A lone hiker stands atop a rocky outcrop overlooking the rugged landscape of Antelope Island and the hazy waters of the Great Salt Lake in Utah.

Gary Donaldson

The Standing Stones of Calanais, Scotland

The Standing Stones of Calanais, Scotland

Words and Photography by Gary Donaldson

The Standing Stones of Calanais are located on the Isle of Lewis in Scotland’s Outer Hebrides. They are one of the most significant prehistoric monuments in all of Great Britain. Erected around 3000 BC, this ancient site has a central monolith. It is surrounded by a circular arrangement of standing stones. Further out, the stones are in the shape of a cross. Archaeological evidence suggests they were used for ritualistic or astronomical purposes, aligning with lunar cycles.

I had the good fortune of coming across this magnificent site during a two-week solo road trip of the Scottish Highlands. The Calanais Standing Stones of Scotland are truly a sight to behold. To learn more about this interesting site, click on the linked text in the paragraph above. A trip to Scotland is not complete without visiting this important historic site.

A map showing the location of the Outer Hebrides in relation to to mainland Scotland.

Comments

3 responses to “The Standing Stones of Calanais, Scotland”

  1. sebstead Avatar
    sebstead

    Amazing! I love stuff like this! Must add it to the bucket list!

    Reply
    1. Gary Donaldson Avatar
      Gary Donaldson

      Thank you very much, Seb! It’s close enough to where you live. I spent two weeks solo touring the Highlands. It is a trip I will never forget.

      Reply
      1. sebstead Avatar
        sebstead

        I love a solo travel! Planning to do more this summer! 😃

        Reply

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Gary Donaldson

“Travel is about the gorgeous feeling of teetering in the unknown.”

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