Island Retreat

These little white houses, called black houses, are seen mainly in the Scottish Hebridean islands. Although most of them are now painted white originally they were natural stone. There is some controversy over the name but it is understood that they were called black houses because initially there was no chimney, the smoke just went through the roof, blackening the interior in the process. Here, it can be seen that the one on the right hand side has very thick walls - evident at the entrance to the door. The sky is a light grey streaked with pink tinged clouds and there is a bit of shingle and seaweed at the sea edge. Although there is no-one to be seen there is a sign of occupancy - clothes hanging on the washing line.