Clava Cairns: The 4,000-Year-Old Stone Circles of the Scottish Highlands
- Jun 15
- 3 min read
Updated: Jun 17
Just a few miles from Inverness stands one of Scotland's most fascinating prehistoric monuments.
Clava Cairns is a remarkably well-preserved Bronze Age cemetery dating back around 4,000 years. Consisting of ancient burial chambers, standing stones and stone circles, the site offers a rare glimpse into the beliefs and practices of the people who lived in the Scottish Highlands thousands of years ago.
Today, visitors can still walk among the stones and enter some of the ancient structures, experiencing a landscape that has remained largely unchanged for millennia.
What Are The Clava Cairns?
The site consists of three principal cairns surrounded by standing stones.
These stone-built burial monuments were constructed during the Bronze Age, around 2000 BC. Each cairn contains a central burial chamber connected to the outside world by a narrow passage.
Archaeological evidence suggests the cairns were used for cremation burials, with human remains and pottery discovered during excavations.
The structures were carefully designed and built, demonstrating an impressive level of engineering and craftsmanship for the period.
Older Than Much of Recorded Scottish History
When Clava Cairns was built, the Roman Empire did not exist.
The Picts had not yet emerged.
Most of Scotland's famous castles were still thousands of years in the future.
The site predates many of the events and cultures that people commonly associate with Scottish history, offering a direct connection to a far more distant past.
A Solar Alignment
One of the most intriguing features of Clava Cairns is its apparent alignment with the winter solstice.
Researchers believe the passageways of some cairns were positioned so that the setting sun at the winter solstice would shine directly into the burial chamber.
This suggests the builders possessed a sophisticated understanding of the movements of the sun and may have attached special significance to the shortest day of the year.
Similar solar alignments can be found at prehistoric monuments elsewhere in Britain and Ireland.
The Standing Stones
Surrounding the cairns are rings of standing stones, some of which reach impressive heights.
The stones appear to have been carefully selected and positioned, with larger stones often placed on the southwestern side of the circles and smaller stones on the northeastern side.
The exact purpose of the stone circles remains uncertain, but they likely played an important ceremonial role within the wider monument.
Legends and Modern Popularity
Like many ancient sites in Scotland, Clava Cairns has attracted its share of legends and folklore.
In recent years, the site gained international attention after inspiring scenes in the television adaptation of Outlander.
Although the series is fictional, the atmosphere of the monument makes it easy to understand why it was chosen as inspiration.
The combination of ancient stones, towering trees and centuries of mystery creates a setting unlike almost anywhere else in Scotland.
Visiting Clava Cairns
Located just outside Inverness, Clava Cairns is freely accessible and can be visited year-round.
Unlike many prehistoric monuments, visitors are able to walk among the stones and experience the site up close.
Whether you're interested in archaeology, Scottish history or simply exploring hidden places, Clava Cairns remains one of the Highlands' most remarkable ancient landmarks.
More than four millennia after its construction, the purpose behind every stone may remain uncertain, but the monument continues to connect modern visitors with a world that existed long before Scotland was Scotland.
Explore Scotland & Discover Our Highland-Made Products
Interested in exploring more of Scotland's hidden places and ancient legends? Visit our interactive Scotland map to discover the castles, waterfalls, lochs, mountains and ancient sites featured across our social media channels, complete with directions and information.
While you're here, explore our range of organic beard and body care products, handcrafted in Scotland using wild botanicals inspired by the forests, coastlines and landscapes of the Scottish Highlands.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Clava Cairns?
Clava Cairns dates to around 2000 BC, making it approximately 4,000 years old.
What was Clava Cairns used for?
The site was primarily used as a Bronze Age burial monument, with evidence of cremation burials discovered during archaeological excavations.
Is Clava Cairns older than Stonehenge?
No. The main phases of Stonehenge are generally older than Clava Cairns, although both are prehistoric monuments built thousands of years ago.
Can you visit Clava Cairns for free?
Yes. Clava Cairns is freely accessible to the public and is located a short distance from Inverness.
Did Clava Cairns inspire Outlander?
Yes. The standing stone scenes in Outlander were inspired by Clava Cairns, helping introduce the site to a global audience.
