Lewis Chessmen could be heading home to the Western Isles, says MP

TALKS on the return of at least some of the iconic Lewis Chessmen to the Western Isles were yesterday described as "very positive".

Nationalist MP Angus MacNeil made the comment following a meeting with a senior official at the British Museum in London.

The 93 Lewis Chessmen, found on the island in 1831, are thought to have been made in Norway between 1150 and 1200 and were buried there for safe keeping en route to be traded in Ireland.

Currently, 11 pieces are kept in Edinburgh at the National Museum of Scotland, while the other 82 are in the British Museum.

Western Isles MP Mr MacNeil has previously called for most, if not all, the pieces to be returned to the islands.

Mr MacNeil said that moving the pieces to Lewis would have a "measurable" benefit for the islands, but only a marginal loss effect on the British Museum.

However, in March the then UK culture secretary, Margaret Hodge, said keeping them in London allowed many people to share in their history.

But Mr MacNeil said yesterday that after meeting Dr Andrew Burnett, deputy director of the British Museum, to "negotiate" the return – the museum had taken its first step.

"They are going to look at sending around 30 pieces to Lewis on a long loan," he said. "They did not give a date when, but added that they would also send some of the associated exhibition facilities as well.

"The museum are going to have a good look at the loan – and for a very long time."