The natural environment has significantly shaped architecture and human settlement, with towns and smaller settlements in the Outer Hebrides all close to the sea. The wet and windy climate is harsh on buildings and the architecture reflects this. This Architectural Trail has selected 29 notable places from the Butt of Lewis to Barra, with sites ranging in age from the Iron Age to the present.
This trail is a mixture of public and private sites, historic and modern. These buildings show the skills and desires of island designers and craftsmen, mostly using local stone, sand and gravel. Other building materials were imported, since there is little timber or clay for building use. The importance of religion is reflected in some of the buildings chosen, while new buildings show the confidence Islanders have in reflecting their changing needs and aspirations.
As a result of the history of land ownership, very few houses predate 1880. The traditional dry-stone walled blackhouses, built in the North Atlantic longhouse tradition, gave way to newer White-houses with rendered stonewalls and a few standard layouts. Modern private homes now span a range of building materials, both local and imported, and feature unique and creative architectural design.
Acclaimed photographer John Maher has photographed the buildings, capturing the beauty of the islands’ variety of architecture.
Click on the image to download the trail leaflet.
To celebrate the RIAS Festival of Architecture, Western Isles Architects Group and An Lanntair teamed up to create this“Building our Islands” project to increase awareness of architecture in the Outer Hebrides. For more information on The Building our Islands project click here.
Highlights
Built in 1847-51 in the Neo-Gothic style popular in the Victorian era by Sir James Matheson and substantially altered by Lord Leverhulme. After being used as a school, it re-opened in 2016.
A broch is an iron-aged drystone hollow-walled structure found only in Scotland. Dun Carloway, was likely built in 1st Century AD.
Inspired by the traditional Hebridean summer dwellings or ‘airidhs’. The larch-clad house is both colourful and sculptural with dramatic views over the Harris hills. (Private residence: not open to…
Translated from Gaelic, Talla na Mara means the Centre by the sea. Overlooking Niseabost beach, the Centre boasts one of the most photographed locations in the Outer Hebrides.
Inspired by Scottish coastal Iron Age buildings. Designed by Stuart Bagshaw (Private residence, please view from the road)
Built in 1847-51 in the Neo-Gothic style popular in the Victorian era by Sir James Matheson and substantially altered by Lord Leverhulme.
A former inn with detached stable/storehouse, built on the site of an old salt house.
An iconic structure built in the early 1970s to service the RAF station in Balivanich.
The current steading was built in the early 1700’s; originally the site was part of a Nunnery from 1300.
Designed in 1965 by architect Richard McCarron, this Catholic church has been described as “brutalist”, owing little to traditional Outer Hebrides building styles. It was largely self-built by the…
Constructed by the islanders themselves under the guidance of Fr. Allan McDonald using local stone, timber salvaged from wrecks and a lime mortar of burnt shells and sand in 1899-1903. The altar…
Built in 2000 for Barra & Vatersay Housing Association (now part of HHP) by Ben Tindall Architects following extensive community consultation. ]
Our Lady, Star of the Sea, designed by G. Woulfe Brenan and completed in 1888, is perched atop a crag in Castlebay. The church dominates the bay and is a beacon for returning boats.
This medieval castle was the seat of the Clan Macneil. Built in the 15th century it was abandoned in the early 18th century, with stones used for shipping ballast. It was rebuilt in 1956-70.
An Lanntair’s award winning building, designed by Nicoll Russell Studios, is inspired by its name, which means “the beacon” in Gaelic.
A Stornoway landmark, built in 1878. Martin’s Memorial Church was designed by RA Bryden.
The Italianate Clocktower remains from the original elementary and infant school built in 1873, with the tower designed by Dr Alexander Ross in 1902.
A large (in island terms) social housing project for rent which fits an urban site where a school hostel had been located. Completed in 2012 by local architects Anderson Associates.
Built in 1862 by David and Thomas Stevenson. Made from red brick, which was unusual for Scottish lighthouses, it is 37 metres high and has 168 steps to the top. Spray flies over the top of it in…
St Moluag’s Church is a 12th century Temple, said to have been built by the son of a Scandinavian King, who had converted to Christianity. Saint Moluag was a Scottish missionary and contemporary of…
Blackhouses were common dwellings in the Hebrides. This was the last group to be occupied, being vacated in 1974.
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Number of results: 29
, currently showing 1 to 18.
Address
Lews Castle Grounds, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, Outer Hebrides, HS2 0XRStornoway, Isle of Lewis
Built in 1847-51 in the Neo-Gothic style popular in the Victorian era by Sir James Matheson and substantially altered by Lord Leverhulme. After being used as a school, it re-opened in 2016.
Address
Carloway, Isle of Lewis, Outer Hebrides, HS2 9AAIsle of Lewis
A broch is an iron-aged drystone hollow-walled structure found only in Scotland. Dun Carloway, was likely built in 1st Century AD.
Address
Achmore, Isle of Lewis, Outer Hebrides, HS2 9DUIsle of Lewis
Inspired by the traditional Hebridean summer dwellings or ‘airidhs’. The larch-clad house is both colourful and sculptural with dramatic views over the Harris hills. (Private residence: not open to the public).
Address
Amhuinnsuidh, Isle of Harris, Outer Hebrides, HS3 3ASTelephone
01859 560 200Isle of Harris
Amhuinnsuidhe Castle was built in 1865 in the Scottish Baronial style by the architect David Bryce and the 7th Earl of Dunmore. Access by prior arrangement only.
Address
Tarbert, Isle of Harris, Outer Hebrides, HS3 3DJIsle of Harris
Designed by John R. Coleman Architects, it occupies a strategic position in Tarbert, visible to everyone arriving there.
Address
Ardinashaig, Scalpay, Isle of Harris, Outer Hebrides, HS4 3XZScalpay, Isle of Harris
Scalpay Bridge opened in 1997 and was designed by Halcrow Crouch. It replaced a bow loaded ferry as Scalpay’s link to Harris.
Address
Pairc Niseaboist, Horgabost, Isle of Harris, Outer Hebrides, HS3 3AETelephone
01859 503900Isle of Harris
Translated from Gaelic, Talla na Mara means the Centre by the sea. Overlooking Niseabost beach, the Centre boasts one of the most photographed locations in the Outer Hebrides.
Address
Borve, Isle of Harris, Outer Hebrides, HS3 3HTIsle of Harris
Inspired by Scottish coastal Iron Age buildings. Designed by Stuart Bagshaw (Private residence, please view from the road)
Address
Northton, Isle of Harris, Outer Hebrides, HS3 3JATelephone
07876 340416Isle of Harris
A stone building reminiscent of a Blackhouse, designed by Stuart Bagshaw in 1999 as an interpretive centre of William MacGillivray, an ornithologist from Harris.
Address
Rodel, Isle of Harris, Outer Hebrides, HS5 3TWIsle of Harris
Large iron-roofed 18th-century structure, it is thought to have been a store or ‘keeping house’ with two floors and three bays.
Address
Rodel, Isle of Harris, Outer Hebrides, HS5 3TWIsle of Harris
St. Clement’s earliest sections date to the 15th Century and it is the finest pre-reformation church in the Hebrides. Inside is one of the most ambitious and richly-carved tombs of the time for the Macleod clan chief.
Address
Castle Grounds, Stornoway, Isle Of Lewis, Outer Hebrides, HS2 0XRIsle Of Lewis
Built in 1847-51 in the Neo-Gothic style popular in the Victorian era by Sir James Matheson and substantially altered by Lord Leverhulme.
Address
Berneray, Isle of North Uist, Outer Hebrides, HS6 5BQIsle of North Uist
These two converted blackhouses now form the Berneray hostel site of the Gatliff Trust and lie in a Conservation Area. The original croft houses probably dated from the 19th Century.
Address
Tigharry, Isle of North Uist, Outer Hebrides, HS6 5DEIsle of North Uist
The folly was built on the site of an Iron Age broch by Dr Alexander Macleod in the 1830’s to provided work during a famine. Now open to the elements, it is a nesting place for birds.
Address
Lochmaddy, Isle of North Uist, Outer Hebrides, HS6 5AATelephone
01870 603970Isle of North Uist
A former inn with detached stable/storehouse, built on the site of an old salt house.
Address
Balivanich, Isle of Benbecula, Outer Hebrides, HS7 5LAIsle of Benbecula
An iconic structure built in the early 1970s to service the RAF station in Balivanich.
Address
Nunton, Isle Of Benbecula, Outer Hebrides, HS7 5LUIsle Of Benbecula
The current steading was built in the early 1700’s; originally the site was part of a Nunnery from 1300.
Address
Garrynamonie, Isle of South Uist, Outer Hebrides, HS8 5TXIsle of South Uist
Designed in 1965 by architect Richard McCarron, this Catholic church has been described as “brutalist”, owing little to traditional Outer Hebrides building styles. It was largely self-built by the parishioners.
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