Calanais, the Gaelic name for the Standing Stones
Ring of Callanish on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides in
Scotland, has for centuries, milleniums, been the place where
lovers of the Picts took their Vows of Bonding, marriage.

The majority of these vows came in June, because May was
considered the month all the Auld Gods we born, thus it was
unlucky to marry then.  Even today, June is the most popular
month for couples to marry. 

It is likely the oldest stone ring in Britain, more than a
1000 years older than better known Stonehenge, and it is
the only stone circle to actually be the centre of a ' Celtic cross',
formed by four avenues of stone leading to the circle.  The
site is dedicated to the Goddess of the Moon and once every
19 years (The Grand Year) the MidSummer full moon will set
at the heel of the cross and seem to travel up the long avenue
until it finally comes to rest in the centre of the circle.

Formed of Lewissean Gneiss, stones half the age of the earth itself,
 the dramatic pillars, more weathered and less dressed
than the rings of stonehenge, it was called Turshachen, the
Place of Mourning, which clearly shows that not only lovers
escaped to plight their troths in the centre of the giants, the
people of the Picts came to pay hommage to their dead in this
amazing, complex structure that seems to defy time.


Back to Scotland

© DeborahAnne  MavGillivray
1st April 2002
All Rights Reserved

You can visit the Ring of Calanis on the Isle of Lewis at
Loch Roag.  NB213330 13 miles West of Stornoway
on a minor road South of CalanaisVillage.  It is in
State Care and signposted.  From the centre of the circle,
you can view in the distance the stone circles of
Garynahine, Cnoc Fillibhir and many others.

this is an exclusive set and
make not be used without Written Permission
tartan is Clan Ogilvie Anicent, the most complex
of all tartans.