The idyllic Gearrannan Black House Village reflects images of the past, through an oil-painting glaze.

Why not take a tour of the Western Isles next summer and stay at the blackhouse hostel at Gearrannan on Lewis and the blackhouse hostel shown in this photo on the tiny Isle of Bernery.

It is like staying inside history

Oh Wow! Take a look at The Gearrannan Hostel , part of the Gearrannan Black House Village! Surely this is one of the most amazing locations to stay in Britain.

Not only is it on the Isle of Lewis, so you know you’ll be guaranteed great wildlife, wilder weather and stunning scenery, but the hostel is a cluster of traditional Black Houses. 

We see buildings like this all over the coast of the UK – long houses in Wales, crofts on the Scottish coast. They’re built from local materials and designed to shelter the humans and livestock from the worst of the elements. You’d be staying in a living history  with its solid double – drystone walls and thatched roof. On the inside, though, they have been newly refurbished inside to sleep 13 with a well equipped kitchen and cosy warmth from radiators and showers heated with renewable energy. 

I can’t think of a better place to explore these amazing islands. 

Gearranan Hostel, a magical experience of a bygone era.

Gearranan Hostel is an ancient blackhouse in a village unchanged for hundreds of years.  Built in a sheltered sandy cove of the Atlantic Ocean on Lewis, the furthermost outreach of the Outer Hebridean islands.  From the hostel follow the waymarked walk to Dalmore Beach and onwards to Dalbeg Beach.  Pick up a  pamphlet at the hostel to read about the history, archaeology and wildlife that you pass.  A four mile round trip gives you three hours of glorious peace walking on moorland and coast.  For more history and the ghosts of yesteryear you can walk to the south from Gearranan to find the deserted township of Laimishader.