Scotland is littered with stone circles. There are around 500 sites of historical significance with many dating as far back as 5,000 years (making them even older than Stonehenge!)

Perhaps the most famous standing stones are those found at Callanish on the Isle of Lewis. They have been made exceptionally attractive as a tourist destination due to their connection with the Outlander franchise. These are stones which are said to have inspired the author Dianna Gabaldon and the art designers on the TV adaptation. The megalith that sits in the middle of this stone circle is identical to the one on the show and so fans travel from far and wide to pay homage to it.

But the Calanais Stones make for a fascinating visit beyond their new-found fame. They predate the stone circle at Stonehenge by roughly 500 years and were an important site for rituals and astronomical worship for over 2,000 years. The stones sit on a high mound overlooking a beautiful bay and surrounded by mountains on the horizon making them some of the most photogenic standing stones in the world.

The stones are only 12 miles away from the main settlement of Tarbert and numerous other stone circles and early castles are found in the area. The refurbished visitors centre is due to open for the 2026 season and offers a wealth of information on the origins of this significant heritage site.