Clava Cairns
The Clava Clan Stitchers came together from across Inverness to stitch the story of their area and one of Scotland's most significant and compelling prehistoric monuments.
This is their story.
Hidden in a wood, on a terrace above the River Nairn, not far from Inverness are monuments to midwinter.
Three round cairns, each surrounded by a ring of standing stones, were built some time around 2,000BC and each has a central burial chamber. These were probably royal or aristocratic, made by many hands for only one or two people, the last resting places of lords, ladies, kings or queens. Two of the cairns have passages leading to the central chamber and each is aligned to the south-west, to the midwinter sunset, to the solstice.
The standing stones around these cairns were arranged to meet the setting sun’s rays, the tallest facing directly to the south-west. For the communities of prehistoric farmers on the banks of the Nairn and the shores of the Moray Firth, it was a turning moment in the year. Slowly the light would return and in the spring the land would come alive once more. The Gaelic name for the winter solstice is eloquent. Grian-stad a’ gheamhraidh literally means ‘sun-stop of the winter’.
The finished panel with Claire and her ancient stones.Image provided by The Clava Clan
STITCHING CLAIRE
The Clava Clan Stitchers gave the central figure in their panel a name - Claire:
‘When we discovered that we had been given the task of telling the story of the Clava Cairns in our panel, one of the first things we did, as a group, was to visit the ancient monument and take in the atmosphere and ambience of the place. We were especially inspired by the colours and textures of the cairn stones and the huge standing stones which were covered with lichens and mosses and autumn leaves. We took lots of photos and tried to replicate the patterns and colours in our stitching. As our panel progressed and as we stitched the central figure we found that we had given her a name – Claire. It made such a difference to see her face and her features take shape in our stitching, it just brought her alive, She became a person – that’s why we gave her a name. It was interesting to see her evolve from a two dimensional drawing - It gave her a history and a reason for being in that place’.
...She has become a person, I think that's why we gave her a name.
I think it was important to do that.
Interesting to see her evolve from this flat drawing.
- The Clava Clan stitchers, Stitching the Clava Cairns
Claire, the central figure of the panelImage provided by The Tapestry of the Highlands and Islands
A stitching meeting in progress with a fluffy friend!Image provided by Jacque Smith
At the Clava Cairns with the Clava Clan.Image provided by Jacque Smith
LISTEN TO STORIES FROM STITCHERS IN OUR AUDIO SERIES
Discover more stories from our group
Many thanks to Jane Crowe for sharing with us her journey stone, created as part of the Tapestry of the Highlands and Islands.Image provided by Jane Crowe
Many thanks to Erika Adomaitiene for sharing with us her journey stone, created as part of the Tapestry of the Highlands and Islands.Image provided by Erika Adomaitiene
Many thanks to Francoise Guerin-Allison for sharing with us her journey stone, created as part of the Tapestry of the Highlands and Islands.Image provided by Francoise Guerin-Allison
Many thanks to Perrine Le Gren for sharing with us her journey stone, created as part of the Tapestry of the Highlands and Islands.Image provided by Perrine Le Gren
The Clava Clan!
WITH THANKS TO THE CLAVA CLAN STITCHERS
This panel was stitched by Susan, Sharon, Erika, Françoise, Jacqueline, Jane, Jane C, Matti, Perrine, Polly and Sheena who gave their time, skill and energy to completing a fantastic artwork for their area.
If you would like to see the panel up close and admire the detail of their work, please look out for the panel at an exhibition near you soon. To find out more, follow Inverness Castle Experience on Facebook for all the latest updates on the Tapestry of the Highlands and Islands and the new visitor experience in Inverness, open 2025.
