A number of island homes are set to feature in a new BBC Alba four-part series on the development of rural housing in Scotland.
In the programme, builder Ewen MacKinnon, who has a passion for the beauty of construction, takes us on a fascinating and revealing journey through Scotland’s rural housing landscape – telling a story of place, people and home.
The history of traditional buildings in the Highlands and islands resonates particularly with people today as an increasing number of people are choosing to build new homes using the materials from early 19th century homes and in line with much-loved styles such as the blackhouse.
The first programme takes a look at some examples of the earliest dwellings in Scotland, dating back to the Iron Age.
It explores their key qualities, and what they teach us about those who lived there.
Over the generations, we can see the changing relationship between crofters and their animals, the changing status of crofters and the relationship between Islanders and outside influences.
Featured in the show is the impressive Lewis stone structures, the Bosta Iron Age House on Great Bernera, Uig, the Norse Mill in nearby Shawbost, the s-shaped house named Oran na Mara on Harris, the Hebridean Earth House on South Uist and the Carloway broch, Lewis.
These structures have also inspired numerous impressive new island homes.
Viewers can also find out more about the restored Gearrannan Blackhouse Village on Lewis which has a new life as holiday accommodation.
Rural Housing will be broadcast from Monday, 8.30pm on BBC Alba.
