Stones of Wonder - Callanish 

Prehistoric Observatories in Scotland

A Web Guidebook

© Robert Pollock 1997-2020


Stones of Wonder is a Web guidebook to prehistoric monuments in Scotland (dating to the Neolithic or the Bronze Age) which have orientations to the sun, moon or stars. It gives the background to the archaeology of the sites, to archaeoastronomy and to the previous work which has been done. The main part of the guidebook is a listing of the monuments which can be visited, and the best time of year to see them and observe for yourself the sunrises, sunsets, moon rises and moon sets. The work is based on original surveys, of which full details are given.

To use this guide, choose a link below. All pages on this site are now accessible from here. The monuments are grouped by their geographical area.

Specially for pedants -
Observe: notice or perceive something and register it as being signifiicant
(New Oxford Dictionary of English)
Observatory: A building or place given over to or equipped for observation of natural phenomena
(Webster's third new International Dictionary)



 
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION

The Legacy - The significance of the stones to their builders
Watching the sun, moon and stars
- Background to what the stones indicate - the solstices, equinoxes, lunar standstills and other events
The Monuments - The types of prehistoric site in this guidebook
The People and the Sky - Historical clues

BACKGROUND
ARCHAEOASTRONOMY - What is it?
USING THE SITE DESCRIPTION PAGES - How to get the most from this guide
VISITING THE SITES - Keep the farmers happy
THE LEY LINE MYSTERY - Not what you think


THE SITES 1

Sites in Argyll and Arran

 

Ardachearanbeg, Cowal
Ardpatrick, Knapdale
Avinagillan, Knapdale
Ballinaby, Islay
Ballochroy, Kintyre
Ballymeanoch, Argyll
Brainport Bay, Argyll
Campbeltown, Kintyre
Carnasserie, Argyll
Clochkeil, Kintyre
Creagantairbh, Argyll
Cultoon, Islay
Druid's Stone, Gigha
Finlaggan, Islay
Kilbride, Islay
Kintraw, Argyll
Knockstapple, Southend, Kintyre
Loch Stornoway, Knapdale
Machrie Moor, Arran
Nether Largie, Argyll
Port Ellen, Islay
Salachary, Argyll
Stillaig, Cowal


THE SITES 2

Sites in Mid and South Scotland

 

Airthrey Castle, Stirling
Bagbie, Galloway
Corogle Burn, Glen Prosen
Craigneich, Perthshire
Dalarran Holm, New Galloway
Dalchirla, Perthshire
Doune, Perthshire
Drumtroddan, Wigtown
Dunkeld, Perthshire
Duntreath, Blanefield
Enochdhu, Perthshire
Fowlis Wester, Perthshire
Muirheadstone, Perthshire
Straloch, Perthshire
The Thieves, Galloway
Wallace's Stone, Perthshire


THE SITES 3

Sites in the North & North-east

  Achavanich, Caithness
Aulton, Aberdeenshire
Avielochan, Strath Spey
Brodgar, Orkney
Bruiach, Inverness-shire
Castle Frazer, Aberdeenshire
Clach Mhic Mhios
Clava, Inverness
Corrimony, Inverness-shire
Delfour, Strath Spey
Easter Aquorthies, Aberdeenshire
Eslie South, Kincardine
Gask, Inverness-shire
Glen Loth, Sutherland
Hill of Rangag, Caithness
Loanhead of Daviot, Gordon
Maes Howe, Orkney
Midmar, Aberdeenshire
Old Keig, Aberdeenshire
Rothiemay, Strath Isla
Sunhoney, Aberdeenshire
Tomnaverie, Kincardine

THE SITES 4

Sites in the Western Isles and Mull

 

Airigh na Beinne Bige, Lewis
Airigh nam Bidearan, Lewis
Ardalanish, Mull
Ardnacross, Mull
Balliscate, Mull
Callanish, Lewis
Cillchriosd, Mull
Clach an Truisheal, Lewis
Clach an Tursa, Lewis
Clach Mhicleoid, Harrris
Cul a' Chleit, Lewis
Dervaig, Mull
Lochbuie, Mull (stone)
Lochbuie, Mull (circle)
Scarista, Harris
Uisken, Mull


DATA
 
References Individual Site References

Bibliography

Links to other relevant and related pages

POSTSCRIPT

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CONTACT DETAILS

 

Stones of Wonder created by Robert Pollock, 1997-2015 (improvements and additions are always being made).

Any comments, information about individual sites, relevant photos, stories of your experiences at the monuments for possible inclusion hereb or feedback of any kind would be most welcome. I now live in New Zealand and am unable to visit the sites regularly myself. :-(

If you want to use images or info from this site, please let me know. If you place a link to Stones of Wonder on your related site let me me know and I will reciprocate. Copying these pages "as is" and reproducing them is not permitted.

Email me at : rpollock456@gmail.com


 

Stones of Wonder gets about 4,000 visitors and 7,500 pageviews a month. Thanks to all visitors for making this site such a success over the years!

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