Lost in the mists of time and lost beneath the peat
The most famous prehistoric stone monument in Scotland spent much of its life under the living blanket of peat which covers much of the islands. By 1857 just the tips of a few stones peeped out of the bog when the island’s landowner Sir James Matheson decided to excavate. Nearly two metres of peat later - Callanish - this wonderful and powerful monument from 5000 years ago was exposed.
Towering almost 5 metres into the skies
Four rows of ancient stones radiate outward from a stone circle, forming a rough cross shape. At the centre is a huge 4.8 metre tall monolith looking over a stone burial kist that nestles within the circle. Standing on a rise overlooking fresh and salt water lochs dotted with tiny islands, the site dominates its landscape.
Older than the Pyramids of Egypt
Long before the pyramids of Egypt were built, the northern and western isles of Scotland were a centre of sophisticated monumental building which radiated out and south to influence later monuments such as Stonehenge. These stones of 300 million year old Lewisian gneiss - some of the oldest rock on the planet - were chosen, hauled, and precisely placed by our Neolithic ancestors using only stone tools, strength and great skill. It is an awe-inspiring place.
Shrouded in mystery
Callanish was, and is, a place of power, a very special place and one that must be experienced. The sense of its importance is increased when we realise that there are at least 15 other stone circles and standing stones nearby.We do not know why it was built or what rituals and activities went on there. Pottery and other finds show that this was a thriving and sophisticated society and that these islands have been the centre of a wider culture that traded by sea. Perhaps it was a kind of a place to come close to the gods, a place of ceremony, a place to watch the movements of the moon and stars?
These Callanish monuments were ... well… that will always be for the awe-struck visitor to ponder and dream.
CALANAIS VISITOR CENTRE 2025
Please note that the Calanais Visitor Centre will rbe closed in 2025 as a result of exciting renovation work at the centre. This means the carpark is out of use and there will be no facilities at the centre. The Calanais Standing Stones will remain open but please note there is severely restricted parking for cars, no parking for coaches and no access to the stones via the visitor centre site. Drivers are advised to park on the shore road (if there is space) and follow the signs to walk up the hill to the stones. Please follow this page for updates.
There are bus services from Stornoway to Callanish.
