Dating from 2900-2600 BC, the Callanish Stones (Gaelic: Clachan Chalanais or Tursachan Chalanais) on the Isle of Lewis consist of a large stone circle surrounding a burial chamber and four avenues of stones leading away from the site on four sides. Moonrise at the time of the 18.6-year lunar standstill aligns significantly with this landscape.The Callanish Stones consist of a stone circle of thirteen stones with a monolith near the middle. Critics of these theories argue that several alignments are likely to exist purely by chance in any such structure, and many factors such as the weathering and displacement of the stones over the millennia mean there can be no certainty of any alignments, original or otherwise.Between the central and the eastern monolith of the stone circle is a chambered tomb 6.4 metres long. These pottery fragments included not only the local Hebridean pots, but numerous sherds of beaker vessels (dating to around 2000–1700 BC) and sherds of grooved ware.As well as the two stone rows of the avenue, there are three stone rows connecting to the circle. It is not necessarily an original part of the site.Around 1500–1000 BC the complex fell out of use and was despoiled by the later Bronze Age farmers. The atmospheric Standing Stones of Callanish on Lewis are older than Stonehenge. This may have been just ordinary agriculture, but it may conceivably have been ritual cleansing. Five rows of standing stones connect to this circle. People all over the UK celebrate the longest day at landmarks throughout Britain including, most famously, Stonehenge. The most impressive – Callanish II and Callanish III – lie just over a kilometre southeast of the main Callanish Stones, and originally consisted of circles of stones at least eight in number. It really is a miracle that these stones have stood on the Isle of Lewis for thousands of years largely undamaged The largest stone is 3.5 metres high and stands on the western end of the row. The 13 primary stones form a circle about 13 m in … Callanish 3 - Cnoc Fhillibhir Bheag (pronounced approx. This incredible area has three different sets of standing stones:You’ll find the Callanish Standing Stones near Loch Roag on the Isle of Lewis laid out in a cross formation. Wandering across the desolate wind-swept moors of the Isle of Lewis, the farmer came upon a single large stone jutting from the ground. Another ancient building nearby is the massive Iron Age roundhouse known as Dun Carloway. The avenue is 83.2 metres long. Our guides know the area well and can take you on excellent hikes that combine coastal walks with visits to these incredible sites.It seems too much of an incredible coincidence that it wasn’t the intention of the ancient people of Scotland.The longest day of the year, or the summer solstice, occurs once a year around 21st June.
From the circle the height of the stones decreases towards the middle of the avenue; from there the height increases again. It is estimated that the place was abandoned around 800 BC. Another legend is that early on midsummer morning an entity known as the "Shining One" walks the length of the avenue, his coming heralded by the call of the cuckoo.None of the stone rows is aimed at the centre of the stone circle. In the 17th century the people of Lewis were calling the stones fir bhrèige ("false men"). Within the stone circle is a chambered tomb to the east of the central stone.In 1857 peat to a depth of five feet (1.5 metres) was cleared away, under the orders of the proprietor of Lewis, James Matheson, revealing the chambered tomb and the true height of the stones. During those periods the stones in the center of the ring became the focus of ceremonial actions. A tomb was later built into the site. The site was built between 2900 and 2600 BC, though there were possibly earlier buildings before 3000 BC. Thus the fairies magic was believed to be at their most powerful.We are open and running trips / Covid-19 Travel Advice »Believe it or not, the ancient Standing Stones of Callanish are not the only ones in Scotland. As he dug deeper into the earth, other stones began to appear until finally he had brought to light the ancient ring of Callanish.
Our online shop is closed at the moment whilst our website is updated. The Standing Stones of Callanish (or Calanais to give it it’s Gaelic spelling)? The Callanish Stones consist of a stone circle of thirteen stones with a monolith near the middle. The stones have an average height of three metres. The atmospheric setting and pale silvery stones of Callanish have made the site an icon of ancient Scotland, inspiring generations of artists, poets and photographers - as well as the average visitor - with its ethereal beauty. The site of Callanish was abandoned and the slow-growing peat moss relentlessly inched up and over the standing stones.According to this author's interpretations, the ring of Callanish, like many other similar structures in Europe, had both an astronomical observation function and a sacred temple function. The site was built between 2900 and 2600 BC, though there were possibly earlier buildings before 3000 BC.