Ancient burial sites dot the British Isles, ranging from very large (like Stonehenge) to very small. Not far from the Culloden Battle Field is a well preserved site known as the Clava Cairns.

Since we visited the Clava Cairns site as part of our WOW Scotland tour from Invergordon, I can’t tell you how to get there. But once you arrive at the site you park in a small parking lot and then walk through a gate in the fence. There is some information on a plaque near this gate, once through the gate it is just a short walk to the burial mounds.

What You Will See at the Clava Cairns

We were lucky to have a guide with us when we visited the Clava Cairns. He was able to show us around and do some interpretive history for us. Everything about the Clava Cairns is speculation since they are so old they pre-date recorded history.

Without a guide the Clava Cairns are still cool to see, but they will mostly just appear to be large piles of rocks with standing stones set around them. When I am at a site like this I like to just wander around it and think of the ancient people who lived there and what their lives might have been like.

Sum Up

The Clava Cairns are a great place to visit if you are in to ancient sites. I think it ranks among the oldest, if not the oldest, sites I have ever been to on our travels. It is more of a road side stop than a destination in itself. If you are at the Battle of Culloden anyway it is certainly worth it to drive the short distance to the cairns.