Bosta
Crossing the bridge over the Atlantic from Lewis takes you to the charming island of Great Bernera, amongst its attractions is the Iron Age house at Bosta. It's set in a beautiful, sheltered bay, with views out over a smattering of rugged islets, a pure white sandy beach and a profusion of wild flowers throughout the summer.
The current house is a reproduction but informed by a detailed excavation of the original village, the foundations of which can still be seen alongside. Dating back to the 6th Century these homes remained hidden until 1996 when the crashing surf and gale force winds of a Hebridean storm stripped back the sands and revealed this archaeological treasure.
The type of building has been branded a ‘jelly bean house’ due to its ground plan. It has two rooms, one smaller and lower than the other - probably for storage, the larger would have been home for a whole family and would have been a hive of activity - possibly having a raised platform for sleeping. The village was located within a wee glen, and even though the landscape would have been different 2000 years ago, the houses would have been perfect for camouflage. During that period, warriors came by sea to attack coastal villages. With only thatched roofs showing in a small glen, they could quite easily be missed by passing ships.
This is very much a living attraction and the local expert can provide a wealth of knowledge, from herbs used in cooking and medicine, to pottery, toy making, candles from fish oil, spinning and weaving. This is all very hands on and explained by the light of the peat fire glowing in the central hearth.
Tours that may visit Bosta include:
Other places that may be of interest:
