
This single stone is aligned exactly east – west.
This single stone is aligned exactly east – west.
The standing stone, looking NE. Across the field (right of picture), covered in brush and vegetation, are the possible remains of a cairn.
Central stone plus some field clearance.
Only a 2m standing stone can now be seen here but a resistivity survey indicated that it was next to a ploughed out cairn about 20m in diameter so it should be included in the Balnuaran of Clava cemetery.
We head back to the Mains of Clava standing stone that we’d bypassed on our way earlier. It stands in a field right next to the road, so unless there are animals about, access is as straightforward as can be. The current OS 1/25000 shows a “Chambered Cairn” to the NE of the standing stone, but all we can see is an overgrown area with some possible field clearance. [Post-visit check of Canmore reveals nothing either.]
The stone itself is rather fine, at least six feet tall and very solid and chunky. It appears to serve as a rubbing stone, but there are no animals in the field today.
We have a quick look over the wall in the vicinity of the Mains of Clava SE site, but it all looks very overgrown and the wall in between isn’t particularly inviting for climbing, so we decline a closer look.
Never noticed before but the stone is aligned exactly east west.
If you’re approaching the main cairns at Balnuaran and Miltown of Clava from the direction of Culloden (as most will be), this will be the first site you come across. Situated in the field immediately preceding the Balnuaran of Clava grove, it’s a single stone situated in the centre of the field.
This site is listed as “Not accessible to the public” by Historic Scotland, although there is certainly nothing to stop you other than the field and possibly its animal inhabitants!
Certainly not as exciting as the main feature at Balnuaran of Clava, but worth a quick look. But don’t forget to cross the road and also have a look at Mains of Clava SE.