 The complex of sites at Balnuaran comprises three large cairns, each surrounded by a circle of standing stones. The cairns are Clava cairns. There are about 50 of this type of cairn to the east of Inverness. They were named after the group of three cairns at Balnuaran.
Each cairn has an outer kerb and an inner chamber. The SW Passage and the NE Passage Grave have entrance passages, while the Central Ring Cairn does not. In addition, a stone circle surrounds the tombs.
The passage graves were built during the Neolithic Age to house the bodies of selected individuals, and the stone circles were added later during the Bronze Age.
In addition to its burial uses, the site at some time also had an astronomical function. The Northeast Passage Grave is, for example, aligned with the midwinter solstice, as is the Southwest Passage Grave.
About Balnuaran of Clava
Historic Scotland: Clava Cairns
Undiscovered Scotland: Clava Cairns
Stone Pages: Balnuaran of Clava
Ancient Scotland: Balnuaran of Clava
Megalithic Portal: Balnuaran of Clava NE
Megalithic Portal: Balnuaran of Clava Centre
Megalithic Portal: Balnuaran of Clava SW
Journey to Balnuaran of Clava
The Balnuaran of Clava Cairns are located on a minor road off the B9006 east of Inverness and a mile or so from the Culloden Battlefield in Highland, Scotland.
Ordnance Survey Map (NH7576744478)
Visitors Information
Visitors information may be found at the Historic Scotland website. General tourist information may be found on the Visit the Highlands website.
Additional Photos of Balnuaran of Clava
Descriptive Sign at Balnuaran of Clava
Northeast Passage Grave and Surrounding Stone Circle, Balnuaran of Clava
Northeast Passage Grave, Balnuaran of Clava
Entrance to Northeast Passage Grave, Balnuaran of Clava
Entrance to Northeast Passage Grave, Balnuaran of Clava
Cup Marks on Stone Outside Northeast Passage Grave, Balnuaran of Clava
One of the Stones Encircling the Northeast Passage Grave, Balnuaran of Clava
Central Ring Cairn, Balnuaran of Clava
The Center of the Central Ring Cairn, Balnuaran of Clava
Kerb Cairn, Balnuaran of Clava
Cup Marks on Stone Encircling Kerb Cairn, Balnuaran of Clava
Southwest Passage Grave, Balnuaran of Clava
Entrance to Southwest Passage Grave, Balnuaran of Clava
Southwest Passage Grave and Standing Stone, Balnuaran of Clava
Cup Mark on Stone Encircling Southwest Passage Grave, Balnuaran of Clava
Split Stone Near Southwest Passage Grave, Balnuaran of Clava
Cairn Construction, Balnuaran of Clava
All Three Cairns Viewed from the Southwest Passage Grave, Balnuaran of Clava
|
