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Stonehenge Sacred Symbolism - Ancient Beliefs in Britain and Northern Europe

Stonehenge Sacred Symbolism - Ancient Beliefs in Britain and Northern Europe

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<< Our Photo Pages >> Callanish - Stone Circle in Scotland in Isle of Lewis

Submitted by Andy B on Thursday, 25 August 2022  Page Views: 61213

Neolithic and Bronze AgeSite Name: Callanish Alternative Name: Calanais, Calanis Visitor Centre
Country: Scotland County: Isle of Lewis Type: Stone Circle
Nearest Town: Stornoway  Nearest Village: Callanish
Map Ref: NB2129833013  Landranger Map Number: 8
Latitude: 58.197535N  Longitude: 6.745138W
Condition:
5Perfect
4Almost Perfect
3Reasonable but with some damage
2Ruined but still recognisable as an ancient site
1Pretty much destroyed, possibly visible as crop marks
0No data.
-1Completely destroyed
 5 Ambience:
5Superb
4Good
3Ordinary
2Not Good
1Awful
0No data.
 5 Access:
5Can be driven to, probably with disabled access
4Short walk on a footpath
3Requiring a bit more of a walk
2A long walk
1In the middle of nowhere, a nightmare to find
0No data.
 4 Accuracy:
5co-ordinates taken by GPS or official recorded co-ordinates
4co-ordinates scaled from a detailed map
3co-ordinates scaled from a bad map
2co-ordinates of the nearest village
1co-ordinates of the nearest town
0no data
 5

Internal Links:
External Links:

I have visited· I would like to visit

MartinJEley Spider990 would like to visit

RalphTuttle visited on 24th Jul 2019 - their rating: Cond: 5 Amb: 5 Access: 4

markhewins visited on 1st Jul 2016 Super blustery day. Too many people tho'. We'' be back in the camper van in the winter.

SandyG visited on 29th Aug 2014 - their rating: Cond: 5 Amb: 5 Access: 5

foxhat visited on 1st Jul 2010 - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 5 Access: 4 Atmospheric. I suspect the avenues weren't just a processionary route. Their interaction with the circle stones suggest weaving in and out rather than a direct route to the centre.

jeffrep visited on 25th Aug 2007 - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 5 Access: 4

BolshieBoris visited on 1st Jul 2004 - their rating: Cond: 5 Amb: 5 Access: 5

smparry123 visited - their rating: Cond: 5 Amb: 5 Access: 5

kith visited - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 5 Access: 4

rrmoser visited Major site amazing. go early or late

psalmster Bladup PAB Andy B AngieLake mrcrow MegalithJunkie have visited here

Average ratings for this site from all visit loggers: Condition: 4.57 Ambience: 5 Access: 4.43

Callanish I
Callanish I submitted by terryj : During the hour or so we were at callanish, the weather changed from bright sunshine to heavy rain to hail, and then back to sunshine with a beutiful rainbow. Photo by Terry Grace (Vote or comment on this photo)
Callanish, or Calanis is an amazing group of stone circles, avenues and other standing stones on the Isle of Lewis. We have many photos of each site, including exclusive aerial views. See below and on the individual site pages linked for more detail of the various component sites.

The Calanis Visitor Centre is at calanais.org

See also our pages on the Lunar Standstill 2006.

An unusual aerial view of Callanish I from the south, showing the small hilltop which overlooks the stones. A low level Kite Aerial Photograph by Hamish Fenton, see further down the page

Note: For Scottish Archaeology month, two talks coming up at Callanish - Alison Sheridan: Calanais in Context: new light on a ceremonial landscape in Lewis, 15th September and Mike Copper: Sunken Treasures: Making Sense of Hebridean Neolithic Pottery, 22nd Sept. Details in the comments on our page
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 More pictures in our eGallery: Callanish

Callanish I
Callanish I submitted by swhitehead : Callanish (Calanais) I and the North Avenue Cat A (8 comments - Vote or comment on this photo)

Callanish 4
Callanish 4 submitted by LivingRocks : Solstice eve, June 2005. (3 comments - Vote or comment on this photo)

Callanish I Air 1
Callanish I Air 1 submitted by JJ : (2 comments - Vote or comment on this photo)

Callanish I
Callanish I submitted by TysonM : Incredible sight! Rivals Stonehenge in scale. Callanish is gorgeous at sunset all year round!! (3 comments - Vote or comment on this photo)

Callanish I
Callanish I submitted by cole007 : Missed the solstice by a week or so but first time i'd been there and the sun was a shining.... (3 comments)

Callanish
Callanish submitted by SandyG : The centre piece. View from above and south west. (5 comments)

Callanish I
Callanish I submitted by Flickr : Callanish Glow PAB: I liked the Orkney photo so much, I thought folk on the Portal might be as keen on this one as I was Major Aurora storm last night, this is taken from the Callanish Stones on the Isle of Lewis Image copyright: M+M Morrison (Matthew Morrison), hosted on Flickr and displayed under the terms of their API. (7 comments)

Callanish I
Callanish I submitted by scubadoc : Lewis 2016 82 366 Callanish (Calanais) b Callanish dawn. Lewis 2016 Image copyright: tdpriest (Tim Priest), hosted on Flickr and displayed under the terms of their API. (2 comments)

Callanish I
Callanish I submitted by h_fenton : Callanish I from the south, showing the small hilltop which overlooks the stones. A low level Kite Aerial Photograph 7 September 2018 (3 comments)

Callanish I
Callanish I submitted by jeffrep : Callanish I, Isle of Lewis, Outer Hebrides, Scotland (2 comments)

Callanish 3
Callanish 3 submitted by swhitehead : The symbolic earthgoddess figure, Cailleach na Mointeach (old woman of the moors) seen clearly on the horizon from Callanish III. Cat A (4 comments)

Callanish 3
Callanish 3 submitted by jayney : Solstice 2001 (5 comments)

Callanish I
Callanish I submitted by steveco : Callanish in Summer (2 comments)

Callanish I
Callanish I submitted by chrispy : Callanish 1 june 2009 at sunset showing the central circle (2 comments)

Callanish 3
Callanish 3 submitted by JJ : (1 comment)

Callanish 3
Callanish 3 submitted by steveco : Callanish 3 (Cnoc Fillibhir Bheag) NB225327. Winter view. (1 comment)

Callanish I
Callanish I submitted by Flickr : Aurora Site in Isle of Lewis Scotland Image copyright: M+M Morrison (Matthew Morrison), hosted on Flickr and displayed under the terms of their API.

Callanish I
Callanish I submitted by pab : Early morning - 4.22 to be precise! How wonderful to be able to visit such a place at any time of day or night - thank you to the good people of the local community for keeping it this way! A very atmospheric time and place. I haven't tried to lighten etc this photo, so I realise it lacks detail, but this is just how it was. May 2011 (2 comments)

Callanish I
Callanish I submitted by pab : Evening at Callanish, May 2011. Beautiful light, glorious place. (2 comments)

Callanish Sleeping Beauty
Callanish Sleeping Beauty submitted by Gerald_Ponting : The Sleeping Beauty figure seen on the horizon. It was taken in winter, hence the drifts of peat-smoke from Callanish village, some time in the early 1980s. It's taken from a spot about half a mile to the ENE of the Callanish main site, but the impression would be the same from anywhere in the immediate area. From the Achmore site, another nearer hill 'becomes involved' making her look pregnant. (3 comments)

Callanish I
Callanish I submitted by swatson : I know you have many pictures of this site already but I don't think you can have too much of a good thing. (1 comment)

Callanish I
Callanish I submitted by AngieLake : I call this stone 'Derby and Joan', as it reminds me of a loving couple hugging each other. Can you see the same? It is one of the stones of the west side of the north avenue at Callanish. (5 comments)

Callanish I
Callanish I submitted by Ingo Bauer : Callanish 1 After we had taken a few fotos on a cloudy afternoon, suddenly the sun came out and we felt, that we had to continue to make fotos with sunlight. It was a wunderful moment, because we visited the place only for a few hours. (1 comment)

Callanish I
Callanish I submitted by Catherine Stallybrass : This is, at least to my mind, the most beautiful megalithic site anywhere! We were lucky enough to visit on a perfect evening when the full moon rose straight opposite the setting sun - the only problem was which way to take photos! (2 comments)

These are just the first 25 photos of Callanish. If you log in with a free user account you will be able to see our entire collection.

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There is more between heaven and earth by Victor Reijs
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Nearby sites listing. In the following links * = Image available
 13m WSW 247° Callanish I* Stone Circle (NB2128633009)
 507m ENE 76° Callanish 19* Stone Circle (NB218331)
 785m N 356° Callanish 16* Standing Stone (Menhir) (NB213338)
 995m ESE 110° Callanish 2* Stone Circle (NB2221432614)
 1.0km ESE 116° Loch Roag Timber Circle (NB222325)
 1.1km N 6° Callanish 13* Standing Stones (NB215341)
 1.2km E 100° Callanish 3* Stone Circle (NB2251532710)
 1.5km E 90° Callanish 14* Standing Stone (Menhir) (NB228329)
 1.7km ESE 120° Cnoc Fillibhir Mhor* Stone Row / Alignment (NB22683207)
 1.8km ENE 66° Callanish 10* Stone Circle (NB22973362)
 1.8km NNE 12° Olcote Kerbed Cairn* Cairn (NB2179634733)
 2.0km N 3° Callanish 12* Standing Stone (Menhir) (NB2155634967)
 2.5km N 351° Cnoc a Phrionnsa* Chambered Cairn (NB211355)
 2.6km ESE 109° Callanish 17* Stone Circle (NB237320)
 2.8km NNE 15° Callanish 11* Standing Stone (Menhir) (NB22233569)
 3.1km SE 143° Callanish 4* Stone Circle (NB2298830412)
 3.4km SE 142° Callanish 7* Ancient Mine, Quarry or other Industry (NB232302)
 3.8km SE 142° Callanish 5* Stone Row / Alignment (NB23432990)
 3.9km SE 145° Callanish 9* Standing Stones (NB233297)
 3.9km WNW 288° Callanish 15* Standing Stone (Menhir) (NB177345)
 4.3km SE 125° Callanish 6* Standing Stones (NB24653034)
 4.7km WNW 282° Dun Barraglom Broch or Nuraghe (NB16773435)
 4.8km WNW 282° Barraglom Cup-Marked Rock Rock Art (NB167343)
 4.9km SE 137° Callanish 18* Standing Stone (Menhir) (NB24402923)
 4.9km W 278° Callanish 8A* Standing Stone (Menhir) (NB165340)
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Callanish, Gerald Ponting

Callanish, Gerald Ponting

Web Links for Callanish

There is more between heaven and earth by Victor Reijs
Stone Pages (Still Images) by Arosio and Meozzi
Megalithic Mysteries by Andy Burnham
Stone Pages (QuickTime VR) by Arosio and Meozzi
Stone Pages Tour by Arosio and Meozzi

Archived Web links for Callanish

STILE by Clive Ruggles
Ancient Sites Directory by Chris Tweed
Paul Kenyon`s Database by Paul Kenyon

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"Callanish" | Login/Create an Account | 14 News and Comments
  
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Calanais in Context: new light on a ceremonial landscape in Lewis, 15th Sept 2022 by Andy B on Thursday, 25 August 2022
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Calanais Visitor Centre, Calanais, Isle of Lewis, HS2 9DY
15th September 2022 @ 7:30pm

Lecture by eminent prehistorian, Dr Alison Sheridan. The world-famous and awe-inspiring Calanais Stones attract 150,000 visitors each year, many of whom believe the site to be steeped in mystery. This lecture will demystify this complex monument, explaining what it is, what parts were built when, why it was built, and how it was used. It will also set the monument within its broader archaeological context, highlighting the amazing journeys made by its builders and users nearly 5000 years ago.

https://www.archaeologyscotland.org.uk/event/calanais-in-context-new-light-on-a-ceremonial-landscape-in-lewis/
[ Reply to This ]
    Re: Calanais in Context: new light on a ceremonial landscape in Lewis, 15th Sept 2022 by Andy B on Thursday, 25 August 2022
    (User Info | Send a Message)
    If you can't make it to Lewis they have posted a Zoom version of this talk from Dr Alison:
    New light on a ceremonial landscape.



    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7v3NUpG8mXQ

    [ Reply to This ]
    Re: Calanais in Context: new light on a ceremonial landscape in Lewis, 15th Sept 2022 by AngieLake on Friday, 26 August 2022
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    Attn Andy B: Noticed Calanais is spelled Calanis twice in intro at top of site page. Is that another spelling? When I went in 2001 it was Calanais.
    [ Reply to This ]

Talk: Sunken Treasures: Making Sense of Hebridean Neolithic Pottery, 22nd Sept 2022 by Andy B on Thursday, 25 August 2022
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Calanais Visitor Centre, Calanais, Isle of Lewis, HS2 9DY
22nd September 2022 @ 7:30pm

Lecture by Dr Mike Copper. The recent discovery across the Outer Hebrides of a series of artificial islets whose origins date to the 4th millennium BC has fascinated and intrigued archaeologists. Of particular interest are the large assemblages of well-made and elaborately decorated pottery recovered from the loch beds around the islets as well as on some of the islets themselves. This lecture gives the low-down on this pottery.

https://calanais.org/

More at: https://www.archaeologyscotland.org.uk/event/sunken-treasures-making-sense-of-hebridean-neolithic-pottery/

Part of Scottish Archaeology Month 2022
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Callanish features in Call the Midwife Christmas Special 2019 by AngieLake on Sunday, 29 December 2019
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I missed 'Call the Midwife' on Christmas Day so watched it on i-Player tonight.
The episode was set in Lewis and Harris in the Outer Hebrides, so for anyone who hasn't visited the island it provides some good shots of the landscape, and also features the beautiful stones of Callanish (1) near the end of the episode.
Look at approx 1 hr 18 minutes.
One of the nuns is featured walking inside the circle and touching a stone, before she sees a white stag... then the other two (Jenny Agutter and Miriam Margolyes) catch up with her. According to the following item online, it was pouring with rain when they filmed there! What a shame for them.
I googled for further info and found this item:
https://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2019-12-25/call-the-midwife-2019-christmas-special-filming-locations/
I was so lucky on the one occasion I'd visited the circle, in 2001, to have good weather during the afternoon, and again at midnight in the circle on my own.
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Callanish by Andy B on Wednesday, 09 May 2018
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Interesting bit about the naming:

Although the Callanish Stones in Lewis, are often referred to as Clachan Chalanais, the correct term (and the one found on signs) is actually Tursachan Chalanais – pronounced Toor-sakh-khan Khalanish.

Over the years, there have been various attempts to explain the meaning of Tursa in this context. Theories ranged from theorising that since the stone circle was a solemn place it must be related to tùrsach, meaning sad. Others attempted to link it to the word turas, meaning journey, because pilgrims might travel there. Scholars believe it is related to the Old Norse word Tursa, which meant giant, because the stones, especially the central ones, do tower over people. The current Gaelic name of Calanais is much more recent than the stones themselves.

More at
http://caledonianmercury.com/2010/11/08/useful-gaelic-word-clach/0011755
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Callanish by Scotaviaimages on Sunday, 01 September 2013
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There could be an alternative place for visitors soon,the Blackhouse with the damaged roof just by the stones is up for sale. That would be an incredible place to live in. http://www.western-isles-properties.co.uk/property.php?id=641
You can see it in my aerial view which i am posting today.
[ Reply to This ]

Major refurb for Callanish Visitor Centre by Andy B on Monday, 10 May 2010
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A MAJOR increase in visitor numbers to the Calanais Visitor Centre on the west coast of the Isle of Lewis has led to an upgrade of its facilities.

Work has been completed this week to extend the kitchen and restaurant area at the centre which is owned by the Urras nan Tursachan social enterprise and is situated near the world famous Calanais Standing Stones where it provides an exhibition, a gift shop and a cafeteria.

More at
http://www.stornowaygazette.co.uk/news/Major-refurb-for-Callanish-Visitor.6273640.jp
[ Reply to This ]

Visits to Calanais Standing Stones on Lewis rising by Andy B on Monday, 10 May 2010
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A scheme offering lower fares on ferry routes to the Western Isles has been suggested as a reason for more visits to the Calanais Standing Stones.

The rise has led to an £85,050 expansion of the visitor centre near the 5,000-year-old site on Lewis.

Manager Angus Alex Mackenzie said 26,000 people came visited the site from April 2008 to March 2009 - about 40% more than the previous 12 months.

He said the rise followed the start of the road equivalent tariff (RET).

Launched in 2008, the Scottish government scheme bases the cost of travelling on the equivalent distance by road.

Western Isles council - Comhairle nan Eilean Siar - and Highlands and Islands Enterprise have contributed towards the costs of upgrading the centre.

Work on extending the kitchen and restaurant has been completed as part of a wider expansion of the building.

Source:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/highlands_and_islands/8661782.stm
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Web-Cams at Calanais, Lewis, Scotland by cerrig on Tuesday, 16 March 2010
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street view



View Larger Map
[ Reply to This ]
    Re: Web-Cams at Calanais, Lewis, Scotland by Andy B on Tuesday, 16 March 2010
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    Beautiful day for it too. They went to Orkney, I hadn't checked Lewis, excellent (he said strictly impartially)
    [ Reply to This ]

Web-Cams at Calanais, Lewis, Scotland by Anonymous on Sunday, 23 October 2005

A pilot is running from Oct. 20 until Oct. 26th 2005 from Callanish I,
to catch the near northern major standstill event (moon set) with cam2.
Watch say between 12:00 and 15:30 GMT (varies over the days)

http://www.iol.ie/~geniet/callanish/
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Callanish by Anonymous on Monday, 16 August 2004
100% better than glastonbury, if you are a fan of circles, then this can't be missed, you haven't lived until you have experienced callanish, the area is full of megalithic sites, truly awesome
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