Visiting the Clava Cairns from Inverness
By Gordon Pearson on 18th January 2011
Just a few miles from the bustling centre of Inverness lies a site so steeped in ancient mystery, it almost demands hushed tones and a pinch of imagination. Welcome to Clava Cairns — a 4,000-year-old Bronze Age burial site where the air feels a little heavier, the trees seem to whisper secrets, and time might, just might, be a bit bendy.
For history buffs, spiritual wanderers, and yes — Outlander fans — Clava Cairns offers something deeply evocative: a connection to the distant past that’s as tangible as the weathered stones beneath your feet.
Dating back to around 2000 BC, the Clava Cairns were built by people with no written language, no metal tools, and (presumably) no GPS. Yet what they lacked in technology they made up for in precision, symbolism, and stone-moving stamina. The site is made up of three main burial cairns — two passage cairns and one ring cairn — each surrounded by standing stones carefully arranged with astronomical purpose.
The passage cairns are aligned with the setting sun at midwinter, suggesting these were more than just graves — they were sacred spaces, calendars, and perhaps even spiritual portals. The ring cairn, notably sealed, remains a riddle: Was it ceremonial? Symbolic? Or just for someone important who didn’t fancy visitors?
Some of the stones are marked with ancient “cup marks” — small depressions carved into their surfaces. Their purpose? Still debated. Their impact? Undeniably haunting.
If you’re an Outlander fan, this is where things get properly goosebumpy. While Clava Cairns did not directly inspire the iconic stone circle of Craigh na Dun (Diana Gabaldon didn’t visit until after writing the first book), the author herself has described Clava as its “spiritual home”. And honestly? Stand amongst the weathered stones at twilight, and you might start listening for the hum of unseen forces too.
Many visitors come half-hoping for a bit of time-travelling magic — and while we can’t promise you’ll wake up in 1743, we can say you’ll leave with a deep sense of wonder.
Clava Cairns is located just 6 miles east of Inverness — a perfect stop on a Highland adventure. It’s open year-round, free to enter, and blessedly untouched by commercialisation. There are no gift shops or cafés, just nature, silence, and stones that have seen more winters than you can count.
For those looking to experience it with expert insight Clava Cairns is included on the Classic Highland Tour from Invergordon. Or take a private tour, and we’ll help you explore at your own pace, questions, camera angles, and all.
Combine your visit with a trip to nearby Culloden Battlefield, the site of the last battle fought on British soil. It’s a powerful pairing — ancient rituals and more recent tragedy, both wrapped up in the Highland landscape. You’re also close to Nairn, Cawdor Castle, and endless stretches of forest and moor.
There’s something elemental about Clava Cairns. Maybe it’s the way the light hits the stones. Maybe it’s the silence. Maybe it’s the sense that you’re not alone — not in a creepy way, but in a deeply connected, soul-stirring way.
So whether you’re on a mission to trace ancient footsteps, get closer to Claire and Jamie’s world, or just want to experience something completely unique, Clava Cairns delivers. Quietly. Powerfully. Timelessly.
Join us at Clava Cairns on a journey through Scotland’s ancient soul. We’ll bring the stories — you bring the imagination.
