Prehistoric center of Callanish on the Isle of Lewis • EnezGreen

The most famous megalithic site in Scotland

The site, which dates from the Stone Age, comprises some 50 stones including 13 arranged in a circle, at the centre of which is a large megalith and a more recently built tomb chamber.

The stones are raised on a bed of peat and rise up to 4 m high, adding to the enigmatic ambiance of the place. Various line-ups start from the circle towards the cardinal points. A double row of 19 stones resembles an 80m long avenue which sparks all sorts of irrational interpretations.

The origin of the megalithic site of Callanish

No discovery to date has shed light on the reasons behind the construction of such a monument, not even to understand its intent. Is it a religious site or an astronomical observatory? The most widespread hypothesis establishes a link between the arrangement of the stones and the astral calendar.

For Alexander Thom, his stones form a calendar based on the position of the Moon. He suggests that the alignment of the stones, looking south, points to the midsummer full moon behind a distant mountain called Clisham.

Similarities with other European prehistoric sites

The line-up of the west part could hence point towards the rising sun at the two equinoxes. Similarities have been observed with other prehistoric sites in Europe such as the one in Carnac in Brittany, in the west of France. This is a logical comparison since we are already talking about megalithic civilisation regarding this very ancient period.

While visiting the site bathed in a unique and enigmatic ambiance, you will easily find the inspiration to make your own hypotheses. The harmony of the place, however, leads to think that the peoples who lived there were well organised and certainly prosperous. The climate was much milder 4,000 years ago and could have contributed to this balance. The excavations undertaken and the analysis of plant seeds have in fact uncovered the existence at the time of various tree species such as pines, therefore confirming this assumption regarding the climate.

The guide to prehistoric monuments in Scotland provides relevant answers to the various questions pertaining to the presence of these megaliths, cairns and circles of standing stones in the Hebrides Islands.

Artistic and cultural center, key-features

An unmissable cultural site ★★

The site: the prehistoric site of Callanish is situated on the west coast of the Isle of Lewis, 20km from the main town of Stornoway, the port of call for ferries from the mainland. The place is well signposted when departing from the main road (A858). Set on top of a hill, the circle of raised stones also allows you to take in a very beautiful landscape with water features and hills covered with grass and heather. The site is a major prehistoric and cultural centre in Scotland and is in very good condition. It has been sensibly developed in order to welcome the nearly 40,000 tourists wandering around every year during the very short summer season.

A cultural heritage managed by the State since 1885 ★

History: the site’s stones are believed to have been raised in the Neolithic Age, between 4,500 and 5,000 years ago, according to Historic Scotland, whose main function is the safeguarding of the cultural heritage and its transmission to future generations. Knowing the importance of the moon and the sun in the daily life of successive generations in these islands until the 18th century, one can imagine – as suggested by the guide to prehistoric monuments in Scotland – that this prehistoric site could be linked to the stars. The books, ‘Description of the Western Islands of Scotland’ and ‘A Late Voyage to St Kilda’, written by Martin Martin and published in the 1700s, speak of the superstitions of the time. The moon and the sun, then considered as deities in spite of the presence of Christianity, had an influence on the daily life of the inhabitants of the time. In order to avoid certain excesses, the State took over the Calanais site in 1885. Its various actions in terms of archaeological research, restoration works, publishing and communication aimed at the general public, have allowed the gathering of the local population around a sustainable economic development project.

The site’s success: the management of the Calanais site is very successful. The megalithic centre has a much greater international reputation than a few hundred years back. Moreover, the economic spinoffs benefit local communities while enabling archaeology, civilisation and esotericism enthusiasts to carry on with their intellectual quest.

Quality welcome, organisation and service ★★

The information centre: a large building houses documentation and exhibition centre with various visual aids that help better understand the importance of the archaeological site for earlier generations of locals. The successful collaboration between the different state bodies and local collectivities led to the setting of this very pleasant centre. All major stakeholders such as Historic Scotland, an executive agency of the Scottish Government, responsible for historic monuments in the country, have played their part.

Ancillary services: a snack bar and a souvenir boutique complement the services available for tourists. The entire site is generally very well documented through a number of information boards. A parking area for vehicles is also available for visitors.