They were erected in the late Neolithic era, and were a focus for ritual activity during the Bronze Age.

They are near the village of Callanish (Gaelic: Calanais) on the west coast of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland.

The Calanais Stones (grid reference NB213330) are situated on a low ridge above the waters of Loch Roag with the hills of Great Bernera as a backdrop.

[1] These include at least three other circles, several arcs, alignments and single stones; many visible from the main site.

Historic Environment Scotland states that the stones were erected roughly 5,000 years ago, pre-dating Stonehenge.

[5] The central monolith stands 0.8 metres west of the true centre of the stone circle.

This is quite small compared to similar circles, including the nearby Callanish II which is 2.5 times as large.

[7] Between the central and the eastern monolith of the stone circle is a chambered tomb 6.4 metres long.

The first traces of human activity are indicated by a broad ditch (no longer visible above ground) which appears to have belonged to some structure or enclosure.

[2] In the centuries around 3000 BC, however, the site was turned over to agriculture, which obliterated most of the earlier traces.

[10] Excavations in 1999–2000, to the south of the stones, found fragments of a prehistoric field system buried beneath blanket peat, as well as stone structures, including buildings, walls, clearance cairns and cobbled surfaces.

[14] Sometime around 1695 Martin Martin visited the site and was told by the local people that "it was a place appointed for worship in the time of heathenism, and that the chief druid or priest stood near the big stone in the centre, from whence he addressed himself to the people that surrounded him.

[17] In 1857 peat to a depth of five feet (1.5 metres) was cleared away, under the orders of the proprietor of Lewis, James Matheson, revealing the chambered tomb and the true height of the stones.

[1] Alexander Thom and Gerald Hawkins suggested that the stones were a prehistoric lunar observatory.

[8] In the 17th century the people of Lewis were calling the stones fir bhrèige ("false men").

[1] Another legend is that early on midsummer morning an entity known as the "Shining One" walks the length of the avenue, his coming heralded by the call of the cuckoo.