Corrimony Chambered Cairn

Highland, United Kingdom

Built some 4,000 years ago, Corrimony Cairn is a passage grave of the Clava type. Built by neolithic farmers, skilled in working stone, they were the first people to domesticate animals, till the land and clear the forests for farming, their society was cooperative.

Corrimony Chambered Cairn was built for collective burials, the beliefs of the builders remain unknown, it is believed these people existed from 3,500BC to 1,500Bc. Each group had their own collective tomb, built with the help of other groups in the area, with feasts and gifts being given to the helpers.

The astronomical alignment and orientation (the entrance passage is orientated towards the south west), has led people to suggest that the builders of Corrimony Chambered Cairn believed in the migration of the souls of the dead to the stars.

There is eveidence in some tombs that the bodies were prepared for the journey, with the bodies being dimembered, ceramic vessels shattered and animal bones indicate food offerings. Fires were then lit so the tomb acted as a crematorium.

Pieces of the original capstone, decorated with cup-mark designs, are still to be seen on top of the cairn. For a monument built four thousand years ago, Corrimony Chambered Cairnis remarkably well preserved, the best example in the region. Corrimony-cairn5.jpgIt was excavated in 1952, in the centre of the cairn there was only a dark stain visible evidence that any remains had deteriorated in the acid soil.

There are 12 standing stones surrounding Corrimony Cairn, is suspected that some of these may have been added since the building of the original cairn.

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User Reviews

Yari Dockx (2 years ago)
Absolute hidden gem of ancient heritage. Beautifully maintained, well fenced off and easily accessible on foot or by car. The small site is accompanied by an informative sign to get some lovely lesson on the cairns history.
Simon Eustace (3 years ago)
To the untrained eye you would just see a pile of pebbles, but when you read up on the history of the Cairns, there are fascinating places, definitely worth a 15 minute stop to break up your road trip through Scotland. If you want to increase the air of mystery I recommend visiting here at night, it's so spooky, don't go alone ! . Parking available in a small lay-by 2 minutes walk away
John Lancaster (4 years ago)
Fascinating place to visit. A Cairn 4,000 years old remarkably well preserved. Surrounded by a circle of standing stones. A detailed information board about the site is provided. Free entry and a small car park nearby but not wheelchair accessible. If you enjoy visiting Neolithic sites then I would recommend it.
Epic gamerZ (PrimateMC) (5 years ago)
As old as the Pyramids. Fair impressed!
Mike Clayton (5 years ago)
Easy access and an amazing structure, if you you enjoy visiting ancient sites.
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