
We travelled as far North and as far West as you can in Britain, and we found the oldest mystery cast in stone. I have so much to tell and share, but for now this is a tiny taste of the delights we have been surrounded by for the last week. This is an evening shot of the beautiful and enigmatic Callanish stones, which sit on the west of the Isle of Lewis. Built 500 years before Stonehenge, they dwarf the more famous site in size, presence and setting. I hope you enjoy the peep.
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About greenmackenzie
Hi, I'm Seonaid, and I share my home on the shores of Loch Ness deep in the Scottish Highlands with my husband, my son and a couple of dogs. I love art which is here now and gone tomorrow...like food and nature...but also have a passion for vintage and the ancient past! Nature is my favourite muse, with her wild ever shifting seasons. I have been using and teaching mindfulness and relaxation for over 12 years, and have yet to become any sort of expert :-) I'm a Psychotherapist and Cancer Support Specialist in Maggies Highlands
On my bucket list is to see the Standing Stones! Soooo many stories to share!!
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Amazing shot, Seonaid! And looks like such a beautiful and mysterious place…
Wow – such a gorgeous shot!
Or do you go by Seonaid? 🙂
Gorgeous, moving photo Mackenzie…definitely intrigued to see so much more! 🙂
I’ve visited Orkney, I didn’t know about Callanish. I look forward to your further photos and observations in future posts.
I love how you captured the sun through the stones
Awesome!
Oh I can’t wait for the next post about this!
Those shadows are incredible, as are, of course, the structures themselves.
Lovely. Thank you. One day I shall get there. 🙂
I’ve heard of them and it’s great that not too many people get there, it would be dreadful if it was turned into the sort of carnival Stonehenge has become.
I know Gilly, it’s great because it’s quite…..we met a few visitors, but mostly had it to ourselves! I think because it’s so far north and west, and of course requires at least one ferry ride across the Minch, that it will never become like Stonehenge. You can’t really just pop over for a quick visit…..or at least I hope so!
I was worried that it might be quite crowded in August…..
Great image, you had lovely light. The one opportunity I had to visit Callanish it rained. Flat light and rain, not what I was after!
We were very lucky with the light Sue, but I had hoped to take some astro shots of the Milky Way flowing over the stones…..it was not to be….the clouds closed over each night!
Oh, how wonderful to see these magical ancient stones for yourself, Seonaid! I’ve not heard of the Callanish Stones before. Thanks for showing me. 🙂
There is something so wonderful about standing among such old stones, placed here by our ancestors. Running your fingers over their rough textured faces….
I’m so happy to have introduced you to Callanish.
I love learning about the history and the beauty of your area. I missed Stonehenge too when I was over there. Thank you for the glimpse of the Callanish stones. I’ll have to Google them too. You are inspiring!
I hope you enjoy discovering Callanish, it’s a very old sight, and I have lots more to share 🙂
Wow – I had no idea these stones existed. Thanks so much for bringing knowledge of them to us. Your photo brings through a sense that they are being activated now. I so look forward to reading your future posts about your experiences here. Very ancient knowledge encoded here I think.
It’s thought that the Greeks knew of this sight….they spoke of a circular temple to the gods of the North wind, where every 18 years the shining one stepped down to earth. It’s a real beauty 🙂
The shining one! – now I’m really intrigued. From the look of your photo it looks like you arrived around the same time as that shining one was stepping down to earth again. 🙂 I am so looking forward to hearing of your experiences here – or as much as you feel like sharing
You captured the majesty of the ancient stones. Great photo, Seonaid.
Majesty is a perfect word for these beautiful stones.
Can’t wait for more … hurry, hurry! D
Soon I promise, but I have limited technology and broadband here. I downloaded over 1,000 photos last night!
Yikes!
I have – and I want to see more pictures 🙂
More soon I promise, but the broadband connection is slow up here 🙂
Glorious.
It’s a stunning place, and so peaceful. Each stone whispering its secrets 🙂
Exquisite! I just want to be sitting there, alone, watching the sun set and feeling the night and those stones surrounding me. The stories they could tell 🙂 Peace . . .
It’s a place full of presence, and I wanted to star gaze, but the clouds closed over each night we were there…..so I will have to go back 🙂
🙂
Amazing Photo!
Thank you, the light was good to us 🙂
A monumental scene! Older than Stonehenge? No kidding?
Then this place is a well-kept secret. Nice shot!
Can’t wait to hear and see and imagine.
It’s a wonderful sight, and much larger than Stonehenge……also far less crowded. We had it almost to ourselves most of the time.
It seems as though the technology for building stone circles might have begun here, and slowly migrated South. 500years of advances and you get more precise stones and fitted sockets like Stonehenge, but I love the wrinkly characters of these old stones!
This will be a treat – as usual! Great evening shot!
Thank you Anne Christine, we were blessed with glorious weather, with just enough clouds to give us interesting light……the camera card was groaning 🙂
;-D
Stunning photo they look so powerful standing there
They have such presence, each one a different character, and the size is incredible.
Callanish has been on my list for decades… I look forward to seeing the rest and reading from someone who feels the land in such a similar way, Seonaid.
It’s such an incredible island, still dripping with ancient stones, chapels and earth stories. It’s about 8 years since I’ve been, and they pulled me back this year again 🙂
They’ve been pulling ever since I was a child and I first saw the aerial diagram…then the photographs… One of these days! 🙂
You would love the whole island Sue…..but it’s a long trek even for us 🙂
Long treks are meant to be taken 🙂 I used to dream of warmer climes and long white beaches.. now I just dream of the time to explore these beautiful isles we share.