Inverness & Loch Ness
Clava Cairns
About
Clava Cairns
Only a short drive away from Inverness, Clava Cairns is a 4,000 year-old burial site. It is located in a peaceful woodland area close to the River Nairn, that has standing stones and well-preserved Bronze Age passage burials, some aligned the midwinter sun. History lovers and Outlander fans alike should not miss Clava Cairns, which is free to see and accessible all year round. It provides a atmospheric glimpse into the ancient Highland life.
Things to see & do
FAQs
The Clava Cairns are around 4,000 years old, dating from the Bronze Age about 2000 BC. They rank among the best-preserved prehistoric burial cairns in Scotland.
The Clava Cairns inspired the standing stone circles used as time-travel portals in Outlander, most famously Craigh na Dun. The fictional stones were filmed elsewhere, but the cairns are closely tied to the series and draw plenty of fans.
Managed by Historic Environment Scotland, the Clava Cairns are free to visit at any time. They sit just outside Inverness near the B9006, about a mile from Culloden Battlefield.
Dogs on leads are welcome at Clava Cairns, an open-access site looked after by Historic Environment Scotland. It's largely flat and easy to walk around.
Book a private tour and explore
Clava Cairns
with a local expert guide.
Start Planning Your Scotland Adventure
Please contact us if you’d like to customise an existing tour or if you want to create a bespoke tour specifically for you and your group.
Our expert team of advisors are here to help.
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