📌 Standing stones in Calanais, Isle of Lewis
★★
Many tourists visiting the Isle of Lewis make a beeline for the renowned Calanais (or Callanish) Stones. But how many are aware that the main site only comprises Callanish I, and that there are several other Neolithic monuments in the immediate area numbering all the way up to at least Callanish X? Callanish II and (especially) III are both well-preserved stone circles in their own right, a few minutes’ walk from each other on hillocks overlooking Loch Ceann Hùlabhaig – their famous sibling is also in sight to the west. They both have their own parking areas, but it’s quicker (and more interesting) to walk the few hundred metres between the two sites via a rather squelchy path. Duckboards help, but only a bit – don’t wear your best shoes.
Callanish II ★
🌍 Location
📌 Near minor road end 1 mi southeast of Callanish village, Lewis
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NB 222326
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 58.194551,-6.729098
🚌 Bus stops on A858 at Callanais visitor centre turnoff
🚗 Car park at 🧭 NB 222327 / 🛰️ 58.195506,-6.729049
📝 Key info
⌚ Always open
🎫 Free
💬 From the car park it’s a 5-min walk to Callanish II on an occasionally boggy path – or a 5-min walk from Callanish III.
Callanish III ★★
🌍 Location
📌 Off A858 1 mi east of Callanish village, Lewis
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NB 225327
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 58.195553,-6.724198
🚌 Bus stops on A858 at Callanais visitor centre turnoff
🚗 Layby at 🧭 NB 225329 / 🛰️ 58.197294,-6.724110
📝 Key info
⌚ Always open
🎫 Free
💬 From the layby it’s a 5-min walk to Callanish III on an occasionally boggy path – or a 5-min walk from Callanish II.
