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Traditional ‘black house’ on North Uist, Outer Hebrides. (‘Black’ because the original design had no chimney and the peat-smoke blackened internal roof beams and thatch.)

Callanish, after a heavy snowfall in January 1982

Although I was brought up in Hampshire (in the south of England) and have lived in the county again for the past eighteen years, I lived on the Isle of Lewis in Scotland’s Outer Hebrides from 1974 till 1984. In that time, I studied the Standing Stones of Callanish in great detail. I have also visited and photographed many other stone circles in other parts of Britain.

THE OUTER HEBRIDES - REVISITED
This presentation uses slides from my 1998 holiday in Lewis, Harris, Benbecula, Barra and the Uists - and slides from the ten years that I lived on Lewis. In addition to the spectacular and unspoilt scenery, the talk touches on such topics as the crofting way of life, Gaelic culture, Harris Tweed, the archaeology, history and wildlife of the islands, the decline of the herring fisheries and recent developments which will help to maintain this unique group of communities into the future.

CALLANISH - THE STONEHENGE OF THE HEBRIDES
The Standing Stones of Callanish rival Stonehenge in many ways, but are less well-known because of their remote situation in the Outer Hebrides. This presentation deals with all aspects of these fascinating megaliths – legends, archaeology, astronomy, purpose, relationship with Stonehenge. It was originally given in 1984 at The Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C. This updated version was prepared in connection with the 2002 publication of my book Callanish and Other Megalithic Sites of the Outer Hebrides.

ARCHAEOLOGICAL ADVENTURES ON THE ISLE OF LEWIS, 1974-1984
In my other talks, I never have time to tell the stories of many fascinating archaeological finds made during my years living in the Hebrides. Knowing the popularity of tv archaeology programmes, I have prepared a presentation to include the discoveries of a stone axe with its handle remarkably intact, of a great ball of butter buried centuries ago, of a lost coin of Louis XIII of France, of the treasures of a Viking princess … and many more.

GOING ROUND IN CIRCLES
Stonehenge is not alone ! Over 1000 other stone circles are known in the British Isles. In this presentation and book, I hope to throw some light on their many mysteries. Many circles are in remote and scenic parts of the country – my photographs include sites in Cornwall, the Peak District, Cumbria, Aberdeenshire, Brittany, the Hebrides and Orkney, as well as Avebury and groups of little-known standing stones in Dorset. On a ‘circular tour’ of Great Britain, beginning and ending at Stonehenge, we learn some of the known archaeological facts as well as some of the many legends associated with these evocative remains. (related book)

ARTISTS AND ANTIQUARIANS AT STONEHENGE
This new slide presentation deals with the way in which Stonehenge has been ‘seen’ and interpreted from the 14th century till the present day.
( further details)