Now that spring has sprung, it's time to start thinking about the perfect Easter getaway.
With the cost of living crisis continuing to hit households all over the UK, many people are simply unable to afford an international holiday. Fortunately, there are countless gorgeous and interesting Scottish spots that are well worth checking out.
From the Borders to Highlands, every corner of Scotland is bursting with natural beauty. If you're looking for a holiday with a twist, though, you might consider checking out Gearrannan Blackhouse Village.
Located on the Atlantic coast of the Isle of Lewis, this unique collection of houses will take you right back in time. It is believed that there has been a settlement on the site since at least the 1600s, though the houses that still stand to this day date back to the late 1800s.
The village today has become a popular tourist attraction, as it allows visitors to experience the history and heritage of crofting life. In centuries gone by, the blackhouses would be home to crofting families and their livestock.
Film buffs may recognise the village as the filming location for the movie The Road Dance. The film, based on the novel of the same name by STV presenter John MacKay, is about a young girl who lives in a small crofting community in the years leading up to World War One.
Gearrannan was inhabited all the way through to the early 1970s, at which point the remaining elderly residents moved away into homes that required less maintenance. Since then, the village has been designated a conservation area, and stands as one of the few remaining collections of blackhouses.
Today, the majority of the traditional cottages can be rented out as self-catered holiday accommodation, each one having its own character and sleeping anywhere from two to 14 people. One of the blackhouses is also a hostel, which offers accommodation for as little as £25 per night.
For those staying in Gearrannan Blackhouse Village, there is plenty to see and do. There is a museum where you can learn all about the village's history, as well as a café and gift shop that are perfect spots to relax in.
Outside of the village, there is also a wealth of walking trails and outdoor activities. According to the Gearrannan website, there is a waymarked route from the village to Dalmore Beach and onwards to Dalbeg Beach that altogether takes around three hours.
More information can be found on the Gearrannan Blackhouse Village website.
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here.
