Also early - perhaps 3rd millennium BC - are cairns such as the round cairns at Clava near Inverness, Corrimony in Glen Urquhart or Camster in Caithness. Hillforts too belong to these ages long ago and there are several to explore, along with the typically northern and slightly later brochs, with their unique circular and hollow stone walls.

The Dark Ages in the Highlands are especially represented by examples in the Pictish area, ie along the east coast and Moray Firth, where a signposted Pictish Trail will lead to the best sites and carved stones throughout Easter Ross.