Dualchas have been selected to masterplan the new Ionad Hiort project in the Uig area of Lewis. Partnering with Norwegian practice Reiulf Ramstad Architects the internationally important project will involve the development of a visitor and resource centre which seeks to be not only an outstanding piece of architecture but also cuturally and economically important to the Western Isles.
Iain Buchanan, chairman of Ionad Hiort Ltd – the charitable company formed to take the project forward – said: “The vision presented by Dualchas and RRA was outstanding and we are confident that we have people of the highest quality developing every aspect of the project, in close consultation with local interests”.
Plans for Ionad Hiort had their origin in a competition sponsored by HIE, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, VisitScotland, the National Gaelic Arts Agency and the National Trust for Scotland to identify the best location for a St Kilda Centre.
St Kilda is a double World Heritage Site and, subsequently, UNESCO adopted the project as a “pilot” for how to develop remote access to the many World Heritage Sites which are not easily available to visitors.