Cairn O'Get

This is a very short, easy outing to Cairn O'Get, covering 1.4 km / 0.9 mi with only 19 m / 62 ft of climbing and 20 m / 66 ft of descent. It takes about 20 minutes at a relaxed pace, making it well suited to a quick stop for anyone interested in Caithness archaeology and open moorland scenery.

The route

The walk is brief and straightforward, with little height change, so the main focus is the monument rather than the effort of the hike. Cairn O'Get stands on open moorland and forms part of a wider prehistoric landscape that also includes smaller cairns and cists nearby.

Highlights along the way

Cairn O'Get is a Neolithic chambered cairn of the Orkney-Cromarty type, with a central burial chamber reached by a short passage. In its original form the chamber walls rose to about 3 m / 10 ft, and the cairn was later enlarged with horned projections that created forecourts at the north and south ends. Even in its ruined state, the chamber and upright stones remain clearly visible.

Getting there

The site lies south west of Ulbster in Caithness and is reached by a short walk across rough ground. It is open all year round. The nearest practical approach is by road, and the surrounding area is rural, so walkers should expect to arrive by car or taxi unless combining the visit with a longer trip through the district.

History and setting

The cairn preserves evidence of burial and ritual use stretching back around 5,000 years. Excavation found cremated and unburnt human remains, along with flint arrowheads, pottery and animal bones. Some of the stone was later removed in the 19th century for a nearby dam, which helps explain the monument's lower profile today.

Terrain and preparation

Although the distance is short, the approach crosses open, uneven moorland rather than paved paths, so waterproof footwear is a sensible choice, especially after wet weather. There are no facilities at the monument itself, and the exposed setting means wind can be a factor even on a quick visit.