📌 Arnol, Isle of Lewis
★★★
A blackhouse is a thatched building with dry-stone walls which used to be a common home across the Hebrides and beyond. People and animals shared the indoor space, which was smoky and dimly lit with no chimney or windows. In parts of the Isle of Lewis there are still countless ruined blackhouse visible, along with a few that have been thoroughly modernised, sometimes now used as holiday accommodation. At Arnol, the blackhouse at number 42 was occupied until 1965, and is now preserved as an interest tourist attraction and snapshot of a past way of living. The attraction also incorporates a “white house” (a more modern, solid-walled cottage) which was occupied between 1920 and 1976, furnished in 1950s / 60s style. There’s also a further (roofless) blackhouse ruin to look inside, and a visitor centre with a small exhibition. Consider it as a smaller but varied alternative to the more popular Gearrannan Blackhouse Village several miles to the west.
🌍 Location
📌 By minor road off A858, north side of Arnol, Isle of Lewis
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NB 311492
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 58.348862,-6.598289
🚌 Infrequent bus to Arnol
🚗 Car park
📝 Key info
⌚ Daily, April to September; Monday, Tuesday & Thursday to Saturday, October to March
🎫 £8.50 adult / £5 child / free for Historic Environment Scotland members – discount for booking online
