Wednesday 6 June 2012

The MacRaes - Day 4

DAY 4
We took it easy today, only travelling a few miles from the B&B as there was quite a bit to see locally. There is much of interest on the west coast of Lewis.  We were treated to a piggy chorus..... verra cunning.

John here: Tweed, Tweed, Tweed...we went to see a weaver, had a great weaving demo, beautiful material, saw one in red that I really liked but could not figure out how I would use it. Oh well!


Scot:  I bought the red - I'll use it for Handfasting wedding banns; a nice celebration colour.

Sally:   Today was the black house village and an original black house.  Hard to believe people lived in those dark places, especially in the winter.  The peat fire was just lit and filled the house with smoke - it smelled so special.  We also looked at an original Norse mill where they would grind flour.  Scot has been so knowledgeable, which is great.   



Scot:  I do like visiting the taigh tughadh, the thatched houses.  I seem to spend most of my time tutting at what the previous thatcher has called a "good job". I dare say the same happens to other thatchers when they see my work.  Cò-dhùi, the sun is shining, the wind is blowing (when is it not?) and after lunch we're off to see Dùn Charlobhaigh (the Carloway broch), that being a defensive tower 1600 years old.  It's ruined now and I'll tell the story of the man that broke it.