By Bernie Bell

Calanais!!!

First, we went to the information centre, to get some idea of how to get to where we wanted to go. This is well done, with lots of information, and also some ‘gifts’, including a reproduction of the Ball of Towie by Simant Bostock. Or, I hope they still have these, as it was 5 years ago!

Another valuable source of information, is the exhibition which Margaret Curtis has in a large shed next to her house. Margaret and her husbands, produced some very thoroughly researched booklets about the Calanais monuments.  It could be worth asking at the visitor centre, if Margaret still has her exhibition open to the public, and, if so, it really is well worth making an appointment with Margaret to  go and see it, and to talk with Margaret – an extremely knowledgeable woman.  If you’re allergic to cats, best avoided – as Margaret has many!

There’s the main  Calanais site  – words fail me!

There are also quite a few ‘satellite’ sites, with Gaelic names – best to get a map and/or a booklet!

The entrance to this site, has an imaginative gate!

And  – how’s this for an individual stone!

Then to .……..

The story is that these stones represent the three stages of a woman’s life – maiden, matron, and crone.  I can see it – they look like they’re having a good yarn together!

Related stories:

Our Trip to the Isle of Lewis: 2

Our Trip to the  Isle of Lewis: 1

standing stones on Lewis 3 women

Calanais