 The menhir in 2007 | |
 Interactive map of Clach an Trushal | |
| Location | Scotland,United Kingdom |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 58°23′36″N6°29′35″W / 58.39342°N 6.49292°W /58.39342; -6.49292 |
| Type | Menhir |
| Width | 1.83 meters |
| Height | 5.8 meters |
| History | |
| Material | Stone |
| Founded | c. 3000 BC |
Clach an Trushal (Scottish Gaelic:Clach an Truiseil,Scottish Gaelic pronunciation:[kʰl̪ˠaxən̪ˠˈt̪ʰɾuʃal], translated to English "Stone of Compassion") is said to be the talleststanding stone in Scotland.[1] Above ground it stands approximately 5.8 metres (19 feet 0 inches) tall, is 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) wide and at its thickest point is 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in) thick, with a girth at its base of 4.75 m (15 ft 7 in).[1] The stone is in the village ofBallantrushal on the west side ofLewis. Local legend says that it marks the site of a great battle, the last to be fought between the feudingclans of theMacaulays andMorrisons.[2] However it is actually the solitary upright stone remaining from a stone circle built about 5,000 years ago. It occupied a place within the circle, although its placement was not central. The second last standing stone was removed in 1914, and used as alintel.
From the base the stone circle atSteinacleit archaeological site is clearly visible to the north east. TheCallanish standing stones are 20 miles (30 kilometres) southwest.
