This evening I am presenting some images of a recent tour to the Isle of Lewis, Outer Hebrides.

This island is very rich in prehistory. provided below are images of just a few of the prehistoric stone circles with which this island is richly endowed.


The next two images are of Callanish III (Cnoc Fillibhir Bheag). It appears to comprise a double circle with the inner comprising four erect stones and the outer eight standing stones including five recumbents. There is a hint of Pythagorean algebra, long before Pythagoras.



These stones are found within Callanish II (Cnoc Ceann a' Ghearaidh) which stands within site of the main Callanish site discovered next. The stones form an ellipse of seven stones, two of which are prostrate with a ruined cairn near the centre.

The following are images of the famous Callanish stones which comprises one of the most significant megalithic complexes in Europe. The next four images are of Callanish 1 which consists of rows of Lewisian gneiss arranged in a cross shape. At the centre is a monolith and small chambered cairn. Absolutely stunning!





Standing stone at Ballantrushal. This is the tallest standing stone in Scotland and stands some 5.7M (18.7 feet) high. Its purpose is unknown but there is speculation that the monolith could have been a prehistoric sea-marker.


This is Steinacleit, Lower Shader. This site contains the remains of a chambered cairn with upright slabs. In turn, the Cairn sits within an oval some 269 ft (82M) in diameter. The site dates from 5000BC to 3000BC

Overall these sites are fascinating examples of the monuments left by the Mesolithic and Neolithic peoples.

Labels: Isle of Lewis

posted by Nigel Cole @ 12:21 PM