Built 5,000 years ago the Callanish Stones on Lewis are the subject of a new 60 page booklet revealing more about why this pre-historic monument is still a prime attraction - and rightly so.
The Islands Book Trust (IBT) has just launched this illustrated guide to the world famous standing stones.
Authored by Lewis-based archaeologist Ian McHardy, the booklet is called Contemplating Calanais – A Guide to the Standing Stones.
Written in a conversational style, it summarises what is known about the origin and purpose of this famous monument but also provides an introduction and Ian’s personal views on the many theories which have been put forward to explain the thinking behind the erection of the Stones and why they were located on this particular site.
Illustrated with some 30 stunning colour photographs and drawings, it made its debut earlier this month at the Callanish Visitor Centre.
The awe-inspiring Callanish Stones were built on a low windswept peninsula in western Lewis, is one of Scotland’s most magnificent and best preserved prehistoric monuments and a prime attraction for visitors from all over the world.
The site offers wonderful views in all directions to the hills, moorland and surrounding coastline, and the stones themselves have become part of this dramatic landscape.
Much is known about their more recent history – how the peat which had accumulated over millennia and obscured the lower part of the stones, along with the ruins of some of the houses of local villagers, was cleared in the 19 th century by the Matheson landlords of Lewis for antiquarian reasons.
From the time of Martin Martin to today’s New Age Travellers and mass tourism, Callanish has exerted a unique fascination for thousands of people.
But there is an enigma at the heart of this attraction. No-one knows for certain what was the original purpose of the Stones, precisely how the site was used, and why this particular location was selected for the erection of the monument. Some pointers in relation to certain aspects of the mystery are available from archaeological evidence, but there are also many theories of varying credibility, ranging from fertility cults, religious rituals and festivals to astronomical observation of stars, sun, and moon.
John Randall of IBT said: "In this thought-provoking guide, Ian McHardy, a professional archaeologist, attempts to summarise what is known about Callanish from archaeological studies and scientific research. But he also
outlines a wide range of other ideas, drawing on folklore, placename evidence, and astronomy, distinguishing where possible between fact and speculation and making it clear when he is advancing personal views on the contested theories.
"His aim is to stimulate discussion, to introduce readers to possible explanations, and to encourage
people from all backgrounds to think for themselves and come to their own conclusions - rather than
to hand down received wisdom or present what might very appropriately in this context be regarded
as ‘tablets of stone’!
"I hope that this beautifully illustrated and attractively presented personal account will serve not only
as a guide to readers as they explore the Callanish Stones for themselves, but also as a permanent
memento of an unforgettable visit and a quarry for ideas and ongoing speculation about this
magnificent but ultimately mysterious site."
Copies of the booklet, which includes photographs by Jim Hope and beautiful line
drawings by Donald Urquhart, will be available for £12 plus P&P from the Islands Book Trust
website at www.islandsbooktrust.org or from bookshops.
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