Bigstones

Nearest Town: Stornoway, Isle of Lewis

OS Grid Reference: NB 16 53 44

Directions: From Stornoway follow that A858 towards Callanish. Take the B8011 before you get there, and follow it towards Bernera. Immediately after crossing the bridge, the stones will be on your left, and you can park in the layby on your right. Free.

Site Notes: Pronounced ‘Cletcher’ this site is also known as Callanish 8 or Bernera Bridge. A very evocative location, and it is unusual to be so close to a body of water at one of these sites. There is some debate as to whether the site is as built, or whether it is only half of a circle, and the other half fell into the sea long ago. Visiting here, you could agree with either theory, and there was never anything random about the construction of these sites. At the time of construction this was still an island, and although no bridge was there, it was the most obvious crossing point. Neolithic peoples were accomplished seafarers, and in this part of the world it would be a way of life. Further adding to the mystery is the single standing stone now found at the opposite end of the bridge, upon the embankment, which surely must be linked to this site. An essential visit.

Once on the island, it is worth following the road a short distance to its end, where you will find a beautiful beach, with a reconstruction of an ancient Iron age house at Bosta.