Ultimate Guide to Clava Cairns Standing Stones Inverness
Wondering if the Standing Stones at Clava Cairns? Are They Worth a Visit? Are They Close to Inverness? Easy to Get to?
I’ve got all the answers for you! I have personal experience traveling all across Scotland – including visiting Clava Cairns and Inverness many times! I’ve driven across the Highlands to Clava Cairns and have even taken a taxi there- all just to try my luck at going through the stones at “Outlander’s Craigh Na Dun” to find a one kilted James Fraser 😉.
Based on these experiences in Scotland, I can confidently say you should add these prehistoric burial mounds to your Inverness, Scotland itinerary– even if you don’t care about Outlander.
This blog post covers everything you need to know about a visit to Clava Cairns.
Clava Cairns NEED to Know Info:
✅ Close to Inverness (~15 min drive)
✅ Opening Hours: 24 hours/7 days
✅ FREE to visit!
Visiting Clava Cairns: Inverness, Scotland
A visit to Clava Cairns near Inverness is, luckily, very easy to manage!
The site is open 24/7, and you do not have to pay to get in. Therefore, you can visit whenever it is convenient in your Scotland itinerary!
You won’t need more than a half hour here. This was more than enough time to wander around the two stone circles, see everything, and take some fantastic photos.
Sadly, you likely won’t go through the stones to find a certain James Fraser (Believe me…I’ve tried twice! lol!).
🚨 Remember that this is a protected burial ground and historic site. Please do not damage any of the stones or the area out of respect.
How to Get to Clava Cairns From Inverness
All in all, I’d say that the standing stones are pretty easy to get to from Inverness.
Clava Cairns is located just over 11 km (7 miles) outside of the city. It is about a 15-minute ride one way.
⭐ IMPORTANT TIP: The last part of the journey to Clava Cairns is on a one-way dirt road. It is SMALL! And you cross a pretty tiny bridge on the way. Cars can easily traverse this, but we tried to take a tour bus over it once…did not work!
Inverness to Clava Cairns by Car
Clava Cairns is most easily accessible via car. If you have a rental car, this is an easy trip to make from Inverness.
As mentioned above, the drive will take you about 15 minutes.
Inverness to Clava Cairns by Taxi
During my last trip to Scotland, I did not have a rental car, so I tried to arrange Ubers to take us to the historic burial site. It did not work! There were none available.
Instead, we took 5 separate taxis (we had a big group!). We easily found taxis waiting outside of the Inverness train station, which is located in the center of the city.
Each taxi cost us about £25 for the journey from Inverness Train Station to Clava Cairns with a 15-minute waiting period and then a drop-off at Culloden Battlefield. We fit 4 people into a taxi.
You could also arrange taxis from your local Inverness hotel.
Inverness to Clava Cairns by Guided Tour
If you don’t have a rental car and you’re uncomfortable taking a taxi, another great way to visit Clava Cairns is by taking a guided tour.
There are not currently any tours that visit only the cairns, but there are plenty that depart from Inverness and visit a few popular Scottish sites.
For instance, this tour combines a visit to Clava Cairns with other locations such as Beauly Priory (an Outlander filming location), Culloden Moor, and Urquhart Castle with a boat cruise on Loch Ness. Or, if you’re looking for a private tour option, this private tour that takes visitors to the Glen Ord Whisky Distillery, Clava Cairns, Culloden, and even Loch Ness is ridiculously well-reviewed and would be a great way to visit the standing stones (and it’s led by a man in a kilt…I’m just sayin’ 😉)
Clava Cairns to Culloden Battlefield
It is super easy and convenient to go from Clava Cairns to Culloden Battlefield, so I tend to lump them together on my Scotland itineraries.
Culloden is about 5 minutes from Clava Cairns, just over 2.5 km (1.5 mi) away.
I’ve driven from Clava Cairns to Culloden Battlefield myself, and I have also booked a taxi to wait at the standing stones while we explored and then take my party to Culloden. Both worked seamlessly.
Either way, both sights are amazing to see (And they’re both connected to Outlander, too!).
Clava Cairns Tour
You don’t really need a tour of Clava Cairns. There are a few signposts to read that contain historical information, but you can mostly just wander around the site on your own.
You only need about a half hour to see the entire Bronze Age historic site that makes up Clava Cairns.
The only reason I would recommend a tour is if you need a way to get to the burial cairns from somewhere like Edinburgh. Then, it would just be a stop on your tour itinerary.
What Are the Clava Cairns Standing Stones?
The standing stones at Clava Cairns are actually remnants of a 4,000-year-old burial mound- The Prehistoric Burial Cairns of Bulnuaran of Clava- from the Bronze Age. The site is under the protection of the Historic Environment Scotland.
Altogether, there are three burial mounds at the site- cairns surrounded by another circle of standing stones. The central ring cairn is the largest and most distinctive of the cairns. But there are also passage graves- narrow passages that lead into a central burial chamber.
What makes these passage graves and other stone circles really intriguing is that they are intentionally aligned to the movements of the sun. On the winter solstice, an important day in Scotland, light from the sun shines through the passageways of two of the cairns, creating a mesmerizing light spectacle.
This ONLY happens on the winter solstice; Imagine the planning that must have taken!
The History of Clava Cairns
The site’s purpose, while primarily thought to be a burial ground, is shrouded in mystery. Some theorize that it was also used for ritualistic or astronomical purposes, given its precise alignment with the solstice.
Past excavations at this Historic Environment Scotland site have revealed artifacts like pottery shards, flint tools, and human remains, providing a glimpse into the life and death of the Bronze Age people. In addition, the standing stones have been found to have ancient cup marks, another indication that the site was likely used for ritualistic purposes.
Today, Clava Cairns is a place to visit that beautifully opens our eyes to prehistoric history we might otherwise have lost, giving us a chance to walk the same ground that Bronze Age people did thousands of years ago.
Clava Cairns & Outlander
Clava Cairns and Outlander are two words that you often hear together. After all, it is suspected that the Clava Cairns standing stones were the original inspiration for Craigh Na Dun in Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander novels.
While there are plenty of ancient stone circles in Scotland, these are the closest to Inverness. Since the story of Claire going through the stones begins in Inverness, it makes sense that these would inspire it!
And, although visitors to the Standing Stones have increased drastically since the onset of the Outlander television series, Clava Cairns was never used as a filming location for Outlander! They are not the standing stones pictured when Claire goes through the stones.
These stones near Inverness are just an easily accessible ring of stones that many people have chosen to visit.
⭐If you are into Outlander, here’s a full article regarding the top Outlander tours in Scotland!
Frequently Asked Questions About Clava Cairns Standing Stones
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions regarding visiting the standing stones at Clava Cairns:
Is Clava Cairns Worth Visiting?
I get asked this question a LOT! After all, the site of the standing stones is pretty small, and you do have to do a little work to get there. Yes, Clava Cairns is worth a visit. It’s a unique historic site with tons of stories that lie within its grounds.
I’ve taken more than 50 people to visit Clava Cairns- even people who had no idea what Outlander was and were definitely skeptical. Every single person has said how cool and different the burial cairns were and how much they enjoyed it.
Was Outlander Filmed at Clava Cairns?
No, Outlander was never filmed at Clava Cairns. The site is primarily associated with the show in people’s minds because the standing stones are similar to the ones Claire Fraser traveled through.
Is Clava Cairns Free?
Clava Cairns is free to visit! And you do not need to make any type of reservation. The site is open 24/7 for visitors.
Can You Walk From Culloden to Clava Cairns?
Technically, yes, you could walk from Culloden to Clava Cairns. But I would not recommend it. There is no footpath, and the walk would be a lengthy one. Plus, there are no facilities at the historic site, and at some points you may not have cell phone reception.
Conclusion: Clava Cairns in Inverness, Scotland
It’s probably pretty obvious by now that Clava Cairns in Inverness, Scotland, is a special place worth visiting. It’s perfect for people who love history, fans of the show Outlander, or anyone who enjoys quiet, mysterious spots.
Walking among these old stones is like stepping back in time. It’s calm and interesting, making you feel connected to the past. Even if you’re just passing through the Scottish Highlands, it’s a great stop near Inverness that doesn’t take a ton of time. These ancient stones are a quiet break from our busy world, offering a simple yet deep experience that stays with you long after you leave.
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