BBC Trusadh - Zinc Houses (2015)

Zinc houses have long been a part of the Scottish rural landscape. They can be seen dotted around the islands of the Western Isles - their natural, simple forms and colours fitting effortlessly into the island environment. Their story, though, is a bigger one, that had an impact on a worldwide scale.

Ewan MacKinnon is a builder who is originally from South Uist, but who now lives and works in Glasgow. He recalls how they impacted on his own life - good and bad - and takes a nostalgic and fascinating trip of discovery.

When they started to get built in the mid and early 19th century, it was considered to be the best technology of the day, and the appeal of these designs saw buildings built for royalty and also exported overseas.

We meet those who still live in them and hear about the many churches and schools which were made from zinc all over the country. We also see how their legacy lives on in the form of new modern designs, inspired by these iconic Scottish buildings - zinc houses.

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