The Blackhouse, Arnol
The Blackhouse, Arnol
4.5
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
About
Gain a unique insight into island life at no. 42 Arnol. This traditional, fully furnished thatched house once sheltered a family and its animals under the same roof. The ruined blackhouse at no. 39 can also be seen, together with the 1920s ‘white house’ that replaced it. White houses – in which a wall separated byre and dwelling – replaced many blackhouses around this time. Gaelic-speaking members of staff are usually on hand to answer queries about the crofting life on Lewis. Smell the peat smoke – even today the fire at the heart of the blackhouse is never allowed to go out. Peek inside the cosy box-beds in the bedroom, still complete with their original fabrics and furnishings. See the byre just as it was left in 1966, only without the cows.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
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4.5
600 reviews
Excellent
377
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179
Average
35
Poor
9
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Charleygirl76
Seaview, UK1,138 contributions
Sep 2021
This is priced at more than the whole village further down the island - so not really value for money in that sense. We think they keep the peat fire lit constantly - just to smoke the visitors out and keep the line moving. The cottage across the way was good though and no smoke !
Written October 10, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alison B
38 contributions
May 2022
There are two Blackhouse museums on Lewis and this is not the one to visit. I went in to buy tickets and the woman ignored me when I said hello and then practically shouted 'YES'. I was astonished that the tickets were £7 each for one house and one ruin. It took about half an hour to look at both houses (the pictures on the website are better than the actuality), rather than the 1-2 hours it suggests. I felt ripped off.
Written May 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for getting in touch with your feedback. We are sorry to hear you were disappointed with your visit. This site is part of Historic Environment Scotland, a charity, and our job is to protect, present and promote Scotland's built heritage. In order to achieve this, the income generated through admissions pays for part of this work. Without this income, it would not be possible to undertake this work. we consider our pricing very carefully and conduct an extensive comparability study with other visitor attractions locally and throughout Scotland before setting admission fees. Our extensive evaluation and independent market research also shows that it is usually perceived as good value for money.
Written June 23, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
redsgothenburg
Fort William, UK642 contributions
Sep 2021 • Couples
Rookie error in these COVID times, we turned up without a pre-booking. However a friendly chat with the staff, and a smart phone booking later, and we were in. The black house is an accurate reconstruction of life up until the first half of the 20th century. It certainly highlights the hardship faced in a permanently smoke filled, but cosy dwelling. However through photographs and text the close family ties and community support come across loud and clear. Well worth a visit.
Written November 4, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeremystravels
London, UK57 contributions
Jul 2022
Came across this by chance. It's a really authentic blackhouse with a great story and well maintained with an onsite shop and caretaker, who maintains a peat fire in the house. It's actually seems much more authentic that the much bigger and more-visited Blackhouse Village further south, so don't miss this one.
Written July 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sian S
Edinburgh, UK70 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
Definitely a must see attraction. Interesting and very humbling to see how people once lived. The small museum area next to the shop is great for adults and children eith great bits of i teraction including the light up model of the blackhouse. Lovely staff at the desk and some nice wee bits to buy in the shop too. Lovely clean toilet facilities too.
Written August 1, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Desislava Andreeva
Portsmouth, UK407 contributions
Aug 2024 • Couples
This black house was part of our schedule the cruise prep for us. It was one of the stops. Interesting place, with one way in. It tells the story about a woman who lived there until 1960s. They built her a house next to the black house, but she still preferred her old place. It takes 15min to see and read about it. There is a small shop for souvenirs and sweets, plus toilets on the back.
Written August 3, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HighlandLass24
Baltimore, MD193 contributions
Jul 2023
Although our tour stopped here, we might not have picked it to see on our own. It was interesting though getting a glimpse into the life of people before. It is a nice little stop. Be forewarned if you have asthma though - the peat fire stays on in the blackhouse and it is VERY smoky inside, so if you have lung issues, you may want to skip or make your visit brief and stay in the fresh air outside the house.
Written August 15, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mike O
Roanoke, VA1,335 contributions
Aug 2022
We learned much from reading the signs in the visitor center and wandering through the blackhouse itself. Such a different, and challenging, way of life not but so long ago. We spent about 45 minutes here; the peat smell from the fire will stay with us. This place is yet another reason we are glad to support Historic Environment Scotland with our membership.
Written August 19, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ladawncp
Windsor, UK449 contributions
Sep 2024 • Couples
This place could be absolutely magical. However, on the day we visited the fire wasn’t even lit. You have to read all about it before you enter the houses and there was so much info, I had to return to the beginning to remember what everything was. This could come alive with some updating and more interactive displays. I did buy the book, and have now read loads more. Can’t believe it black house was only built in the late 1800s. Lewis was certainly living in the dark ages.
Written September 24, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RuthyGlasgow
Glasgow833 contributions
Jul 2021
Visiting here was so much better than I thought it would be. Lovely to have had a wee demonstration of the weaving in the Blackhouse and to see how the locals would have lived. Even having the peat fire burning was lovely. Great wall boards up to explain everything on how people lived, worked and socialised. Really very interesting.
Written July 27, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Andy,
Is it worth catching the ferry over to Stornaway just for the day? We are visiting the UK in August.
Written April 21, 2018
I think you would be hard pushed to see all the sites on Lewis and Harris with a day visit to Stornaway. I suggest that if you want to make the most of your visit including The Black House, Calanais and the other sites, one, or better still, two nights would be more appropriate. Ian
Written April 21, 2018
Hi there, would love to visit here when we come in May. We are staying at Cladah Inn..can we get a bus to Arnol Blackhouse? Thanks 😁
Written March 15, 2018
We hired a small car when we arrived at the airport. It was the best decision that we made as it gave us the freedom to pop in and out of any of the attractions as well as just random places that caught our eye.
Written March 16, 2018
It is worth exploring this area as you will see the Blackhouses, not far away and open.....an iron age village and wonderful beach... The Standing stones Callanish are a must! If you have time and are driving start at the 'Butt of Lewis' - oddly at the Top of Lewis and travel down the road exploring as you go! Enjoy
Written April 25, 2016
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