Our Island - The Blackhouse
Our Island - The Blackhouse
The blackhouses in the Outer Hebrides, just like Harris Tweed®, stand as enduring symbols of a way of life, deeply rooted in tradition. Built from stone with thatched roofs, these historic homes were the traditional dwellings on the Isle of Lewis, sheltering crofting families for generations.
The layout was both simple and functional serving as a communal space for livestock as well as people. The central area featured a peat fire which served as the main source of heat and was used for cooking and light. There was no chimney for the smoke to escape from resulting in soot blackening the interior, giving rise to the name “blackhouse”.
It was within these homes that Harris Tweed® came to life. Crofters would dye wool using natural land materials and weave on a single width loom, often set up in the living area, creating lengths of our famed cloth.
The blackhouses remained inhabited until the early 1970s, and today they are preserved as a glimpse into a bygone era. The intimate connection between Harris Tweed® and the blackhouses is one of heritage and tradition, embodying a way of life that defines the Outer Hebrides.
Image credit: @mairimacarthurmartin
