Hidden beneath an unassuming grassy mound beside a quiet Aberdeenshire road lies one of Scotland’s best-preserved prehistoric secrets. Culsh Earth House is an Iron Age souterrain – an underground stone-lined passage dating back around 2,000 years – and it’s one of only a handful in Scotland that you can still safely crawl inside and explore for yourself.
Situated in the fertile Howe of Cromar near the village of Tarland, Culsh Earth House offers a genuinely hands-on encounter with Scotland’s ancient past. There are no entrance fees, no opening hours to worry about, and no queues – just you, a torch, and an underground tunnel that hasn’t changed much since the Iron Age. It’s the kind of place that makes you realise how rich Scotland’s archaeological heritage really is, even in the most unassuming locations.
History of Culsh Earth House
Despite the name, Culsh Earth House was never actually a dwelling. The term “earth house” is something of a misnomer – these structures are more properly known as souterrains, from the French for “underground.” They’re found across Scotland, particularly in the northeast, as well as in parts of Ireland, Cornwall, and Brittany.
Culsh dates to the Iron Age, roughly around the 1st century AD, making it approximately 2,000 years old. At the time it was built, a timber roundhouse farmstead would have stood nearby – perhaps a direct predecessor of the Culsh farm that still operates immediately to the south today. The entrance to the earth house may even have been inside or directly adjacent to this roundhouse.
The souterrain was constructed by digging a long, curving trench into the hillside and lining it with carefully built drystone walls before capping the whole structure with substantial stone roof slabs. The result is a crescent-shaped passage roughly 14.5 metres long, reaching about 1.8 metres wide and high at its enlarged inner chamber. It’s a considerable feat of engineering for a farming community working without mortar or machinery.
So what was it actually used for? The honest answer is that nobody knows for certain. The most widely accepted theory is that it served as an underground storage cellar – a kind of Iron Age refrigerator keeping grain, dairy, and other produce cool and dry. The constant underground temperature would have been ideal for preservation.
There’s a more intriguing theory, too. The timing of construction – and the fact that most souterrains in northeast Scotland were deliberately filled in not long after AD 200 – coincides neatly with the Roman military campaigns into Scotland. Some historians have suggested that local farmers may have enjoyed lucrative contracts supplying grain to the Roman army, storing their surplus in earth houses pending collection. When the Romans withdrew, the need for these stores vanished, and many were simply backfilled.
However, Culsh may also have held some ritual or ceremonial significance. Two cup-marked stones are built into the passage walls – stones that were almost certainly reused from an even older prehistoric site, perhaps a nearby stone circle. If the souterrain was indeed a grain store, it may have played a role in ceremonies marking the planting or harvest seasons.
The earth house was rediscovered and cleared out in 1853, when excavators found it filled nearly to the ceiling with rich, dark earth – suggesting it had been deliberately backfilled rather than simply abandoned. The original excavation also uncovered fragments of coarse pottery, a large bead, cattle bones, and two quern stones used for grinding grain. Originally, small pinning stones held the drystone walls in place, though these have since been mortared for stability.
Today, Culsh Earth House is a scheduled monument managed by Historic Environment Scotland and is recognised as one of the finest and most complete examples of an Aberdeenshire souterrain.
Our Visit to Culsh Earth House
Getting There
We spotted Culsh Earth House on the map whilst exploring the Howe of Cromar area and decided to make a quick detour. It’s located directly on the B9119 about a mile east of Tarland, and despite the brown Historic Scotland sign, it would be easy to drive straight past without realising what’s hiding beneath the grass just a few metres from the road.
There’s no formal car park here – you simply pull onto the grass verge beside the road. There’s enough room for a couple of cars, but do be careful not to block the farm access road that leads to Culsh farmsteading nearby. From the car, it’s literally a few steps down to the entrance – there are some stone steps on one side and a grass slope on the other.
Exploring the Earth House
From above, the earth house reveals itself as little more than a gentle grassy hump between the road and a wooden fence. You’d never guess that beneath this innocuous bank lies an intact underground passage that’s survived for two millennia. A Historic Scotland interpretation board beside the entrance provides a helpful overview of what souterrains were and how they were used.
The entrance itself is a low, stone-capped opening set into the hillside. You need to crouch down – and in places practically crawl – to get inside, which immediately adds to the sense of adventure. I’d strongly recommend bringing a torch; the light from your phone works perfectly well. Within a few feet of the entrance, daylight disappears completely and you’re relying entirely on whatever you’ve brought with you.
The passage curves gently to the right as you move deeper in, which is characteristic of Aberdeenshire souterrains. The drystone walls are beautifully constructed, with massive stone slabs forming the ceiling above your head. Even after 2,000 years, the interior is remarkably dry and the stonework remains impressively solid. It’s quite something to run your hand along walls that were laid by Iron Age hands.
At the far end of the tunnel, the passage opens up into a slightly wider and taller chamber where you can just about stand in a crouch. This is where the bulk of any stored goods would likely have been kept. It’s in this section that you can also look for the two cup-marked stones built into the walls – though they’re not immediately obvious in torchlight, so take your time.
Janette was brave enough to squeeze through the full length of the passage, and the photos really give a sense of scale. It’s not a place for anyone who’s claustrophobic, but if you’re comfortable in tight spaces, it’s an unforgettable experience. Standing inside a structure built two thousand years ago, surrounded by nothing but ancient stone and silence, is genuinely moving.
The whole visit only took us about 15 to 20 minutes, but it was one of those stops that stays with you. We emerged blinking back into the Aberdeenshire daylight with a real sense of having touched something ancient.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to visit Culsh Earth House?
Culsh Earth House is completely free to visit at any time. It’s an open-access site managed by Historic Environment Scotland with no admission charge, ticket office, or barriers.
Is Culsh Earth House open all year?
Yes, the site is open year-round, 24 hours a day. There are no seasonal closures or restricted opening hours.
Do I need a torch to visit Culsh Earth House?
Absolutely, yes. The interior of the earth house is completely dark beyond the first few feet. A phone torch works well, but a proper handheld torch is even better as it frees up your hands for navigating the low passage.
Is Culsh Earth House suitable for wheelchair users?
Unfortunately, no. The earth house is accessed by crawling through a very low entrance, and the passage inside requires crouching or crawling throughout. The approach from the road involves uneven grass and steps. The interpretation board and exterior of the mound are accessible, however.
Can I take dogs to Culsh Earth House?
Dogs are welcome at the site, though you should keep them on a lead as there are often sheep in the adjacent fields. Taking a dog inside the earth house itself would be impractical given the low entrance and tight passage.
Is there parking at Culsh Earth House?
There is no formal car park. Visitors park on the grass verge of the B9119 beside the site. Take care not to obstruct the nearby farm access road, and be mindful of traffic on the road.
How long does a visit to Culsh Earth House take?
A visit typically takes between 10 and 20 minutes, including time to read the interpretation board, explore the interior of the passage, and take photographs. It pairs well with a visit to nearby Tomnaverie Stone Circle.
Key Information
- Location: Culsh, near Tarland, Aberdeenshire, AB34 4YL
- Grid Reference: NJ 504 055
- Managed by: Historic Environment Scotland
- Entry: Free, open year-round
- Parking: Free roadside verge parking on B9119 (no formal car park)
- Facilities: Interpretation board only. Nearest toilets, shops, and cafes in Tarland (1 mile west)
- Accessibility: Not accessible for wheelchair users. Entry requires crawling through a low passage
What Else is Nearby?
Tomnaverie Stone Circle – Just a mile south of Tarland, this atmospheric 4,500-year-old recumbent stone circle sits on a hilltop with stunning panoramic views towards Lochnagar. Another free Historic Environment Scotland site, it’s the perfect companion visit to Culsh Earth House.
Craigievar Castle – Around five miles to the northeast, this fairy-tale pink tower house is said to have inspired Walt Disney’s Cinderella castle. Managed by the National Trust for Scotland, it’s one of the finest examples of Scottish Baronial architecture in the country.
Burn O’Vat – A remarkable natural feature near Dinnet, about six miles to the south. This giant rock pothole was carved by meltwater at the end of the last Ice Age and is accessed through a narrow gorge – another site that feels like stepping into another world.
Crathes Castle – Approximately 15 miles southeast near Banchory, this magnificent 16th-century tower house boasts some of the finest original painted ceilings in Scotland, along with stunning walled gardens.
The Queen’s View, Tarland – On the B9119 as you approach the Howe of Cromar from the east, this viewpoint offers a magnificent panorama across the Howe towards Morven and Lochnagar. Queen Victoria herself was said to have been enchanted by this view. There’s a small car park opposite.
Final Thoughts
Culsh Earth House is one of those wonderfully understated Scottish sites that delivers far more than you might expect. It doesn’t shout for attention – there are no visitor centres, gift shops, or audio guides – and that’s precisely what makes it so special. Crawling into a 2,000-year-old underground passage that has survived virtually intact since the Iron Age is a privilege, and the fact that it’s free, open all year, and takes just a few minutes off the B9119 makes it an absolute must-stop if you’re in the area.
Pair it with nearby Tomnaverie Stone Circle and you’ve got a fantastic little prehistoric double bill in the heart of the Howe of Cromar. Just remember to bring a torch – and maybe leave the claustrophobia at home.
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