old Stables, the Old Storeroom, a washhouse, and cow sheds; and the Upper Square, consisting of the four lighthouse keepers' houses. Many of these buildings were previously refurbished by the Hebridean Trust, which was established in the 1980s to restore Hynish. However, they are now in need of an upgrade.
In June 2024, the Hebridean Trust gifted the site to the Tiree community, and the Hynish Trust was formed to take this project forward. The new Trust’s vision for Hynish is based on true local community ownership and will combine stewardship of the heritage asset with the needs of the local community.
Plans for the site are wide-ranging and initially comprise renovation of the Signal Tower and Old Cowsheds as part of a heritage trail, exhibition and visitor experience. The Historic Environment Scotland-supported AHF grant will contribute towards an architect and quantity surveyor to undertake a condition survey and cost plan of the Signal Tower. This is a small-scale phase of the overall restoration and conservation project, which will help to underpin larger work to follow.
Image: The Signal Tower at Hynish Shore Station. Credit - Hynish Trust.
In future phases, the Morton Boyd Hall will be transformed into an energy-efficient, multi-purpose venue for the community with WCs for public use; Upper Square cottages will be upgraded to meet current legislation and will continue to be available for long-term lease; Alan Stevenson House, which is currently used as a licensed restaurant with rooms run by a Tiree-based family, will also be upgraded; Morton Boyd Cottage will be converted into a visitor hub and apartment; and the Barracks will be renovated to provide low-cost rental flats for residents and seasonal workers. Finally, the Trust has aspirations to purchase the land around Hynish Shore Station, including the walled gardens, to bring the entire site into single ownership.
