Hebrides Islands : Bosta Iron Age House, Isle of Great Bernera

Hebrides Islands : Bosta Iron Age House, Isle of Great Bernera

In 1992 a period of heavy storms eroded the sand dunes at Bosta beach revealing stone structures estimated to be from the 7th or 8th century, 600 - 700AD. (The vikings arrived around 790AD)

The site was excavated, and in 1996 the structures were identified as a late Iron Age village, consisting of nine buildings connected by tunnels. This village is considered to be one of the best preserved in Scotland.

A replica of one of the dwellings was constructed, and during the summer months it is open to visitors.

A guide is on hand to keep the peat fire burning, and there things such as scallop shells with wick and burning oil, meat drying on lines, it is easy to get a real impression of what it was like to live there when the village was inhabited.

The building can be looked at from the outside at any time of year, you can see the construction, thatch roof, stone walls, and the cunning design of the sunken stairwell, leading to a door well protected ffrom the elements, also getting a sense of place.

Photograph © Debbie Bozkurt
Bosta Iron Age House - Isle of Great Bernera - Outer Hebrides (Western Isles)

The Outer Hebrides are a chain of Islands off the North-West coast of Scotland.

 

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