Callanish Prehistoric Stones


This evening, I am posting information on one of the most prominent stone circles in the British Isles, namely Callanish on the Isle of Lewis which lies off Scotland's West Coast.

The circle, which may actually be an elipse, dates from around 2200 BC. Diameter is 37ft 4ins and the site is located on a ridge overlooking the waters of Loch Roag.

The 15ft 9ins high 'central' stone is almost 3ft west of the true centre.

The Callanish site is embellished with:
  • A 273 ft long avenue leading from the NNE comprising 19 thin, graceful stones out of an original 39.The central line of the avenue is aligned to the setting of the southern moon.
  • Three short rows of stones to the ENE, south and WSW which are astronomically significant.
  • A tiny, chambered tomb only 21ft across which was squeezed in between the central pillar and the eastern stones.Inside have been found cremated bone and pottery sherds which may date to around 1700BC. 
Certain anomalies in the architecture of the entire site suggest a possibility that the complex was abandoned before completion.

There are three other stone circles in the vicinity of Callanish stones described above.

Callanish is located 13  miles west of Stornoway, the principal town on Isle of Lewis.

Video clip


© Nigel P Cole/Catswhiskerstours Limited

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Reconstructed Roman Villa

Image
This evening, I am reporting on my visit earlier today to a meticulously reconstructed Roman Villa in Somerset, England.   Funding for the project was provided by a South African billionaire. Specific features of the reconstruction project which is known as 'Villa Ventorum': Employed hundreds of architects, builders, archaelogists, mosaic makers, fresco painters and experts on ancient plumbing. The new build was built close to the remains of the original villa which dates from AD351. Incorporates the only working hypocaust system in Europe to create authentic Roman underfloor heating. Thne system also provides heating for the internal baths. Designed to appear to visitors as though still in use. Mosaics and frescoes have been made below the top standards of the time (e.g. Chedworth ) to reflect the social rank of the resident family. Incorporates a Roman 'fast food bar' allong the lines of that found in Pompeii . (Core of above information sourced from the Times newspap
Read more

Glen Quaich, one of Scotland's best backroads tour routes

Image
This afternoon, I am reporting the route of Glen Quaich in Central Scotland. This is a scenic, single track road which is usually closed to traffic in winter. The route covers about twelve miles and runs between the villages of Amulree and Kenmore on the northern tip of Loch Tay in Perthshire. Depending on time of year it is possible to encounter low lying snow, many sheep, grouse and other exceptional opportunities for photography. Incidentally, Quaich means a drinking cup. In a certain place the landscape is shaped like a bowl. Glen Quaich, Perthshire, Scotland Glen Quaich Black Grouse at Glen Quaich Here are a couple of video clips.
Read more

Fort Augustus, a popular visitor site on southern tip of Loch Ness

Image
Loch Ness from flight of locks at Fort Augustus, Scottish Highlands This evening, I am posting information on Fort Augustus, a busy tourist village on the southern tip of Loch Ness in the Scottish Highlands. Summary information on Fort Augustus as follows:- Population about 650 persons. Distance, about 160 miles from Edinburgh and 35 miles from Inverness entailing journey times of 3.5 hours and 1 hour respectively. Well endowed with hotels and other accommodation plus shops, restaurants and visitor attractions. From here visitors can avail of boat trips on Loch Ness. Home to an impressive flight of five locks on the Caledonian Canal. Latter dates from 1822 and is now primarily used by pleasure boats. Closely linked with the 18th century Jacobite uprising in that (a) the village was renamed Fort Augustus (after Prince William Augustus, third son of King George II) consequent upon construction of a British military (redcoat) fort in 1742 and (b) the same Prince
Read more