Clach an Trushal

Clach an Trushal is said to be the tallest standing stone in Scotland. Above ground it stands approximately 5.8 metres tall, is 1.83 m wide and at its thickest point is 1.5 m thick, with a girth at its base of 4.75 m. The stone is in the village of Ballantrushal on the west side of Lewis. Local legend says that it marks the site of a great battle, the last to be fought between the feuding clans of the Macaulays and Morrisons. 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 a lintel.