Lewis Black House

This traditional Black House on the Isle of Lewis on the West coast of Scotland is still as it was in 1977 when it was used as a family dwelling.The only difference now will be the thatch which used to be of heather and had to be replaced regularly .Now the house is roofed with straw thatch which lasts much longer.Many of these houses had no chimney as the peat smoke filtered through the roof and helped to make the structure waterproof.The animals would be at one end in the winter to help with heating!