The Clava Cairns, also known as the Balnuaran of Clava, are a group of Bronze Age circular chamber tomb cairns located near Inverness in the Highlands of Scotland. They are a notable prehistoric site with burial cairns and standing stones set within a well-preserved archaeological landscape.
The Clava Cairns are situated approximately 6 miles east of Inverness, near the village of Culloden in the Highlands of Scotland.
The Clava Cairns are of great historical and cultural significance as they provide insights into the burial practices, beliefs, and social structure of people who lived in the area over 4,000 years ago. Their impressive state of preservation and distinctive architectural features, including the alignment with the winter solstice sunset, make them an important part of Scotland's heritage.
Visitors to Clava Cairns can explore several different types of burial cairns, including passage graves, ring cairns, and kerb cairns. There are also numerous standing stones, some of which are arranged in circles around the cairns, and others that line up with astronomical events.
The Clava Cairns are an open-air site with no entry fee. Visitors can explore the site for free at any reasonable time during daylight hours.
The site is fairly basic with limited facilities. There are no visitor centers or cafes at Clava Cairns. Visitors should be prepared for an outdoor experience and might want to bring necessary provisions. Depending on the time of year, there may be portable toilets available.
Yes, there is a small parking area near the site which is accessible to visitors. During peak tourist seasons, the parking area may become full quickly, so arriving early is recommended.
The Clava Cairns can be visited year-round, but the best time to visit is during the summer months when the days are longer and the weather is generally more favorable for outdoor activities. Visiting during the winter solstice can also be special, as this is when the cairns' alignment with the sunset is particularly noticeable.
The site is on natural terrain which may present challenges for wheelchair users. The ground can be uneven, and there aren't any paved pathways. However, with assistance, some parts of the site may still be accessible to those with limited mobility.
While there are no regular guided tours provided at Clava Cairns, visitors can often find local tour companies in Inverness that include the cairns as part of their itinerary. Alternatively, visitors can explore the site independently.
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