Architectural Trail

Highlights

1. Lews Castle and Museum

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.

10. Dun Carloway

A broch is an iron-aged drystone hollow-walled structure found only in Scotland. Dun Carloway, was likely built in 1st Century AD.

11. The Summer House

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…

15. Talla na Mara

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.

16. The Broch House

Inspired by Scottish coastal Iron Age buildings. Designed by Stuart Bagshaw (Private residence, please view from the road)

2. The Boatman’s Tower

Built in 1847-51 in the Neo-Gothic style popular in the Victorian era by Sir James Matheson and substantially altered by Lord Leverhulme.

22. Taigh Chearsabhagh

A former inn with detached stable/storehouse, built on the site of an old salt house.

23. Benbecula Water Tower

An iconic structure built in the early 1970s to service the RAF station in Balivanich.

24. Nunton Steadings

The current steading was built in the early 1700’s; originally the site was part of a Nunnery from 1300.

25. Our Lady of Sorrows

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…

26. St Michael’s of the Sea

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…

27. Cuithir Houses

Built in 2000 for Barra & Vatersay Housing Association (now part of HHP) by Ben Tindall Architects following extensive community consultation. ]

28. Our Lady, Star of the Sea

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.

29. Kisimul Castle

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.

3.  An Lanntair

An Lanntair’s award winning building, designed by Nicoll Russell Studios, is inspired by its name, which means “the beacon” in Gaelic.

4. Martin’s Memorial Church

A Stornoway landmark, built in 1878. Martin’s Memorial Church was designed by RA Bryden.

5. Nicolson Institute Clock Tower

The Italianate Clocktower remains from the original elementary and infant school built in 1873, with the tower designed by Dr Alexander Ross in 1902.

6. Gibson Gardens

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.

7. Butt of Lewis Lighthouse

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…

8. St Moluag’s Church

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…

9. Gearrannan Blackhouse Village

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.

  1. Address

    Lews Castle Grounds, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, Outer Hebrides, HS2 0XR

    Stornoway, 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.

    Add 1. Lews Castle and Museum to your Itinerary

  2. Address

    Carloway, Isle of Lewis, Outer Hebrides, HS2 9AA

    Isle 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.

    Add 10. Dun Carloway to your Itinerary

  3. Address

    Achmore, Isle of Lewis, Outer Hebrides, HS2 9DU

    Isle 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).

    Add 11. The Summer House to your Itinerary

  4. Address

    Amhuinnsuidh, Isle of Harris, Outer Hebrides, HS3 3AS

    Telephone

    01859 560 200

    Isle 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.

    Add 12. Amhuinnsuidhe Castle to your Itinerary

  5. Address

    Tarbert, Isle of Harris, Outer Hebrides, HS3 3DJ

    Isle of Harris

    Designed by John R. Coleman Architects, it occupies a strategic position in Tarbert, visible to everyone arriving there.

    Add 13. Isle of Harris Distillery to your Itinerary

  6. Address

    Ardinashaig, Scalpay, Isle of Harris, Outer Hebrides, HS4 3XZ

    Scalpay, 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.

    Add 14. Scalpay Bridge to your Itinerary

  7. Address

    Pairc Niseaboist, Horgabost, Isle of Harris, Outer Hebrides, HS3 3AE

    Telephone

    01859 503900

    Isle 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.

    Add 15. Talla na Mara to your Itinerary

  8. Address

    Borve, Isle of Harris, Outer Hebrides, HS3 3HT

    Isle of Harris

    Inspired by Scottish coastal Iron Age buildings. Designed by Stuart Bagshaw (Private residence, please view from the road)

    Add 16. The Broch House to your Itinerary

  9. Address

    Northton, Isle of Harris, Outer Hebrides, HS3 3JA

    Telephone

    07876 340416

    Isle 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.

    Add 17. Temple Cafe to your Itinerary

  10. Address

    Rodel, Isle of Harris, Outer Hebrides, HS5 3TW

    Isle 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.

    Add 18. The Girnal to your Itinerary

  11. Address

    Rodel, Isle of Harris, Outer Hebrides, HS5 3TW

    Isle 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.

    Add 19. St Clements Church to your Itinerary

  12. Address

    Castle Grounds, Stornoway, Isle Of Lewis, Outer Hebrides, HS2 0XR

    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.

    Add 2. The Boatman’s Tower to your Itinerary

  13. Address

    Berneray, Isle of North Uist, Outer Hebrides, HS6 5BQ

    Isle 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.

    Add 20. Gatliff Hostel to your Itinerary

  14. Address

    Tigharry, Isle of North Uist, Outer Hebrides, HS6 5DE

    Isle 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.

    Add 21. Scolpaig Tower to your Itinerary

  15. Address

    Lochmaddy, Isle of North Uist, Outer Hebrides, HS6 5AA

    Telephone

    01870 603970

    Isle of North Uist

    A former inn with detached stable/storehouse, built on the site of an old salt house.

    Add 22. Taigh Chearsabhagh to your Itinerary

  16. Address

    Balivanich, Isle of Benbecula, Outer Hebrides, HS7 5LA

    Isle of Benbecula

    An iconic structure built in the early 1970s to service the RAF station in Balivanich.

    Add 23. Benbecula Water Tower to your Itinerary

  17. Address

    Nunton, Isle Of Benbecula, Outer Hebrides, HS7 5LU

    Isle Of Benbecula

    The current steading was built in the early 1700’s; originally the site was part of a Nunnery from 1300.

    Add 24. Nunton Steadings to your Itinerary

  18. Address

    Garrynamonie, Isle of South Uist, Outer Hebrides, HS8 5TX

    Isle 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.

    Add 25. Our Lady of Sorrows to your Itinerary

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