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3. The Callanish Standing Stones
If you’ve watched the series Outlander, you’ve also seen these stones that the story’s heroine, Claire Fraser, travels through. They really exist and made an appearance in the Call the Midwife 2019 Christmas special too.
They’re similar to another popular group of standing stones, Stonehenge. However, the Callanish Stones are even older. The stones are believed to have been erected in the late Neolithic era, and are comprised of a center stone (or a monolith), the stone circle of 13 stones, an avenue, two stone rows, and a chambered tomb.
The folklore I found on Wikipedia includes some who believe the stones are “petrified giants who would not convert to Christianity.”
In the 17th century, the people of Lewis called the stones “false men.” Another legend claims an entity known as the “Shining One” walks the length of the avenue early on midsummer morning, and that his coming is heralded by the call of the cuckoo.
Who the “Shining One” is or what he does, I do not know.
The Hazel Tree noted that archaeologist Professor Alexander Thom suggested when the stones are viewed in the opposite direction they align with the setting of the moon at midsummer.
And Albion referenced a meditative “tuning in to the stones” experiment to try and connect with “the essence or being within ” them to try and call them forth was “caught” on camera “in as yet unpublished photographs.” That’d be interesting to see!
All I do know is that like how Stonehenge is a popular Winter and Summer Solstice destination, the Callanish Stones are a popular midsummer destination.
I wouldn’t say I’ve saved the best for last, but I’ve definitely saved one of my favorite types of jaunts for last: a spooky stay, specifically a haunted castle.
Courtney Mroch is a globe-trotting restless spirit who’s both possessed by wanderlust and the spirit of adventure, and obsessed with true crime, horror, the paranormal, and weird days. Perhaps it has something to do with her genes? She is related to occult royalty, after all. Marie Laveau, the famous Voodoo practitioner of New Orleans, is one of her ancestors. (Yes, really! As explained here.) That could also explain her infatuation with skeletons.
Speaking of mystical, to learn how Courtney channeled her battle with cancer to conjure up this site, check out HJ’s Origin Story.
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I love Call the Midwife! Even though it’s kind of, I dunno, womanly, my husband loves the show too! We both enjoyed The Lighthouse movie as well. I didn’t know the Hebrides were so full of history. Interesting post! I’m looking forward to the Call the Midwife 2020 Christmas special!
Okay, I love ALL of your comments, Priscilla. However, some comments thrill me more than others, and finding out that you’re a Call the Midwife fan too…and that your hub likes it too?! I’m SO excited to know another fan!!!! I swear, I think you’d be so interesting to have dinner with. Or a coffee. I imagine we’d talk and talk. I’m super excited about watching this year’s special too. And I was shocked to learn so much about the Outer Hebrides…beyond there was a spooky stay the cast had slept in! So I’m excited you got a kick out of learning about all these places too!