Six of the Lewis Chessmen are returning to the island of their discovery when a new multimillion-pound museum opens in the Western Isles next month.

The display is predicted to be a major crowd puller from the summer, with visitor numbers estimated to reach 50,000 a year.

Part of the £19m Lews Castle restoration project, the modern museum in Stornoway will fully open on Thursday, July 14, Western Isles Council has announced.

Half a dozen pieces from the Viking treasure hoard will take centre stage in the museum galleries as part of a long-term loan deal between Western Isles Council and the British Museum.

A King, Queen, bishop, knight, warder (rook) and pawn will make their return to the Western Isles.

Special security measures to protect the valuable 12th Century chessmen pieces caused delays to the opening.

A Western Isles Council spokesman said: "We are looking forward to the opening of the fully restored Lews Castle and Museum, which will contribute to the local economy whilst providing a base for the cultural heritage of the islands.

"The museum and archive will host a range of fascinating artefacts including the iconic, world famous 12th century Lewis Chessmen which we are confident will be of massive interest to local people and visitors to the islands."

Hidden on the west coast of Lewis for centuries, the walrus ivory chessmen were discovered among stone bothies in a small glen at Ardroil by crofter Calum Macleod of nearby Pennydonald in 1831.

They are believed to have been made in Norway during the Viking period and imported via ship on one of the Norse expeditions to the Hebrides.

As the largest and best group of early chessmen to survive, they are one of the most significant archaeological discoveries made in Scotland and are of major international importance.