Cuween Hill Chambered Cairn
Crawl into a 5,000-year-old Neolithic tomb, discover ancient secrets, and enjoy stunning Orkney views.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Best Time
Beat the crowds
Cuween Hill Chambered Cairn
Best Time
Beat the crowds
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Crawl into a 5,000-year-old Neolithic tomb, discover ancient secrets, and enjoy stunning Orkney views.
"It's the best tomb/cairn on Orkney, and it's free."
🔦 Bring Your Own Light
The provided torch may not work. A headtorch is ideal for exploring the dark interior of the cairn.
🐾 Crawl with Curiosity
The entrance is low! Be prepared to crawl on all fours to enter this ancient burial chamber.
Quick Facts
Hours
Rating
4.7 · 173 reviews
Type
Historical Landmark
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
The Neolithic Tomb
Inside the Cairn
Crawl into this 5,000-year-old burial chamber with its intricate corbelled roof and side chambers.
Panoramic Orkney Views
Hilltop
Enjoy breathtaking 180° views of the Orkney coastline and Bay of Firth from the cairn's elevated position.
Canine and Human Remains
Inside the Cairn
Discover the fascinating history of human and dog skulls found within this ancient burial site.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Crawl In for History
Embrace the Quiet
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🔦 Bring Your Own Light
The provided torch may not work. A headtorch is ideal for exploring the dark interior of the cairn.
🐾 Crawl with Curiosity
The entrance is low! Be prepared to crawl on all fours to enter this ancient burial chamber.
🚗 Limited Parking
Parking is scarce (space for ~4 cars). Arrive early or be ready for a short uphill walk.
🚶♀️ Enjoy the Hike
A short, modest climb leads to the cairn, offering rewarding views along the way.
Tips
from all over the internet
🔦 Bring Your Own Light
The provided torch may not work. A headtorch is ideal for exploring the dark interior of the cairn.
🐾 Crawl with Curiosity
The entrance is low! Be prepared to crawl on all fours to enter this ancient burial chamber.
🚗 Limited Parking
Parking is scarce (space for ~4 cars). Arrive early or be ready for a short uphill walk.
🚶♀️ Enjoy the Hike
A short, modest climb leads to the cairn, offering rewarding views along the way.
🤫 Seek Solitude
Many visitors recommend experiencing the cairn alone for a more profound connection to history.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors are captivated by the ancient history and unique experience of crawling into the 5,000-year-old Cuween Hill Chambered Cairn. The stunning hilltop views are a significant draw, offering a beautiful contrast to the subterranean exploration. While the low entrance and limited parking are noted challenges, the overall feeling is one of awe and a profound connection to the past.
"The entrance to this place is way less than a meter tall. Unless you're a small child, the only way to get in here is by crawling in your all fours. Not sure how it's inside as we didn't feel like getting dirty to find out.
There's a torch there that you can use, which is really nice, though it needed new batteries or to be charged so it wasn't of much use.
If you go a bit above it you'll find some cairns made by people from our times, which look really good. Make sure to go up there and a piece yourself if you're here!"
Vlad Schnakovszki
"A really interesting cairn that it is absolutely worth squeezing down the narrow entrance passage to visit!
You'll need a torch for inside as it is very dark. We had head torches and there was one provided near the entrance but it wasn't working.
There isn't much parking at the start of a short uphill walk to Cuween (space for 4 cars max), but we had the place to ourselves when we arrived."
Kieron Murphy
"Not for the faint-hearted that's for sure. I'm claustrophobic but curious so I did squeeze down the narrow passage into the chamber itself. It was beautifully built and entering in, exiting out definitely felt like a rite of passage of some kind."
ghislaine headland-vanni
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Cuween Hill Chambered Cairn is located on Mainland Orkney. Access involves a short, uphill walk from a small parking area. While public transport options are limited, it's often visited as part of a wider Orkney itinerary, potentially with a rental car or organized tour. 
Parking is very limited, with space for only about 4 cars. It's advisable to arrive early, especially during peak season, or be prepared for a short walk from a nearby area.
The approach to the cairn involves a short, modest climb up a grassy hill. The path is generally manageable but can be uneven.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
No, Cuween Hill Chambered Cairn is generally free to visit. It's a site managed by Historic Scotland, but access is typically open without an admission fee.
As an open-air historical site, Cuween Hill Chambered Cairn doesn't have strict opening hours. It's accessible during daylight hours. However, it's best to visit when there's sufficient natural light for exploration and safety.
Entry requires crawling on your hands and knees through a very low, narrow passage. This 'squat/crawl entrance' is a unique aspect of the site.
A torch is sometimes provided near the entrance, but visitors strongly recommend bringing your own headtorch as the provided one may be out of batteries or not working.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
Inside, you'll find a central chamber with four smaller side chambers, all constructed with corbelling and capstones. The remains of humans and dogs have been excavated here.
This Neolithic tomb, built around 3000 BC, predates Stonehenge and Rome. It's a remarkable example of sophisticated Stone Age architecture and burial practices, notably the inclusion of dog remains.
The hilltop offers spectacular 180° panoramic views of the Orkney coastline, including the Bay of Firth. It's a beautiful spot to appreciate the landscape.
Due to the low entrance requiring crawling and the uneven terrain, it is not suitable for individuals with significant mobility issues or those who are claustrophobic.
Photography is generally permitted, but be mindful of the confined space and the need for a light source. Using a tripod might be challenging.
📸 📸 Photography
Capture the dramatic entrance, the intricate stonework inside, and the stunning panoramic views from the hilltop. The contrast between the ancient tomb and the modern landscape is also a great subject.
Given the low light, use a wide aperture (low f-number) and a higher ISO setting. A tripod or stable surface is recommended if possible, though space is limited.
Try shooting from a low angle to emphasize the scale of the corbelled roof inside. For the exterior, frame the cairn against the expansive Orkney sky and landscape.
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