Plan of Calanais

This plan of the main stone formation at Calanais on Lewis shows the position of all the stones.<br /> <br /> The plan only shows 12 stones in the circle but there are in fact 13 in the circle surrounding the tallest stone on the site. The double row of stones forms an avenue leading north from the circle and the three single rows lead south, east and west.<br /> <br /> It is thought that some of the stones represent significant points on the lunar cycle. The structure was built between 2000-1500BC and abandoned by about 800BC when peat began to cover it. The site was not cleared again until 1857 when the peat was around 6ft deep.<br /> While this is the main monument at Calanais it is not the only one. There are around 20 different monuments in the area.<br /> <br /> This illustration was taken from 'A Description of the Western Islands of Scotland' by M Martin