Aviemore Ring Cairn and Stone Circle

Dating back to around 2400-2200 BC, the Aviemore Ring Cairn and Stone Circle is a fascinating example of a Clava-type ring cairn, similar to those found in the nearby Nairn Valley. These structures, built by Bronze Age communities, served both as burial sites and ceremonial grounds.

The cairn's most notable features include the outer ring of monoliths, with only four stones remaining today, down from seven in 1877. These stones are set about 17 feet from the kerb, creating a dramatic and imposing sight. The site also has a slightly raised bank against the outside of the kerb. Inside, traces of the inner ring stones can still be seen, although many have been covered with soil for protection.

Scheduled as a monument in 1935, the Aviemore Ring Cairn and Stone Circle has been the focus of preservation efforts by Badenoch and Strathspey District Council. Despite being engulfed by a housing estate, the site remains accessible and well-maintained. Recent excavations at similar Clava-type cairns have unearthed fragments of burnt human bone, suggesting these sites were places of communal burial. Evidence also indicates that the cairns were focal points for religious rituals, particularly those related to the setting of the mid-winter sun.