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Gain a unique insight into island life at no. 42 Arnol. This traditional, fully furnished thatched house once sheltered a family and its animals under the same roof.

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The ruined blackhouse at no. 39 can also be seen, together with the 1920s ‘white house’ that replaced it. White houses – in which a wall separated byre and dwelling – replaced many blackhouses around this time.

Gaelic-speaking members of staff are usually on hand to answer queries about the crofting life on Lewis.

A thatched roof, weighed down with stones and ropes
A drystone wall
A wood panelled wall with an opening cut out into it with pink and green floral curtains framing the opening

Smell the peat smoke – even today the fire at the heart of the blackhouse is never allowed to go out.

Peek inside the cosy box-beds in the bedroom, still complete with their original fabrics and furnishings.

See the byre just as it was left in 1966, only without the cows.

Imagine how living in the white house would have compared to life in the blackhouse.

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