Clava Cairns – Winter Sunset and Supper by the Fire
A few hours.
The route
Clava Cairns are three Bronze Age burial cairns ringed by standing stones in a quiet wood east of Inverness, and the passages face south-west, towards the midwinter sunset.
In the darker months the sun goes down early, so there's time to watch the last light fall through the stones and still be by the log fire at the Cawdor Tavern, a much-loved country pub, for supper.
Before you go
Book accommodation nearby
If you are staying over: here are ours nearest where the day starts and ends.
The nearest of ours is Boath Cabin, 6 miles away. Sleeps 4; next free Fri 16 Oct to Sun 18 Oct.
Book supper at the Cawdor Tavern
Book a table at the Cawdor Tavern online or on 01667 404777 for about half an hour after sunset: from late October to early March that is between about 4pm and 6.30pm, and food is served every day from noon (12.30pm on Sundays) until 8pm.
The day
Clava
A late afternoon among ancient stones as the light goes, then a warm, unhurried supper by a log fire in a village pub.
About three hours
Clava Cairns
An attraction
Clava Cairns lie in the valley of the River Nairn, below Culloden Battlefield. Park in the free car park beside them. Three Bronze Age cairns stand in a line among old trees, each ringed by standing stones. The two at either end are passage graves, and like others of their kind their entrances face south-west, towards where the sun sets at midwinter; the kerb stones on that side are bigger and redder too. Arrive about half an hour before sunset and give it 30 to 45 minutes. The paths are grass and gravel, there are no toilets, and it gets dark quickly once the sun is down, so bring a torch for the walk back to the car. Dogs are welcome on a lead.
17 min by car
The Cawdor Tavern
Supper
From the cairns it's 17 minutes' drive on to Cawdor village and supper at the Cawdor Tavern, in the old workshop of the estate's joiners. The lounge bar has a log fire and oak panelling that came from Cawdor Castle's dining room, and the main bar a log-burning stove and real ales. Food is served every day from noon (12.30pm on Sundays) until 8pm; book a table online or on 01667 404777. Families are welcome.
If it rains
In rain or a low grey sky there is no sunset to wait for: take a quick look at the stones while it's light, and let supper by the fire at the Cawdor Tavern run long.
Where to stay