This set is a careful reproduction of the famous Lewis Chessmen regarded by experts as "The most astonishing collection of ancient chessmen is existence".

Dating from the 12th century, they were discovered by a shepherd on Uig beach in 1831, after the rains and sea had eroded a sand bank and brought them out into the open.

Of the 78 pieces found and belonging to 8 or more sets, 67 are now in the British Museum in London and 11 in the National Museum in Edinburgh.

The originals are made of Walrus tusks and the dark side is believed to have been stained with beetroot juice.

These Lewismen are entirely handmade in a workshop some miles away from the beach where the originals were found.