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Culloden, Scotland

After the overthrow of James II and the Stuart dynasty in 1688, efforts were made by the Stuarts and their supporters, known as the Jacobites, to recover the throne. This struggle reached its culmination in 1745. James II's son was known as "The Old Pretender" while his grandson was Charles Edward Stuart, "The Young Pretender," or Bonnie Prince Charlie. The Young Pretender was put ashore in Scotland by a French ship in 1745 to see what would happen. An army of Jacobite supporters, mainly Highlanders and French gathered around him, and they eventually met government forces at Culloden Moor near Inverness. The government army led by the Duke of Cumberland quickly defeated the Jacobites. Charles fled to the Isle of Skye disguised as Flora McDonald's servant girl, and from there made it to France.

Today the Jacobite struggle is often presented as a struggle between England and Scotland. In fact it was as much a struggle between the Highlanders and Lowlanders of Scotland, who were traditional enemies. A large proportion of the English armies were Lowland Scots. There were even numbers of Highland Scots fighting for the government. The Clan Munro, the Clan Ross, the Clan Gunn, and the Clan Grant, amongst others, all fought for the government against the Highlanders at Culloden. (See The Isles by Norman Davies) It is likely that the population of Scotland as a whole was unsympathetic to the Jacobite army, which in December 1745 threatened to destroy Glasgow if fresh provisions were not provided. The lines of nationalism are never clear, even though modern nationalism now looks back on Culloden, fought on 16th April 1746, in nationalistic terms. This is as true of Scotland as it is of Britain as a whole.

The site of Culloden battlefield is now owned by the National Trust for Scotland who are working to preserve the area as it would have been in 1746. Dykes which were important in the battle have been reconstructed, and sheep grazing is being used to remove scrub and young trees. The site also includes Leanach Cottage which survived the battle around it, and houses a living history presentation designed to recreate the atmosphere of the day. Tours run from mid-June to September.

There is a restaurant, and baby changing facilities. Dogs are not allowed on the battlefield, although a nearby field with beautiful views is available for dog walking.

Opening Times: The restaurant, shop and visitor centre are open as follows: November, December, February and March 10am to 4pm, April to October 9am to 6pm.

Closed 24th -26th December and January.

The actual battlefield site is open all year daily.

Address: Culloden Visitor's Centre, Culloden Moor, Inverness, Highland IV2 5EU

Directions: Take the B9006 for five miles east from Inverness. Click here for an interactive map centred on Culloden.

Access: Visitors centre, shop and restaurant are all accessible to wheelchair users, and there is an adapted toilet. Braille guide book and raised map of the battlefield available. Audio visual presentation has a hearing loop.

Contact:

telephone: 0844 493 2159

e-mail: culloden@nts.org.uk