Iconic stone circle to welcome first artists-in-residence

The Herald Scotland

6 days ago

Located in the west coast of Lewis, the 5,000 year old Calanais Stones (or Callanish in its anglicised form) represent one of the best preserved prehistoric monuments in Europe.
A cross-shaped setting of ancient monoliths, Calanais predates Stonehenge and was an important place for ritual activity for at least 2,000 years.
Mystery surrounds its exact purpose, although much of the evidence indicates that it was the site of both an astronomical observatory and ritual activity.
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Public views sought on Calanais Standing Stones entry fee proposal
Five Scottish stone circles : Brodgar, Callanish, Calanais, Arran, Lewis, Bronze Age
The Stones of Callanish: Scottish Icon, by Rab McNeil
The selection of Freya Pellie and Jonathan Doyle followed a highly competitive process, drawing 112 strong applications from a wide variety of fields, including artists, archaeologists, authors, and digital media specialists, all eager to explore the unique heritage of Calanais.
Freya Pellie is a multidisciplinary performance artist and circus coach, bringing an academic background in environmental science to her practice. Renowned for her international performances and teaching in aerial arts, flag poi, and stilt dance, Freya is a passionate advocate for social circus and uses performance art to spark interest in the world around us.
Meanwhile Jonathan Doyle is an award-winning adventure photographer and filmmaker with a background in Astrophysics and Space Science. His work, which includes capturing the Aurora Borealis and Milky Way, has been featured in publications such as National Geographic Traveller UK. He is celebrated for his ability to capture the majesty of the night sky through his lens.
Collaborating since 2023, their combined expertise and innovative approach to celebrating the major lunar standstill at Calanais with their outdoor photography and videography project made their proposal stand out.
The residency offers Freya and Jonathan a unique opportunity to develop new work inspired by Calanais's significance and its relationship to celestial events.
Jonathan Doyle and Freya Pellie (Image: JPS Images)
They are set to engage the public through workshops, including an astrophotography session on June 6 and a circus skills workshop on June 7. They will also lead a special community co-creation event on June 14, involving light painting with LED props.
Their work will produce a legacy piece for the Calanais Visitor Centre, contributing to original interpretations of the site.
"We were very impressed by the depth and breadth of talent among all 112 applicants, reflecting the widespread fascination with Calanais," said Dr Alison Sheridan, Board member of Urras nan Tursachan, the charity that runs the Calanais Visitor Centre.
"Freya and Jonathan's innovative approach, blending performance, photography, and scientific understanding, perfectly embodies the spirit of this residency.
"We are excited to see the new perspectives they will bring to the Standing Stones for the benefit of the local community and visitors alike."
Freya and Jonathan added: "It's a privilege to be the first artists-in-residence at Calanais.
The 5,000 year old Calanais Stones represent one of the best preserved prehistoric monuments in Europe
"This site is so inspirational. We look forward to creating work that not only celebrates Calanais but also inspires a deeper connection to this extraordinary place among all who engage with it."
In May 2024, plans for Calanais Visitor Centre to undergo extensive architectural improvements were granted planning permission.
Standing Stones Trust (Urras nan Tursachan), the charity dedicated to the preservation of the iconic stone circle site, said that the redevelopment of the centre "has been a long-term ambition of the community".
The permission will allow the centre to move forward with its goal of transforming into a 5-star visitor attraction and a first-class community facility, the charity added.
Back in 2023, proposals were put forward to charge an admission fee to visit the site.
Historic Environment Scotland (HES) is proposing a single admission charge as part of plans to establish Calanais as a 'true world-class heritage attraction'.