Path planned for Lewis' famous Calanais Stones

Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has applied for planning permission to reinstate a path around one of the Western Isles' best-known ancient sites.

Calanais - also known as Callanish - Standing Stones near Stornoway in Lewis are 5,000 years old.

Last month, the Scottish government approved the introduction of an entry fee for the first time at the Neolithic site. The charges are to be brought in at a later date.

HES, which manages the stones, has sought consent to build a path similar to one installed in 1993 but removed 15 years later.

The public body also wants to reduce the height of a stone wall built in the 19th Century to mark the boundary of a croft, and remove a timber fence.

The measures would improve views of the standing stones.

Under its plans, HES said visitors would be encouraged to stick to the path to help reduce the effects of erosion.

A survey in 2020 suggested that people walking around the site had badly damaged the ground at the bases of the stones.

HES said last month details on entry fees would be confirmed at a later date. Local residents will continue to have free access.

More than 150,000 people visited the site in 2019, and it is estimated the number of visitors could rise to 200,000 by 2030.

The stones have inspired popular culture including Disney-Pixar animation Brave and the Outlander's fictional Craigh na Dun standing stones.

Additional reporting by local democracy journalist Peter Urpeth.