Posts

Showing posts with the label Norse Mill

Scotland autumn 2016, mills and blackhouses

Image
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!