Gearrannan Blackhouses, Isle of Lewis Greeting Card

Gearrannan Blackhouses, Isle of Lewis Greeting Card

Gearrannan Blackhouses, Isle of Lewis greeting card has been produced from an original painting by artist Emily Ward.

This delightful greeting card of a quaint old traditional house overlooks the rugged unspoilt coastline of the Outer Hebrides.

The soft purple haze of the sky reflects over the sea and the hillside filled with Scottish heather.

To view this and Emily’s art greeting cards, please view here

Gearrannan Blackhouses, Isle of Lewis

The blackhouse buildings were usually built with double dry-stone-walls, which were packed with earth. The roof consisted of wooden rafters that were covered with a thatch of reed or cereal straw.

The flooring was traditionally just packed earth and sometimes had flagstones. There was no chimney for the smoke to escape through from the central hearth. The smoke made its way through the roof. This led to the soot blackening of the interior which may also have contributed to the adoption of name blackhouse.