CLAVA CAIRNS

Clava Cairns: The Inspiration for Craigh na Dun in Outlander

Clava Cairns is a bronze age historical landmark in Scotland, near Inverness.

The ancient cemetery is about 4000 years old and is regarded as the inspiration for Craigh na Dun in Outlander.

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I visited Clava Cairns on a quiet early morning as part of my journey walking from John O’Groats to Lands End.

Read this guide if you would like to learn the history of Clava Cairns, more information on the connection to Outlander or if you are planning your own journey.

Clava Cairns at a Glance

• Location: Near Inverness, Scottish Highlands
• Age: Around 4,000 years old (Bronze Age)
• Known for: Ancient Cemetery & inspiring the standing stones at Craigh na Dun in Outlander
• Entry: Free
• Parking: Small car park (around 20 spaces)
• Best time to visit: Early morning

Visiting Clava Cairns

Clava Cairns is an ancient burial site that sits close to Culloden Battlefield, near Inverness.

During my journey of walking from John O’Groats to Lands End I visited Clava Cairns early in the morning around 7.30/8am.

Earlier on my journey through the Highlands I also visited the Fyrish Monument overlooking Evanton.

When arriving at Clava Cairns, there was a couple also there and they completed their visit as I started mine. I then had the site all to myself for the entire duration I was there.

During a visit to Clava Cairns you can expect to see within the woodland area, three main cairns surrounded by stone circles and standing stones.

You can see more of what it’s like walking around Clava Cairns in my video below.

What Is Craigh na Dun in Outlander?

Many fans of Outlander visit Clava Cairns when exploring Outlander filming locations in Scotland, as the ancient standing stones closely resemble the fictional circle at Craigh na Dun.

Craigh na Dun is the fictional standing stone circle from the Outlander series, written by Diana Gabaldon.

This is where the main character Claire Fraser first travels through time as certain characters of the series are able to travel through time by touching the standing stone.

Was Outlander filmed at Clava Cairns?

No. Many Outlander fans visit Clava Cairns because it closely resembles the fictional stones of Craigh na Dun.

It is also believed that Clava Cairns was the inspiration for Craigh na Dun.

Craigh na Dun is fictional and the filming location to bring it to life is near Kinloch Rannoch.

Where Was the Real Craigh na Dun Filmed?

The filming location is near Kinloch Rannoch and the stones were built as a set.

Fans often visit Clava Cairns because it resembles the standing stones in Outlander.

The History of Clava Cairns

Bronze Age Origins

Clava Cairns, located near Inverness in the Scottish Highlands, was built during the Bronze Age in Scotland and dates back around 4,000 years (approx. 2000 BC).

It is one of the best-preserved Bronze Age sites in Scotland.

It was built by local farming communities living in the area, which suggests that at this time there were organised societies capable of large construction projects.

They used locally sourced stones to construct the cairns.

The Burial Cairns

The site contains three main cairns (stone-built burial mounds), all designed with a central chamber for placing the dead, with passageways leading into the centre of each cairn.

These cairns are surrounded by rings of standing stones.

It is likely the cairns were used for important individuals.

Standing Stones and Winter Solstice Alignment

Clava Cairns, near Culloden to the east of Inverness is where you can visit all year round three well preserved prehistoric cairns suggesting a Bronze Age society.

These cairns were built to house the dead and are positioned in a line running north-east to south-west.

The standing stones are graded in height with the tallest facing the sun when it sets in the south-west. This suggests that it was designed to align with the midwinter sunset.

The author of Outlander, Diana Gabaldon likely based the fictional standing stones of Craigh na Dun in the book on Clava Cairns as they are close to Culloden Battlefield.

Walking Clava Cairns to Culloden Battlefield

Clava Cairns to Culloden Battlefield is a 2.50km (1.55 miles) walk along the road.

Be careful at the bridge crossing the River Nairn as there are no paths and large buses make their journey down to Clava Cairns.

You can also make a day of it and walk from Clava Cairns to the Battlefield Centre then continue into the Culloden Woods before making your way to the Culloden centre.

Depending on how much exploring you do the entire walk can be 11km (6.84 miles).

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Is Clava Cairns Free to Visit?

Yes, Clava Cairns is free to visit and can be visited all year round.

How to Get to Clava Cairns

Driving to Clava Cairns From Inverness

• Distance: around 6.7 miles (10.78 km)
• Time: roughly 15-20 minutes

Route:

• Leave Inverness heading east on the B9006 (Culloden Road)
• Follow signs towards Culloden Battlefield
• Clava Cairns is just after Culloden Battlefield

Walking to or from Clava Cairns

I haven’t done this walk personally, only having walked from Clava Cairns to Culloden Centre. However, it is estimated as being a 2 and half hour walk.

Clava Cairns Tours

If you would prefer to be guided for the day take a look at the tours below.

Accommodation in Inverness Near Clava Cairns

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