View source for Clach an Trushal

{{Short description|Standing stone in Outer Hebrides, Scotland}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Use British English|date=March 2025}}
{{Infobox ancient site
| name = Clach an Trushal
| image = Clach an Truiseal - geograph.org.uk - 602150.jpg
| caption = The menhir in 2007
| coordinates = {{coord|58.39342|-6.49292|format=dms|type:landmark_region:GB|display=inline,title}}
| location = [[Scotland]], [[United Kingdom]]
| type = [[Menhir]]
| width = 1.83 meters
| height = 5.8 meters
| material = [[Stone]]
| built = {{circa|3000 BC}}
}}

'''Clach an Trushal''' ({{langx|gd|Clach an Truiseil}}, {{IPA|gd|kʰl̪ˠax ən̪ˠ ˈt̪ʰɾuʃal}}, translated to English "Stone of Compassion") is said to be the tallest [[Menhir|standing stone]] in Scotland.<ref name=":0" /> Above ground it stands approximately {{convert|5.8|m|ftin|abbr=off}} tall, is {{convert|1.83|m|ftin|abbr=on}} wide and at its thickest point is {{convert|1.5|m|ftin|abbr=on}} thick, with a girth at its base of {{convert|4.75|m|ftin|abbr=on}}.<ref name=":0">{{Historic Environment Scotland|cat=PLA |num=4264 |num2=NB35SE 1 |desc=Lewis, Clach An Trushal |access-date=23 June 2025}}</ref> The stone is in the village of [[Ballantrushal]] on the west side of [[Isle of Lewis|Lewis]]. Local legend says that it marks the site of a great battle, the last to be fought between the feuding [[Scottish clan|clans]] of the [[Macaulay of Lewis|Macaulays]] and [[Clan Morrison|Morrisons]].<ref>{{Cite news|title = Clans unite for battle to banish wind turbines|url = https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2009/jun/21/scotland-windpower-lewis-morrisons-macaulays|newspaper = The Guardian|date = 2009-06-21|access-date = 2016-01-23|issn = 0261-3077|language = en-GB|first = Caroline|last = Davies}}</ref> 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]].

From the base the stone circle at [[Steinacleit]] archaeological site is clearly visible to the north east. The [[Callanish Stones|Callanish standing stones]] are {{convert|20|mi|km|-1|abbr=off}} southwest.

== References ==
{{reflist}}

{{Lewis and Harris}}
{{Prehistoric Western Isles}}
{{European Standing Stones}}
[[Category:Buildings and structures completed in the 4th millennium BC]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures completed in the 3rd millennium BC]]
[[Category:Archaeological sites in the Outer Hebrides]]
[[Category:Macaulay family (Lewis)]]
[[Category:Standing stones in Scotland]]
[[Category:Scheduled monuments in the Outer Hebrides]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in the Isle of Lewis]]