An arts, music and entertainment venue on Kenneth Street in the centre of Stornoway (Isle of Lewis), An Lanntair ('the lighthouse') occupies a distinctive building overlooking South Beach Quay. It has established a reputation as a dynamic small arts centre with a distinctive Gaelic cultural identity. Serving a broad community across the Western Isles, it includes a 50-seater restaurant, community space, art gallery and shop, together with a multi-purpose auditorium with stage, which also serves as a cinema, that can seat up to 225 people in varying configurations. The building was formally opened on the 13th February 2005 by Jack McConnell (b. 1960), First Minister of Scotland, however the centre was first incorporated as a charity in 1984 and began operating in Stornoway Town Hall the following year.
The centre specialises in the visual and performing arts and promotes touring exhibitions. It hosts concerts, art and photography exhibitions, drama and dance, and offers a film club, theatre workshops, and art and craft classes for all ages. Concerts include folk, classical, jazz, rock and world music. The venue is also available for conferences, as well as private and corporate events. An Lanntair is a principal venue for the annual Hebridean Celtic Festival, and has also hosted the Royal National Mod in 2005 and 2011.
