Ham Chambered Cairn

A peculiar prehistoric monument, with vast views across the Pentland Firth, this mound has the appearance of a sort of cairn but may be an earth-house or souterrain. While there is no designated parking nearby, look for a sensible spot which will not inconvenience farmers or other road users.

Additional Information

Ham Chambered Cairn has long been cited by Caithness Broch Project as an antidote to crowded archaeological sites like Skara Brae or Stonehenge. Here we have some raw archaeology, and you’ll have it all to yourself.

The site itself presents something of a mystery, however. Distinguished by a small bump in the landscape against the northern cliffs of Caithness, the site can be accessed from the south by a long, slightly curved passage – about 6 metres in length. It’s a tight squeeze, especially since it’s under a metre high!

It is quite an experience to clamber into this site, however, and well worth a visit. Be careful though, as it is several thousand years old – if you are not comfortable entering, then it is best to admire it from the outside.

You can find out more about Ham Chambered Cairn, as well as other archaeological and historical sites, on Canmore, Scotland’s historic environment record.