Callanish Stones, Outer Hebrides, United Kingdom

The Callanish Stones are an arrangement of standing stones placed in a cruciform pattern with a central stone circle. They were erected in the late Neolithic era, and were a focus for ritual activity during the Bronze Age. Archaeological excavation in the 1980s proved that the main circle was erected 4,500-5,000 years ago, and the chambered tomb a few generations later. The setting has a unique arrangement, with lines of stones radiating in four directions from the ring. It is not fully clear whether the stone alignments were constructed at the same time as the ring, or later. The layout of the site, along with many others across the British Isles, appears to have an association with astronomical events, the precise nature of which cannot be determined.

Numerous other ritual sites lie within a few kilometres. These are mainly more modest rings of standing stones, or single monoliths. The most impressive Cnoc Ceann a' Ghàrraidh and Cnoc Fhillibhir Bheag lie just over a kilometre south-east of the main Calanais ring, and originally consisted of rings of stones at least eight in number.

References:

Historic Environment Scotland

User Reviews

Anita Neal (9 months ago)
Loved visiting the Stones. Larger than I imagined and spread out over the site. The cafe is closed for refurbishment. Not sure why they didn't do that over the winter. Instead there is a van with limited offerings outside and only open places to sit. The current cafe area looked lovely so it was surprising to find it closed as it was obviously perfectly usesble.

Felicity Goodman (9 months ago)
Love going here and great to be able to walk amongst the stones. Dog (on leads)friendly. A lot of renovation of the visitors centre and cafe. Look forward to seeing it when it is finished.

Heather Bell (10 months ago)
Great to visit when it’s quieter. Visitor centre closed for refurbishment. Shop, outdoor cafe truck and toilets closed, check for opening hours. Really dramatic stones with tarmac path up the hill. Narrow gated entrances, restricting access for wheel chairs and buggies

Alexandra (10 months ago)
These were so impressive to see in person. Really breath taking. They have cool informational boards to read about it all. I only wish there were some way to protect the land a bit more as when we were there the ground was starting to wash out. A toilet would be nice too.

John Turnbull (2 years ago)
Great place to just chill and relax thinking about it's past.. The visitor centre is very good too with ample parking at the site. If your near, give it a visit, you will not be disappointed.

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Photo from Flickr, copyright Zvonimir Hrvoj

Historic Site of the week

Church of St Donatus

The Church of St Donatus name refers to Donatus of Zadar, who began construction on this church in the 9th century and ended it on the northeastern part of the Roman forum. It is the largest Pre-Romanesque building in Croatia.

The beginning of the building of the church was placed to the second half of the 8th century, and it is supposed to have been completed in the 9th century. The Zadar bishop and diplomat Donat (8th and 9th centuries) is credited with the building of the church. He led the representations of the Dalmatian cities to Constantinople and Charles the Great, which is why this church bears slight resemblance to Charlemagne's court chapels, especially the one in Aachen, and also to the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna. It belongs to the Pre-Romanesque architectural period.

The circular church, formerly domed, is 27 m high and is characterised by simplicity and technical primitivism.

Callanish Stones

Address

Details

More Information

Rating

Interesting Sites Nearby

User Reviews

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Finest Norman castles in Italy

Exploring the History of Northern Poland

Discovering Slovenia's Historic Wonders

Historic Site of the week

Church of St Donatus