Explore Clava Cairns: Scotland’s Enigmatic Stone Circles and Historical Portal

Only six miles east of Inverness and 1.5 Miles (2.4km) from Culloden Battlefield lies a site that is both beautiful and mysterious. Clava Cairns is a significant collection of standing stones and stone circles that were once used as a gravesite in Scotland.

To this day, their origin and history remain to be fully understood.

Clava Cairns: Scotland’s Mysterious Stone Circles

Located in a leafy field in the deep Scottish highlands, Clava Cairns channels the aura of an extra-spiritual Stonehenge. When the light from the setting sun illuminates the perfectly-aligned stones, it is not difficult at all to envision the site as a portal into another time.

What is Clava Cairns All About?

Clava Cairns comprises a well-preserved group of prehistoric burial cairns (mounds of rough stones typically built as memorials or landmarks) that were built about 4,000 years ago. As a Bronze Age cemetery, the site includes a variety of passage graves, eerie stone circles that encompass the graves, large standing stones, and the remains of a chapel—all set in a gorgeous, lush landscape amidst elm trees and gently rolling hills.

Surprisingly, these cairns are the only ones in mainland Britain that are surrounded by stone circles. As complex as the site may be, little is still known about Clava Cairns’ origins. Over-excavation has damaged the cairns to some degree, and so no one knows who was buried there, nor about the kinds of people involved in its construction.

There is, however, evidence that each cairn contained no more than two burials, and that a significant effort went into constructing the cemetery, hinting at a connection to those of power and wealth. Whatever the case may be, Clava Cairns remains a fascinating destination, regardless of whether or not you’re interested in archaeology; it undoubtedly has a unique aura.

Perhaps because its history is still shrouded in mystery, it begs visitors to question the lives of Scottish ancestors and appreciate the almost ethereal beauty of the site.

History of Clava Cairns

It is said that the first row of cairns was built around 2000 BC. Excavations began in 1828 CE and continued through the 1990s CE. Remarkably, these excavations have proven that the site was continuously used for more than a thousand years after its original construction. Various cairns and monuments were erected along the way, including a chapel, whose origin remains unknown.

Though the site stretches back further, there is evidence suggesting it may have been used for farming long before any of the cairns were constructed. Speculation arises that there might even have been a settlement on the site, with materials from those homes possibly used in some of the cairns.

Interestingly, despite all the mystique surrounding the cairns, whoever built them clearly did so with astronomy in mind. Symbols relating to the sun and moon are depicted on the stones, hinting at its possible use as an astronomical observatory and a seasonal calendar, in addition to being a burial ground. Today, although many original remains are visible to visitors, a definitive understanding of their use has yet to arise.

What to Expect When Visiting Clava Cairns

There are two sections to Clava Cairns: Balnauran of Clava and Milton of Clava. Both are fully accessible to visitors. The main section, Balnauran of Clava, consists of three large burial cairns each surrounded by a stone circle. Two out of the three cairns here have narrow passageways that allow visitors to enter the central burial chamber.

Between these cairns lies a ‘kerb cairn’—a small ring of large stones with a filled-in center—housing an enclosed central burial chamber. If you look closely, you’ll be able to see cup and ring markings along the stones, along with depictions of suns and moons.

The second section of the site is smaller, Milton of Clava, resting in a field adjacent to the main section. Milton of Clava consists of a single standing stone, one cairn, and the ruins of a medieval chapel built long after the cairns were erected.

Although no guided tour is available, information boards are situated throughout the site, and guides are present to answer any questions visitors may have.

Tips for Visiting Clava Cairns

Clava Cairns is free to visit and is easily reached by car, with a free parking lot available at the entrance. The site makes for an excellent pairing with Culloden Battlefield due to their close proximity. However, consider visiting Clava Cairns last—its light, magical ambiance distinguishes it from the battlefield.

One of the most incredible aspects of Clava Cairns is that its stones are aligned perfectly with the wintertime setting sun, making it best to visit during winter. This timing also affords the site a particularly otherworldly charm, as well as fewer tourists.

There’s a lot to enjoy at Clava, and you might be tempted to collect one of the many loose rocks scattered on the ground; however, be cautious! Rumor has it that the ‘curse of the cairns’ awaits anyone who does so. Thus, to avoid years of bad luck, it is advisable to leave the stones undisturbed.

For more insights into Scotland, consider exploring Dunnet Head’s Magnificent Views.

Furthermore, it’s noteworthy that Clava Cairns gained significant recognition in 2014 when the American TV series Outlander claimed that the inspiration for its fictional stone circle derived from this site!