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There have been many mysteries throughout history but one that still puzzles historians and archaeologists alike is the mystery of stone circles. No one is exactly sure why these massive Neolithic/Early Bronze Age structures are dotted across the British countryside and make up some of the oldest sites in the country.
Stone circles have become well known in both history and popular culture, with the most famous example being England’s Stonehenge. And while there is no doubt that Stonehenge is impressive, Scotland has equally, if not more, impressive stone circles of its own. And the most famous of the Scottish stone circles is the Calanais Standing Stones.
Located on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland, the Calanais Standing Stones, (also referred to as the Callanish Standing Stones, or Tursachan Chalanais in Scottish Gaelic), are some of the oldest known standing stones in the world. Erected 5,000 years ago, they pre-date England’s Stonehenge and are so well intact that they are one of the world’s greatest examples of the Neolithic stone structures. While the true history of Scottish stone circles are unknown, Calanais welcomes thousands of visitors each year to marvel at the stones and get lost in the mystery.
What are Standing Stones?
Standing stones are large Neolithic structures that were mainly erected in western Europe, thousands of years ago. As the name suggests, they consist of large vertical stones that are placed in a way that makes them appear as though they are ‘standing’ in a circle. These fascinating structures clearly took some effort to arrange as some stones have been found to weigh up to 10 tonnes each. But why was such a massive effort taken to erect these stones? No one knows for sure.
There is however little doubt that stone circles were a focal point for important rituals and community events and while we don’t know their exact meaning, there are a few common theories. The most widely held belief is that the stone circles were erected as some kind of astronomical observatory. Many believe the circles were created to trace movements of the sun and moon and researchers have been able to pick out similar patterns among various stone circle sites.
Others believe that the sites are monuments to the dead and burial chambers have been found within some circles, including Calanais. There are also those who believe that stone circles were created as a symbol of strength and power that was shown off between different communities. While we may never know the exact truth, what can be agreed on is the fact that these stone circles played an important role in the community and culture of the time.
Calanais Standing Stones
As with all stone circles, the exact history and purpose of Calanais is unknown, but the most commonly held belief is that it was built as an observatory. The circle consists of 13 stones, with a monolith in the centre that reaches about 4.8 metres high. There is also a chambered tomb that archaeologists uncovered in the circle, though the tomb is not believed to have been a part of the original site.
It is fascinating to walk around the stone circle and unlike some other similar sites, visitors can actually get up close to the stones. There is also an exhibition called the “Story of the Stones” that visitors can walk through, which gives an overview of the history of the site. There is also a lovely gift shop and café that makes for a perfect lunch stop while exploring the Isle of Lewis.
The Calanais Standing Stones site is looked after by Urras nan Turscachan (or the Standing Stones Trust) who have been operating the site for over 25 years. The Trust has an interesting history in itself as it supports research and sustainable tourism in the Outer Hebrides. You can learn more about Urras nan Tursachan by visiting their website here.
Fictional Locations Based on the Calanais Standing Stones
The mystery of stone circles has also made its way into popular culture and Calanais has provided inspiration for a number of fictional locations. You may think the stone circles you see on television or in the movies were inspired by Stonehenge but below are locations actually based on the Scottish site.
If you’ve read Diana Gabaldon’s popular Outlander series, you’ll understand the power of standing stones and the famous time portal of Craigh na Dun. You might also have found yourself wondering if the standing stones in Outlander really exist and the answer is… kind of! The premise of the standing stones in Outlander is based on Scottish stone circles generally and while the stones in the TV series are fictional, it is believed their look was inspired by Calanais. You’ll notice the fictional stones in the TV series have a striking resemblance to the original site.
Outlander is not the only place on the screen that you might have seen something reminiscent of Calanais. While researching in Scotland for Disney’s Pixar film Brave, Pixar staff are said to have visited Calanais on a research trip to Scotland. It is believed they took inspiration from Calanais for the Ring of Stones featured in the animated film and the magical happenings around it.
The site is also a popular filming location and fans of Call the Midwife might recognize the standing stones from the 2019 Christmas special that was filmed on the Isle of Lewis and Harris.
Key Information for Visiting Calanais Standing Stones
How much does it cost to visit?
The Calanais Standing Stones are free to visit, though they do recommend pre-booking in advance for groups. If visiting the Story of the Stones exhibition (which is highly recommended) there is a small cost for entry. You can learn more about pricing and admissions by visiting here.
When are the Calanais Standing Stones open?
The Calanais Standing Stones are open all year round to the public. The Visitor Centre is open six days a week during the summer months, but after September opening times do vary. As with most things on the Isle of Lewis, it’s important to factor in Sunday closures to your travel plans. Make sure to check the official Calanais website for opening times before you visit.
How long is needed to visit the Calanais Standing Stones?
The great thing about the attraction is that it is suitable to visit no matter how much time you have. Ideally, I would recommend leaving about 1 hour to wander around the stones, visit the Story of the Stones exhibition and have a bite to eat in the café. However, if you have less time, you can easily pop in and walk around the stones in about 15 minutes. Equally, if you have more time to spare, you might find yourself getting lost in the mystery!
What is the best way to get to there?
You can get to the Isle of Lewis from mainland Scotland either by sea (driving and taking the ferry), or by air.
By Car – I highly recommend driving, as taking the ferry over form the mainland is a wonderful experience in itself. The easiest thing to do is rent a car on the mainland and drive to the ferry port in Ullapool, which can be reached from either Glasgow or Edinburgh in just over 4 hours. And if you’re starting out in Inverness, you can reach Ullapool in just over 1 hour. The ferry will take you from Ullapool to Stornoway, from which the Calanais Standing Stones are less than a 30 minute drive. Just make sure that you make a booking for your car on the ferry in advance, as the ferries can book up quick, especially in peak season.
By Air – If you prefer to fly, the Isle of Lewis does have a small airport and you can fly from either Edinburgh, Glasgow or Inverness to Stornoway. You can visit here to search for and book flights.
What else is there to do near Calanais?
There’s lots of interesting things to do on both Lewis and Harris. Fancy staying in a historic Scottish blackhouse? You can visit the nearby Gearrannan Blackhouse Village, which offers an insight into the past and an opportunity to stay in traditional accommodation. You can also visit the Isle of Harris, which is known around the world for its beautiful beaches and famous Harris Tweed.
This article’s information was last updated in July 2023.