As an archaeologist I have worked in Ireland, Africa and and Aotearoa/ New Zealand and I have been based in the Isle of Lewis since 2000.
During this time I have been involved in many interesting and diverse projects; including a project investigating sea stack sites around the coast of Lewis, a community excavation of a wheelhouse in North Uist, the excavation of the fortified medieval island of Dun Eistean in Ness, leading an Art and Archaeology project for the islands primary schools and being the St Kilda Archaeologist in 2010/11.
The Callanish complex is and has always been a long term hobby and private research project. Join me on a tour and discover the intricacies of the neolithic monuments.
Here is a selection of options. I can meet up with your group on location. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, families and groups are asked to travel in their own vehicles and to meet up with me at site locations. All details as to parking, food stops and convenience stops will be given before the day.
1 Specialist Interest Callanish with Archaeologist Ian McHardy-5 hours –
Part One: The approach to the monument complex:
Meeting at Half-Way garage (10 minutes drive out of Stornoway), 100 yards walk to first stone circle site.
Meeting up again a further 15 minutes at Achmore Stone circle, 5-minute walk to site.
Then to Garynahine fank, 5-10 minute walk to site IV and quartz quarry.
Part two: The main sites of the monument complex:
Meeting up at Callanish visitor centre parking site, rest stop approximately 40 minutes. Then lecture and tour of the main circle, approximately 1 hour. Followed by the visit of stone circles 2 and 3.
2 Specialist Interest Isle of Harris with Archaeologist Ian McHardy -8 hours –
Bespoke tours tailored to clients’ interests and fitness levels.
Harris trip: Let’s meet at Northton, Harris, the earliest site of human occupation yet discovered in the Western Isles. Lunch stop in Tarbert, then drive back to Stornoway with stops at various sites from every subsequent period, illuminating the full story of human life in the Hebrides. Tour ends in Stornoway.
3 Specialist Interest NessTour with Archaeology Ian McHardy -8 hours –
Bespoke tours tailored to clients’ interests and fitness levels.
Ness trip: Let’s meet up in Ness – the most northerly part of Lewis. We’ll visit the medieval island stronghold of the Clan Morrison and the Pre-Reformation Chapel of St Moluag.
Lunch stop in Ness, before heading South via the Arnol Blackhouse and Dun Carloway to the main Callanish monument and then back to Stornoway.
4 Specialist Interest Bernera Tour with Archaeologist Ian McHardy -8 hours –
Bespoke tours tailored to clients’ interests and fitness levels.
Bernera trip: Travel directly to the Iron Age house at Bosta on the island of Bernera where we’ll meet at the beach. Lunch in Bernera. Another stop is at Callanish monuments, lecture and tour of the main circle, approximately 1 hour. Then visit stone circles 2 and 3.