Scotland autumn 2016, mills and blackhouses

Still following the road south from Butt of Lewis we found more tourist opportunities. First, in Shawbost, we came across the reconstruction of a Norse iron age mill and kiln. There has always been a mill on this rather pretty site, and it was last in use in 1930. A stream flows past the building, down to a little loch which was a smooth as glass.








Not far from the mill is  Gearrannan Blackhouse Village. Based on a crofting settlement which subsisted  here until the 1970's, some of the houses are opened to view. while some are used as holiday houses. I hope the holiday homes have better chimney arrangements than the house we looked at. A weaver works here sometimes and he must have pickled lungs!















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