Corrimony Chambered Cairn
A 4,000-year-old Neolithic burial site in Glen Urquhart, featuring a well-preserved chambered cairn and surrounding standing stones.
Highlights
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Corrimony Chambered Cairn
Best Time
Best light for photos
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A 4,000-year-old Neolithic burial site in Glen Urquhart, featuring a well-preserved chambered cairn and surrounding standing stones.
"Absolute hidden gem of ancient heritage, beautifully maintained and easily accessible."
🚗 Parking Available
There's a parking area about 100 meters before reaching the cairn. :car:
🚶♀️ Respect the Cairn
Please be respectful and do not climb on the ancient structure. :pray:
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
The Chambered Cairn
Central structure
A remarkably preserved Neolithic burial mound, over 4,000 years old, offering a glimpse into ancient Scottish history.
Standing Stones
Surrounding the cairn
Eleven ancient standing stones encircle the cairn, some featuring cup and ring markings, adding to the site's mystique.
Scenic Highland Location
Glen Urquhart
Nestled in the picturesque Glen Urquhart near Loch Ness, offering peaceful surroundings and beautiful views.
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Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🚗 Parking Available
There's a parking area about 100 meters before reaching the cairn. :car:
🚶♀️ Respect the Cairn
Please be respectful and do not climb on the ancient structure. :pray:
📜 Informative Signage
A sign at the site provides historical context and details about the cairn. :scroll:
🥾 Wear Comfortable Shoes
The site is accessible on foot, so comfortable footwear is recommended. :athletic_shoe:
Tips
from all over the internet
🚗 Parking Available
There's a parking area about 100 meters before reaching the cairn. :car:
🚶♀️ Respect the Cairn
Please be respectful and do not climb on the ancient structure. :pray:
📜 Informative Signage
A sign at the site provides historical context and details about the cairn. :scroll:
🥾 Wear Comfortable Shoes
The site is accessible on foot, so comfortable footwear is recommended. :athletic_shoe:
📸 Drone Photography
Drone footage captures the scale and beauty of the cairn and its surroundings. :camerawithflash:
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors praise Corrimony Chambered Cairn as a stunning, well-maintained historical gem offering a peaceful encounter with ancient heritage. Its scenic location near Loch Ness and its well-preserved structure are highlights, though some note the limited accessibility for wheelchairs.
"Stunning wee place , over four thousand years old with tales of a viking Prince buried beneath ☠️🤍👊 Stunning location,not far from the famous lochNess 💙"
Carl Stansfield
"Really nice bit of history. Theres a parking area 100m before you reach the cairn. Please be respectful and dont climb on it"
Lee Mccaffary
"Neolithic chambered cairn located in a very scenic and peaceful area of the Scottish Highlands."
James W H
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Corrimony Chambered Cairn is located in Glen Urquhart, near Loch Ness. It's accessible by car, with a parking area situated about 100 meters before the cairn itself. Many visitors combine a trip here with exploring Loch Ness. 
While not as widely known as Clava Cairns, it's generally easy to find with GPS. It's often mentioned as a stop on scenic drives through the Highlands.
Public transport options to this specific remote location are limited. It's best accessed by private vehicle or as part of a guided tour.
From Inverness, head west towards Loch Ness and then follow signs for Glen Urquhart. The drive offers beautiful Highland scenery.
Absolutely! It's a perfect addition to a day trip exploring the Loch Ness area, offering a dose of ancient history.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
No, Corrimony Chambered Cairn is a free-to-access historical site. There are no admission fees.
As an outdoor historical site, it is accessible at all times during daylight hours.
There is no entrance fee. The site is open to the public to explore and appreciate its history.
Yes, the interior of the cairn can be accessed by crawling through a tunnel entrance.
The site is described as beautifully maintained and well fenced off, ensuring its preservation.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
It's a Neolithic chambered cairn, a burial mound dating back approximately 4,000 years, surrounded by standing stones.
Its remarkable state of preservation, the surrounding standing stones (some with cup and ring markings), and its alignment for the winter solstice make it unique.
It's generally not too busy, often described as a 'hidden gem' and less crowded than Clava Cairns, offering a peaceful experience.
Believed to be the burial place of a high-status woman, it's a 'Clava type' cairn, showcasing the skill of its Neolithic builders.
The stones encircle the cairn, and some bear ancient cup and ring markings, adding to the site's historical and potentially ritualistic significance.
📸 📸 Photography
Early mornings and late afternoons offer softer light, ideal for capturing the atmosphere and landscape. Drone photography can provide stunning aerial views.
The alignment of the cairn with the winter solstice, the surrounding standing stones, and the scenic Highland backdrop provide excellent photographic subjects.
Yes, drone footage has been used to capture the site, offering unique perspectives of the cairn and its setting.
A wide-angle lens is useful for capturing the standing stones and the cairn in its landscape. A tripod can help with low-light conditions. :camerawithflash:
General photography is permitted. However, always be mindful of other visitors and the historical nature of the site. :iphone:
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Encourage kids to imagine who might have been buried here and what the standing stones were used for. The ability to crawl inside the cairn (with supervision) adds an element of adventure. Remember to emphasize the importance of respecting the ancient site and not climbing on the stones. It's a great opportunity to connect with Scotland's ancient heritage in a hands-on way.
🚗 Road Trippers & Day-Trippers
+1It offers a chance to break up a drive with a dose of ancient history and stunning scenery. The relatively short visit time required means it won't significantly impact your itinerary, making it a perfect 'hidden gem' to discover. Combine it with a visit to Loch Ness or other nearby attractions for a well-rounded day.
+1🚶♀️ History Buffs & Archaeology Enthusiasts
+1Take time to read the informative sign and appreciate the craftsmanship of the Neolithic builders. The surrounding standing stones, some bearing cup and ring markings, offer further avenues for contemplation and research into prehistoric symbolism and ritual.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Neolithic Significance of Corrimony
+1The discovery in 1952 that the cairn was likely the final resting place of a high-status woman adds a layer of intrigue. This suggests a society where women held significant importance, at least in death. The presence of cup and ring markings on some of the surrounding standing stones further hints at a complex symbolic or ritualistic system that archaeologists are still working to fully understand.
+2Visiting Corrimony offers a tangible connection to Scotland's ancient past. It’s a place where you can stand amongst stones that have witnessed millennia, contemplating the lives and beliefs of those who built this enduring monument. The peaceful setting in Glen Urquhart enhances the contemplative experience, making it more than just a historical site, but a place of quiet reflection.
+1Corrimony vs. Clava Cairns
While Clava Cairns is a well-established tourist attraction with more interpretive facilities, Corrimony offers a more intimate and less commercialized experience. Its remarkable state of preservation and the unique atmosphere of its secluded location in Glen Urquhart make it a compelling destination for those seeking a deeper connection with ancient history. Some visitors even prefer Corrimony for its 'cooler' and more authentic feel.
Both sites are invaluable for understanding Scotland's prehistoric heritage. Visiting Corrimony provides a fantastic opportunity to experience a similar type of ancient monument without the larger crowds, allowing for a more personal and reflective encounter with the past.
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