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Aerial view of Arnol, Lewis, Western Isles.
In 1844 Sir James Matheson (1796-1878) bought Lewis, and under his direction the land was surveyed and lotted out to tenants between 1849 and 1851. This is when most of the crofts on the island came into being. The houses which had to be built on the lotted land were often built as part of the dykes that divided the arable land from the common pasture.

The crofting township of Arnol is famous for its 'black houses'. Over 40 of these traditional dwellings remain in existence today, with one, No 45, open to the public as a museum. Black houses were the traditional homes of the islanders, and were built of stone and thatch.

Lewis and Harris are both parts of the same island, collectively known as 'the Long Island', which is the most northerly in the Outer Hebrides. Together they are about 95km in length and around 32km at the widest point. Most of Lewis is quite low-lying, whereas Harris is mountainous. Arnol is situated on the West coast of Lewis. This photograph was taken in 1973.

RAF photograph of Stornoway, Lewis, Western Isles, taken in 1949.

Engraving of Rodel harbour, Harris, Western Isles, by William Daniell, 1819.

Nunton Steading, Isle of Benbecula, Western Isles, photographed in 1998 before restoration.