Callanish Stones
A cross-shaped setting of standing stones on a ridge above Loch Roag, raised 5,000 years ago, before Stonehenge.
Welcome
The Callanish Stones, Calanais in Gaelic, stand on a prominent ridge west of Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis, visible for miles from land and sea: a cross-shaped setting of stones raised between 2900 and 2600 BC, before the main circle at Stonehenge, and a place of ritual for perhaps 2,000 years.
At the heart stands a monolith 4.8 metres tall inside a ring of stones, with a small chambered tomb within the circle. Lines of smaller stones run out to the east, west and south, and an avenue 83 metres long runs north between two rows that narrow as they near the circle.
No one knows why the stones were raised. The best guess is that they were a kind of observatory: every 18.6 years the moon skims especially low over the southern hills and seems to dance along them. Peat later covered the site, and cutting in 1857 revealed the stones' true height. At least eleven smaller circles lie in the country round about.
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Before you go
The stones are west of Stornoway, off the A858.
Historic Environment Scotland cares for the monument, and the local charity Urras nan Tursachan runs the visitor centre beside it.
- Getting there
- CalMac ferry from Ullapool to Stornoway, 2 hours 45 minutes; or from Skye to Harris and drive north.
- Where
- West of Stornoway, Isle of Lewis.
- Visitor centre
- Run by Urras nan Tursachan.
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Add your reviewWhere it is
Callanish, west of Stornoway, Isle of Lewis.
Callanish AlpacasUnder a mile 3 min by road
Hebridean Copper Kettle FudgeA roadside honesty box at Breasclete on Lewis selling fudge made in a copper kettle, along with home baking and eggs.2 miles 4 min by road
Dun Carloway BrochA 2,000-year-old broch tower on a rocky knoll near Carloway, still standing nine metres tall.6 miles 11 min by road
Gearrannan Blackhouse VillageA village of nine restored thatched blackhouses by the sea at Garenin, lived in until 1974.9 miles 18 min by road
Dalmore BeachA sandy surf beach between cliffs on the west coast of Lewis, with sea stacks and an old cemetery above.10 miles 18 min by road
Stay nearby
Places to stay near the stones, and when each is next free.
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Read on
What we have written about it and more in the Outer Hebrides.
Find out more
For further reading, before you go. The details on this page were checked on .