Foreward In: Ponting, Gerald Archaeological Adventures in the Outer Hebrides

When Gerald and Margaret Ponting moved to the Isle of Lewis in the 1970s, their fascination with the Callanish Stones sparked a decade of discovery. Their fieldwork led to the re-identification and restoration of key stones, the rediscovery of lost features, and the promotion of the awe-inspiring Major Southern Lunar Standstill phenomenon. Their efforts earned national recognition and helped shape how the site is understood today.

But the story doesn’t end at Callanish. Through his regular column in the Stornoway Gazette, Gerald championed the preservation of local artefacts—most notably the Shulishader axe—and helped bridge the gap between academic archaeology and community engagement. With over 110 photographs and a foreword by Archaeologist and Urras nan Tursachan board member Dr Alison Sheridan, this book is both a personal memoir and a vital record of Hebridean heritage.