Camster Cairns

Camster Cairns are probably the best known neolithic site in Caithness. The local area is rich in remains, including cairns, cists, and a stone row. The Camster Cairns consists of two chambers: Camster Long and Camster Round. Excavations began in the mid 1850’s when Camster Round was discovered, further excavations in the 1860’s revealed a long, low passage leading into a lofty chamber which still has its original corbelled roof largely intact. In more recent times, further excavations and restoration works has left us with one of the best-preserved Neolithic chambered cairns in northern Scotland. Large slabs divide the chamber into three. Neolithic remains of human bone, animal bone, flint and charcoal in large quantities have been found.

Camster Long is a more complex monument. Including the horns at both ends, it measures just over 60 meters. Two chambers are located in the north end of the cairn of which they appeared to be enclosed in a single cairn. Its thought that they were separate structures before being incorporated into the long cairn that we now know today.

There is plenty of evidence of activity prior to the existence of the Camster Cairns. Finds of pottery, flint and charcoal dating back as long ago as 4000BC, indicate that early neolithic peoples were using it as a temporary site and for the manufacture of stone tools.

The Camster Cairns are well worth a visit, even when the sun is not shining. You get a feel for the atmosphere and the hard conditions that the first settlers were exposed to. Access is easy, with road side parking, it’s free, and there is a made up walk way from the road to the cairns. Just three miles north of Canisp House Bed and Breakfast.