Callanish Lewis, Western Isles. Theme - Archaeology Other themes: Scotland Callanish AR32, AR67, AR68, AR69, Callanish III AR70, AR71

Built on some of the oldest rocks in the British Isles, on the Scottish Isle of Lewis, is the spectacular stone circle and standing stone complex of Callanish (NB 213330).

Described by Martin Martin as "ye Heathen temple" in 1716 (Ref 1) it consists of a circle of thirteen tall ungraded stones (tallest 4.75 m) flattened on the eastern side (13.1 m x 11.3 m) and four linear features extending from the circle. One of these is an impressive avenue of standing stones, 82.3 m long heading NNE. Two others, heading west and slightly north of east, are stone rows, while heading south is what appears to be a second incomplete avenue. Thought to have been built between 1500 BC and 2000 BC the central circle also contains a chambered tomb which may have been added at a later date.

Callanish has been described as the second most important site after Stonehenge, a distinction shared with Avebury Henge.  There have been many theories relating its design to astronomy, but none of these appear to be universally accepted. There are also many local myths about its origin which include St.Kieran turning the resident giants into stone because they would not become Christians (Ref 2).

While "Callanish" (Gaelic "Calanais") is usually thought of as referring to a circle and its avenues there are three other stone circles in the immediate vicinity - Callanish II (Loch Roag NB 222325), Callanish III (Cnoc Philibhir NB 225325), and Callanish IV (Ceann Hulavig/Garynahine NB230303 - about 2 miles away but all are intervisible). We have two photos of Callanish III (AR70, AR71) and it is possible to make out Callanish II closer to the sea loch in AR71.