This photograph shows several Blackhouses in the Gerrannann Blackhouse Village located on the Island of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides. For centuries the Blackhouses were traditional crofting houses of the Western Isles. These structures were built from local materials to cope with the harsh environment. They were topped with a thatched roof held down by netting and rocks with only a hole in the roof to let out smoke generated by a central hearth...hence the name "black" house. Unfortunately for us, since it was Sunday and since the populace in the area were very religious, the Blackhouses were not open for public viewing. It was a sunny day with temperatures in the 50's.