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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.
Number of results: 29
, currently showing 19 to 29.
Isle of South Uist
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 rests on the bow of a lifeboat.
Isle of Barra
Built in 2000 for Barra & Vatersay Housing Association (now part of HHP) by Ben Tindall Architects following extensive community consultation. ]
Isle of Barra
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.
Isle of Barra
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.
Isle Of Lewis
An Lanntair’s award winning building, designed by Nicoll Russell Studios, is inspired by its name, which means “the beacon” in Gaelic.
Stornoway, Isle Of Lewis
A Stornoway landmark, built in 1878. Martin’s Memorial Church was designed by RA Bryden.
Isle Of Lewis
The Italianate Clocktower remains from the original elementary and infant school built in 1873, with the tower designed by Dr Alexander Ross in 1902.
Isle Of Lewis
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.
Isle of Lewis
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 winter storms.
Isle of Lewis
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 Saint Columba.
Isle of Lewis
Blackhouses were common dwellings in the Hebrides. This was the last group to be occupied, being vacated in 1974.
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