Who are Urras nan Tursachan?
Urras nan Tursachan (The Standing Stones Trust) is an independent, not-for-profit charitable company based in the northwest of the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides. Founded in 1994, we have operated the Calanais Visitor Centre for nearly thirty years, supporting local tourism and delivering consistent growth in revenue and visitor numbers.
The Trust believes the best way for the ancient and iconic Neolithic site of Calanais to continue having a positive impact locally and beyond is through close collaboration with our community.
We manage the visitor centre to benefit communities across the Outer Hebrides, providing opportunities for research, education, and social engagement, while supporting the historic and atmospheric site.
By combining community ownership with responsible tourism, we encourage visitors to explore the Outer Hebrides and experience the beauty of Calanais and its surrounding landscape in a sustainable, manageable way.
Visitors are invited to engage with this unique site, unlock its narratives, and be transformed by its archaeology, mystery, and heritage. This approach supports local employment, raises awareness, and creates opportunities while safeguarding essential heritage.
UnT owns, manages, and operates the visitor centre at Calanais. Historic Environment Scotland is responsible for conservation, protection and archaeological management of the monument. UnT works in partnership with Historic Environment Scotland (HES) but does not control monument conservation decisions.
