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The site at Balnuaran of Clava comprises of two chambered cairns and a ring cairn, each surrounded by a stone circle. The site has given its name to two varieties of cairns found in and around the Inverness area (ring cairn and passage grave). It was originally thought that the site dates from the late-Neolithic but recent excavation work suggests they may be later, from the Bronze Age.

The passageways of the two burial cairns or passage-graves are aligned to the midwinter solstice, the day with the shortest period of daylight in the year. The kerb stones and the standing stones are also graded in size, becoming larger towards the southwest and the midwinter sunset. Excavations in 1828, 1857 and the 1950s revealed pieces of pottery and flint and cremated human bones. The site was obviously of great significance and was possibly reserved for people of high status.

This illustration is taken from 'The Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland' vol.3

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