Clava Cairns, also known as the Balnuaran of Clava, is a prehistoric cemetery beside the River Nairn, a short drive from Culloden. The site holds three large burial cairns, two with passages and one ring cairn, built roughly four thousand years ago in the Bronze Age. Each is surrounded by a circle of standing stones, and the passage cairns are aligned toward the midwinter sunset, which means a late-year visit has a special resonance. A grove of tall beech trees shelters the stones, so the setting feels more like a hidden clearing than a field monument. Historic Environment Scotland looks after the site, which is free to visit and open all year. There is a small car park, and the access road has a weight limit, so large coaches cannot use it. Visitors are welcome to walk between the stones and look into the passage cairns. Fans of Outlander often come here because the stones inspired the story's Craigh na Dun, although the television series filmed elsewhere.
The cairns are impressive because of how carefully they were built. The passage cairns have a narrow entrance leading to a central chamber, once roofed with corbelled stone, while the ring cairn is an open circle with a kerb. Standing stones around each cairn are graded in height, and some bear cup marks. Archaeologists think the monuments were used for ritual as well as burial across many generations.
Visiting is simple. There are no tickets and no staff, and information panels explain what you are looking at. Allow about thirty to forty-five minutes, which makes it an easy stop between Culloden and the Moray Firth coast. Winter is a fine time to come, because the bare branches let in low light, but the ground can be wet and muddy, so wear waterproof footwear.
Please treat the stones with respect. They are protected ancient monuments, and visitors are asked to stay off the cairn tops and avoid leaving offerings. Combined with Culloden Battlefield, the site gives you a sweep of Highland history from the Bronze Age to the eighteenth century in a single morning.
What to expect
The experience
A free, self-guided walk around three prehistoric cairns and their standing stones in a beech grove.
Best time
Early morning or late afternoon, when the low sun comes through the trees, and dry days to avoid mud.
How long
Thirty to forty-five minutes, longer if you linger or photograph.
Tips
Wear waterproof shoes, read the information boards, and stay off the cairn tops.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Ancient history fans, Outlander followers and anyone wanting a free, atmospheric stop.
- Families
- A short, free stop that children like for the tunnel-like passages and the stone circles.
- Couples
- A peaceful, romantic woodland setting, ideal for a morning stroll.
- Pair with
- Culloden Battlefield and Fort George.
- Time needed
- Under an hour.
Good questions
Is Clava Cairns free?+
Yes, Historic Environment Scotland lists the site as free to visit. There are no tickets to book.
When is it open?+
The site is open year-round, and the stones can be visited at any time of day, though daylight hours are best in winter. HES does not list separate staffed hours.
How do I get there?+
It is about six miles east of Inverness near Culloden. A car or taxi is easiest, and the access road has a weight limit that excludes large coaches.
Was Outlander filmed here?+
The stones inspired Craigh na Dun in the books, but the television series filmed its stone circle elsewhere. The site still draws many fans for its atmosphere.
How long should I allow?+
Thirty to forty-five minutes is enough to see all three cairns. Combine it with Culloden for a half-day.
