Calanais, Scotland

Idea About: place

Country: United Kingdom

Callanish central stones
Kristi Herbert CC Attribution 2.0 License

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Idea Description

General Information

Country: United Kingdom (10)
Location Info: City: Stornoway Province/State: Scotland
Idea About: place (99)
Type of Travel: history (63) | outdoor and adventure (46)
Features: landscape (51) | mystery (28) | sacred place and sanctuary (40)
Recommended for: family (60) | senior (53) | student (49)
Budget: budget (80) | mainstream (85) | expensive (42)
Region: Western Europe (47)

Description

The Calanais or the Callanish Stones, are located near the village of Callanish (Gaelic: Calanais) on the west coast of the Isle of Lewis, in the Outer Hebrides (Western Isles), Scotland. There are 13 stones (11 feet or 3.5 metes high) which form a circle around a knife like central monolith about 15.5 feet tall (4.75 meters). A long alley of stones leads to the north, and shorter stone rows run to the east, south, and west. Pottery found on the site shows that the stones were erected approximately at 2200 BC.

There are a lot of theories explaining the origins of the site. Some scientists believe in astronomical significance of the stones but so far this looks like a mere speculation. On the other hand, according to legend, giants who lived on the island refused to be converted to Christianity and were turned into stones as a punishment. There is no doubt that the site was a sacred place for ancient people and till present time it retains the feeling of mystery. The stones are believed to be taken from the local ridge and considered to be a gneiss (a common and widely spread type of rock).

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What Makes It Special

The aura of enchantment, mystery and marvel surrounds the stones of Calanais. Recent excavations show that the site was not constructed in the wilderness but in the middle of fertile area, surrounded by homes and farms. The mystery remains regarding the goal that builders pursued in erecting the stones. Was it a calendar? A temple? A burial site? This question is still not answered.

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Directions To Destination

The Isle of Lewis may be reached by regular ferries from Ullapool, (small town in Ross and Cromarty, Highland, Scotland) to Stornoway, (a town and a port on the Isle of Lewis, in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland). The trip is about 2.5 hours. From the port it is only a four-minute walk to Stornoway. From Stornoway bus station, take Galson Motors bus to Calanais visitor center (30 minutes).

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Best Time To Go

The most attractive weather to go is from May to September. The least number of rainy days is during this period. The weather is usually cool and there are sudden changes from sun to rain on the Isle of Lewis.

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Where To Stay

- Broad Bay House, Stornoway, rated five star- rooms from: £99.00.
- Caberfeidh Hotel, three star - rooms from £88.00, on the outskirts of Stornoway. Located on 8 acres, it overlooks the historic Lews Castle ground.
- Thorlee Guest House, three star - rooms from £35.00, city, town center, main shopping area, theatre-entertainment area. Research and book hotels in or near Ullapool, United Kingdom

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Activities

Sightseeing, whale watching. The Hebridean Celtic Festival, an international Celtic music festival, held annually in Stornoway. Hebridean Celtic Festivals usually take place in July.

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Useful Visitor Information and Tips

There are three more places to visit in the area: Calanais II, Calanais III and Carloway Broch, an ancient fortification on the top of the cliff. Allocate one night to stay (however, if you want to visit the Hebridean Celtic Festival you'll need more time). Archeological site of Calanais Opened:
- Summer: 1 April - 30 September, Mon through Sunday, 10.00am - 6.00pm
- Winter: 1 October - 31 March, Wed Thu Fri Sat, 10.00am - 4.00pm
Admission is free all year round.

If you are in the area, consider visiting Uig Sands and other sand beaches on Lewis (see travel idea Uig Sands and Other Sand Beaches on Isle of Lewis (Scotland))

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Additional Information

Tags: Calanais; Calanais II; Calanais III; Callanish Stones (2); Carloway Broch; Hebridean Celtic Festival; Isle of Lewis (2); Lews Castle; Scotland (2); Stornoway (2); United Kingdom (7); village of Callanish

Web Sites: Isle of Lewis

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