The West Side of Lewis

Callanish (Calanais) Stone Circle

(Calanais 1)is a confusing jumble of standing stones when seen in photographs, therby making it very difficult to distinguish between the stones that make up the circle.

Second only to Stonehenge in importance, it has been archeologically of interest to scientists for many a long year,

Their investigations suggest that the erection of the first stones at Calanais 1 began about 5000 years ago (3000BC)

More than just a circle, the site is shaped, like a large Celtic cross; many theories abound as to the reason(s) for the construction.

In 1988 pollen samples from the post glacial period taken at "Tob nan Leobag" strongly suggest that Lewis was densely forested by Birch, Oak, Hazel, Willow and Elm trees.

Early human habitation is hinted at by the increased incidence of forest fires, clearly shown by charcoal fragments found in the peat, from about 5000 years ago.

The area arround the stones has been farmed for about 6000 years

6000 plus years of human inhabitation on this most ancient of islands have left their indelible marks

This is portrayed by the huge variety of historical and archaeological sites which dot the island

The island of Lewis is mainly composed of impermeable gneiss, one of the oldest rocks in the world.

5000 + years old

Older than Stonehenge

The first stones of the Callanish (1) stone circle were erected round about 3000BC.

It would appear that construction started with the tallest of the stones which now form the central monolith, followed by the 13 stones which form a ring around the central cairn.

The rest was added between1800BC and 1000BC together with the burial cairn.

There is so much more to this enigmatic monolith, the only way to appreciate their beauty and mystery is to stand in their middle and look back across the years.

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Composed of gneiss, discovered when the locals were cutting peat for fuel, round about 1923. Situated in the village of Breasclete about 300 – 400 metres from the school on the A858, in the books called Callanish 12

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Carloway Broch or

"Dún Chàrlabhaigh"

Dun Carloway or "Dún Chàrlabhaigh" as it is know in the gaelic, is dry stone structure

( a method of building walls by carefully selecting interlocking stones) some 10 metres in height and about 16 metres in diameter with walls about three metres thick. 

Probably built around the first century BC and last occupied about seven hundred years ago

Situated about six miles from Leumadair Guesthouse going north.

This 2000 years old broch, now has a visitors centre, manned by local volunteers

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Clach na Tursa

or

"Trushal Stone"

My Mate

Harry

Nesting in the village of Ballantrushal facing the Atlantic Ocean, is the last resting place of the only remaining standing stone (the largest in Scotland at 5.8 metres high, in its prime possibly larger )from a large stone circle, it is suggested that it occupied a place within the circle but was not central.

There are many tales accociated with the stone, the "battle ???" between the macaulays and the Morrisons being but one.

The other more feasible is that it is possibly related to the rising and setting of the moon at the major standstill.

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The Calanais Visitor Centre

Located on the beautiful west side of the Isle of Lewis, and just a short walk from the Standing Stones themselves.

The grid reference of the Centre is: NB 213 327

Ordnance Survey Explorer map 458 for West Lewis/Taobh Siar Leòdhais.

Coming from Stornoway via Acamor and Gearraidh na h-Aibhne on the A858, take the first left turn into Calanais and follow the road until you come to the visitor centre car park which is on the right.

Their contact details are:-

Calanais Visitor Centre

Calanais

Isle of Lewis

Western Isles

Scotland

HS2 9DY

Telephone: 01851 621422

Fax: 01851 621446

Café open till 1800hrs serves hot home made food. Serves evening meals on a pre-booked basic Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Small but very good menu . Please check opening times as they are seasonal

A member of the Gearrannan Village Museum team demonstrating the harrison loom

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The Bernera Bridge

When first opened on July 22, 1953. A crowd of 4,000 people walked across the new bridge to Bernera.

A comment, which appeared in The Stornoway Gazette of the time, which reported: "On that day Bernera ceased to be an island and became part of Lewis. Or perhaps it would be more accurate to say Lewis ceased to be an island and became part of Bernera."

Before the bridge was built, the 400 residents of Great Bernera were so keen to have the 150 meter gap between their island and Lewis bridged that they threatened to build their own causeway by dynamiting, in response to that threat the bridge was built at a cost of £70,000:00

The building of the link was a major breakthrough for civil engineering in the UK, as it was the first example of a bridge made of pre-stressed concrete girders, not only in this country, but in Europe.

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Stop!!!! and have a look

The jawbone of a blue whale measuring about 20 feet high with the harpoon which eventually killed the whale suspended at the apex. Weight about 4 tons

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Well worth a visit go into the visitors centre first. Take some time and walk around the village to village and look at the old balckhouse ruins

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A short walk on a well maintained path

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An easy 5 km walk (wear sensible boots and clothing)

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Beach at Dal Mohr they are Paradise in all seasons

DALMORE IS KNOWN TODAY FOR IT'S PICTURESQUE TOURIST BEACH BUT HAS A RICH HISTORY OF ITS OWN & WAS ONCE HOME TO A VIBRANT VILLAGE COMMUNITY.

Where Eagles Fly

If you want peace, quite and seclusion, experiencing tranquillity and remoteness, then come to the island on the eastern edge of the mighty Atlantic.

Known by many names, some are the “Outer Hebrides, Western Isles or Na h-eileanan ”, which encompass some 130 miles of mountains, moor-land, sea lochs, freshwater lochs, rugged cliffs and stunning coastlines.

Couple all that with a unique blend of white sandy beaches, surrounded by a land of unspoiled beauty, where a myriad of rare fauna and flora make their home.