Calanais Stones
The Lewis Stitchers came together from across the Isle of Lewis to stitch the story of the island's incredible natural and cultural heritage and an extraordinary prehistoric monument on the isle's West Coast.
This is their story.
Nestled amongst archaeological greats on the West Coast of the Outer Hebridean Isle of Lewis stands one of Scotland's most remarkable and visually striking ancient monuments. At over 5,000 years old, the Calanais Standing Stones predate the likes of England's Stonehenge and the Pyramids of Egypt.
Arranged in a cruciform, unusual of this era, each one of the 49 tapered stones are captivating in their own right. On a fair day the surface of the stones glisten in the sunshine in harmony with the waters of Loch Ceann Hulabhaig which dance beneath.
Like most prehistoric monuments, we will never know why the Calanais Standing Stones were constructed and we can only speculate what life was like for the people that once walked these shores many millennia ago.
What remains, however, is a testament to the incredible ingenuity and skill of our past communities which has stood against the sands of time and borne witness to thousands of years of stories in the process.
Calanais Stones are the background for the bearded warrior.Image provided by Kirstie Campbell
To this day, innate creativity continues to flourish on Lewis. The island is a haven for artists who are inspired by the immensity of the isle's history, the palette of the natural landscape and the community characters which surround them while ongoing fascination with the Calanais stones continues to inspire creativity in the realms of art, literature, music, film and television.
Millennia apart we share an enduring, human fascination for nature and the elements. Perhaps a perfect outlook on the timeless links between the land and our communities past and present are lyrics from 'Eilean Mo Ghaoil’ (Isle of My Love), an unmistakable love letter to the Heather Isle stitched into the panel lower half:
"Is toigh leam gach beinn, gach gleann, gach tulach is òs"
(I like every mountain, every glen, every hillock and river mouth)
WITH THANKS TO THE LEWIS STITCHERS
This panel was stitched by Kate Muir, Lucy Harlington, Sue Price, Sandra Macleod and Mary Lou Stilwell who gave their time, skill and energy to completing a fantastic artwork for their area.
If you would like to see the panel up close and admire the detail of their work, please look out for the panel at an exhibition near you soon. To find out more, follow Inverness Castle Experience on Facebook for all the latest updates on the Tapestry of the Highlands and Islands and the new visitor experience in Inverness, open 2025.
