 The Grey Cairns of Camster are two of the best preserved Neolithic chambered cairns in Scotland. At the site there are two structures, one round structure approximately 60 feet in diameter and another long structure of approximately 230 feet in length. Both were built during the Neolithic era 5000 years ago.
According to Undiscovered Scotland, the "Camster Round Cairn is nearly complete, though the stones on the roof have largely spilled over the kerb which would originally have surrounded it. It measures 60 feet in diameter by some 12 feet high. A very low and narrow passage leads into the central chamber, which retains its original corbelled construction. During modern restoration a rooflight was added to allow visitors agile and svelte enough to tackle the passage to see the chamber when they reach it. Excavations in the 1800s revealed burnt bones, pottery, and flint tools, along with the remains of a number of skeletons."
About Grey Cairns of Camster: Round Cairn
Undiscovered Scotland: Grey Cairns of Camster
Megalithic Portal: Grey Cairns of Camster: Chambered Round Cairn
Modern Antiquarian: Grey Cairns of Camster
Journey to the Grey Cairns of Camster: Round Cairn
The Camster Round Cairn can be found beside an unclassified single track road which heads in an almost straight line due north from the A99 near Lybster before emerging on the A882 near Watten. It and the nearby Camster Long Cairn are a little over five miles from Lybster and some eight miles from Watten. A wooden boarded path leads from the roadside to the round cairn, then from it to the long cairn, and then back to the road.
Ordnance Survey Map (ND260441)
Visitors Information
Visitors information on the Camster Round Cairn may be found at the Historic Scotland website. General tourist information may be found at the Caithness Tourism website.
Additional Photos of the Grey Cairns of Camster: Round Cairn
Historic Scotland Sign for the Camster Cairns
Camster Round Cairn in the Distance
Approaching the Camster Round Cairn
The Camster Round Cairn
Entrance to the Camster Round Cairn
Entering the Camster Round Cairn
Inside the Camster Round Cairn
Inside the Camster Round Cairn
Inside the Camster Round Cairn
Looking Out from Inside the Camster Round Cairn
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