A Hebridean Odyssey: Part 14 - Lewis: Calanais I, II, and III

This video is the fourteenth in a series that documents a trip taken in May 2022, in which we visited 16 of the Hebridean islands. This and 4 other episodes (13 - 17) are video diaries of places visited, scenery seen and roads driven on the Isle of Lewis in the Western Isles. This particular video covers Callanais (Callanish) I,II and III.
Who knew there was more than one Callanais? In fact there are several other megalithic sites in the same vicinity, including Callanais II - X. Callanais Stones (Callanais I) are a neolithic arrangement of standing stones. Four rows of stones of 300 million year old Lewisian gneiss radiate outward from a stone circle, forming a rough cross shape. At the centre is a huge 4.8 metre tall monolith looking over a stone burial kist within the circle. Callanais I overlooks Loch Roag above the village of Callanais, dominating the landscape. The stones were erected 5000 years ago making Callanais older than Stonehenge or the pyramids of Egypt. It is truly an awe-inspiring place.
Callanais II and III are a few minutes’ walk from each other on hillocks overlooking Loch Ceann Hùlabhaig - with Callanais I still in sight to the west. The two sites are separated by a walk of a few 100 metres via a rather squelchy path.
Further videos from Lewis cover our journey from Harris to Lewis, exploring the West Side, Ness, and the Butt of Lewis; the island of Great Bernera; the south west of Lewis; and Stornoway, the Iolaire Memorial, Point and our return trip to Ullapool.
Music:
1. Chris Zabriskie Prelude No 21
2. Aislinn Lovely Maria from Aislinn
3. Jon Mark The Standing Stones of Callanish from Tssoc
4. Stefan Grass, Edward McGuire & Peter Anderson Three Traditional Scottish Pieces: II. The Lewis Jig
5. Gary Stroutos & Gary Rollins Stones of Callainish from In Stone Circles

[@Louisa93able]

Super cali fragi listi expi ali do cious ! Music spot on, some of it not the same as but somewhat like Mesiaen.

[@mrhuffler9791]

I particularly noticed the sky in this video, the view of the skyscape early on was absolutely beautiful. I echo the comments about the music here and throughout, hauntingly beautiful, along with the eerie views of the standing stones. 😊

[@christinamandacodgerinahat]

We loved it here and we were so lucky to have this special place almost to ourselves.

[@kaynotman620]

Absolutely loved your videos, the music is wonderful ❤

[@christinamandacodgerinahat]

Thank you, Kay.

[@robinmunro47]

Beautiful video. Music was so hauntingly appropriate.

[@christinamandacodgerinahat]

Thank you Robin. One of the pleasures of my new GoPro hobby is to find the music, not only of the correct length for the sequence (which can be tricky!), but also appropriatley titled. Of course, I would like to use ambient sound, but in the Hebrides that would mean constand roaring noise of wind!

[@robinmunro47]

@@christinamandacodgerinahat I fully agree about the sound . I think your carefully selected music I first class...there's too much talking in a lot of videos. That's especially why I prefer your approach

[@christinamandacodgerinahat]

@@robinmunro47 Thank you - very kind

[@ianferguson3543]

please note that if you go to visit the stones there will be a couple of hundred tourists there. If there are a couple of coaches then up on the hill it will be busy. It's a stunning place to visit but it's not quiet.

[@christinamandacodgerinahat]

We find it depends on the time of day. The filmed visit took place around 6-7 pm and by the time we left we had the place to ourselves. We’ve just spent 5 days at a B&B about 1/4 mile away so saw it many times. Daytimes can be busy - particularly if cruise ships (albeit small) are around the island - but early morning or evening visits were calm and tranquil. Sunsets are a good time to visit. We’re currently on Skye after 2 weeks on the Western Isles and Skye feels like a theme park in comparison!! Far too busy for us.