Cuween Hill Cairn

While this ancient hillside tomb was originally built for simple farmers, today it looks almost as though it is a secret entrance to some hidden fairy world. 

Found at the end of a rough, jagged trail on the mainland of the Orkney Islands, Cuween Hill s a patchy earthen dome that looks like just the sort of place to bury some people. The multi-chambered burial vault is thought to have been built around 3000 BCE by a tribe or settlement of Neolithic farmers. Inside the hill is a tall main chamber that is accompanied by four smaller chambers. Archaeological excavations discovered the remains of at least eight humans as well as 24 dog skulls. This may mean that the dog was the farmers’ symbol or totem, and that the space may have been cleared of remains periodically.  

The interior space has been shored up after being damaged during earlier excavation. but is now open to visitors who want to make the hike. The entrance to the chamber is quite narrow so you will have to crawl to enter.  Inside the burial chamber the ceiling is tall enough that it is quite easy to stand up, although it is a pitch black cave that was once filled with dog skulls. Luckily, next to the entrance is a box holding a torch.  It is possible that the torch will not have batteries in it, so it is advised that you bring your own.

The walk up to the entrance covers a set of steps surrounded by overgrown grass, giving the site an even more ancient air. It takes a lot of guts to stride into an ancient grave, but there are worse ways to spend an afternoon in Orkney.