At the end of the Guardians of the Circles prequel, Talisman of Fire, Albyn and Geth settle at a place called Classac on the Long Islands. At the beginning of book one, in the same series, we find them still there, 30 years later.
My inspiration for the setting of my stories, especially Classac, is a place called Callanish, on the Isle of Lewis, off the west coast of Scotland.
On top of a hill, overlooking a sea loch, stands a ring of weathered standing stones, erected 4,500 years ago by a culture we know so little about. This was the late Neolithic, and people had settled, grown grain, and farmed cattle and pigs for over 1500 years. This was the culture that built most of the megalithic structures in Britain.
The Callanish stones comprise a stone ring with a central megalith, itself weighing about 7 tonnes. There are short rows of standing stones to the east, south, and west, and a double row of stones, forming an avenue to the north.
Various people have claimed astronomical alignments for the stones. It’s hard to imagine that they didn’t have some such purpose. Why go to all that effort if it was just for decoration!
What is incredible about Callanish, though, is that it is not alone. Within a few miles of the ‘main site’, known as Callanish I, are at least 15 more identified stone circles, or megaliths. This was a place of great importance to the ancient residents of the island.
Visible from Callanish I, and just a short walk away, are two more circles. Neither is as grand as the hilltop structure, but both have their own charm. Callanish II comprises an ellipse of stones; five still standing, and two fallen, just a few hundred metres from its neighbour.
Callanish III sits on a hilltop, close to the public road, and comprises an outer ring of 13 stones, eight still standing, and an inner circle with just 4 remaining stones.
When you consider that this culture had no metal tools, it would be a marvel that they built one circle. To erect so many, even if it was over many years or centuries, is impressive.
These are the people that inspired me to write the Guardians of the Circles books. I hope you’ll be as fascinated by them as I was.
D J Eastwood
P.S. If you’ve read and enjoyed my novella, Talisman of Fire, please consider following this link here to leave a rating or a review for the story.
Thank you.
The Apprentice Tattoo 