Description

If I had to describe a typical island house, this would be it. Its occupants will have lived downstairs initially. Then, when children came along, the loft space would have been converted, with the addition of storm windows. The byre would have been added once the family were safe and secure in the main house. And the lean-to will have been a later addition, sometimes just used as a shed for tools and things that were being saved for that time in the future when they would become useful once again. The windows would be small to minimise heat loss. The back of the house would face towards the west or the southwest, and have few, if any windows, to give maximum shelter from the prevailing winds. The roof would be made of slates, which would rattle in the strong winds. And there would have been a peat fire burning most days of the year, keeping everyone inside warm and cosy, regardless of what might be happening outside. Yep, this is it!