Clava Cairns vandalised again after fire lit between 4,000-year-old prehistoric stones
The Bronze Age stone circle has seen its fair share of visitors with its association with time travelling TV show Outlander.
A fire lit in between Bronze Age stones at the Clava Cairns is the latest act of vandalism reported at the ceremonial site popularised by Outlander.
The historic site, near Inverness, had remnants of burnt sticks and ash in a gap in one of the large stones at the monument last week.
Historic Environment Scotland (HES), which manages the site, is currently investigating a series of vandalism at the prehistoric cemetery, including a bonfire being lit within the Bronze Age ceremonial site and burial chamber.
Local resident Avril Service, who runs her own business Avril’s Travels, often highlights the damage at the site. She said she has previously removed burning sticks from the cairns.
Commenting on the latest fire incident, Ms Service said: “This is really disappointing to see.
“What really possesses these folks to do this. Historic Environment Scotland needs to be aware. No fires should be started anywhere never mind a historic site like this.”
Local tour company Seòras Highland and Outlander Tours commented: “Saddened to see on a visit to Clava Cairns that somebody has thought it a good idea to light a fire in the gap in this stone. As highlighted by Avril’s Travels this site is being disrespected by a small number of visitors but this is a different level and needs to be highlighted.”
While Clava Cairns did not feature in the filming of Outlander, many of today’s fans and visitors associate the 4,000 year-old site with ‘Craigh na Dun’, the fictional stone circle where character Claire travels back in time.
Historic Environment Scotland confirmed they had received reports of a fire at the stones earlier this month.
A spokesperson said: “We are aware of an incident at Clava Cairns and are currently investigating this as a potential heritage crime. This follows other recent incidents of vandalism at Clava Cairns and which we are also investigating.
"We encourage visitors to enjoy the site responsibly and to report any suspicious activity or evidence of such to Crimestoppers."
A previous incident saw a Clava Cairns visitor return a stolen rock from the site after he claimed the souvenir had “cursed” his family.
The Belgian tourist became so disturbed by events that he posted the rock back to Scotland where it was received at the tourist office in Inverness.
In an anonymous letter following his visit in 2000 he said that, since returning home with the stone, his daughter had broken her leg, his wife had become very ill, and he had lost his job and broken his arm.
In the correspondence, he said: “I know you will probably be laughing at me, but while you are laughing could you please take this stone back to Clava Cairns?”
The 26 cairns are the only ones of their type on mainland Britain that are surrounded by stone circles and kerbstones.
Passages that bore into the centre of the cairn have been aligned to allow light from the rising and setting midsummer full moon to enter the chambers.
Some of the stones have been positioned in line with other major astronomical events, such as the Equinox. The site is considered a fantastic example of the distant history of the highlands and illustrates the sun and moon worship of the day.
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