Culloden Battlefield

"How would things be different if Bonnie Prince Charlie and his Jacobite army had triumphed at the Battle of Culloden in 1746? It's a question often speculated upon by historians, tour guides, and also visitors to the bleak battlefield. Who knows what would have happened if the Prince was victorious and seized back the British crown that he thought was rightfully his? What we do know is that the hopes of Jacobites ended in disaster in a little under 45 minutes on the moorland a short distance from Inverness. The battlefield is a short 15-minute drive from the city centre with an on-site car park (charges apply) adjacent to the National Trust for Scotland visitor centre. There is a regular bus service (Number 27 towards Tornagrain) that takes under half an hour and will drop you at the entrance to the battlefield. Before heading into the visitor centre, take a while to look at the clan crests and other inscriptions on the slabs leading to the visitor centre. If you have Scottish heritage you might find your clan represented amongst those providing financial support for the building of the visitor centre in 2007. You could spend many hours reading all the excellent information within the visitor centre. It very carefully gives the perspective from both sides of the Jacobite uprising using written accounts from the day of the battle and the immediate aftermath. I recommend heading to the 360-degree immersion theatre to experience what it might have been like at the centre of the battle, as both Jacobite and Government forces hurtle across the battlefield towards you. And you can get a close look at the weapons used during the battle alongside other artefacts from that time. Allow plenty of time to explore the battlefield itself but first orientate yourself by heading up to the visitor centre roof-top observation deck to look out across the moor (access from outside). The blue flags in the distance represent the Jacobite frontline. The Government forces positioned themselves along the line of red flags closer to the visitor centre. You'll see the Memorial Cairn (erected in 1881) dominates the vast flatness of the moorland. Besides it you will find the Clan Markers commemorating those clans that fought alongside Bonnie Prince Charlie. Before leaving take a closer look at the small thatched cottage standing at the edge of the battlefield. Leachan Cottage wasn't there at the time of the battle but it is similar in style to those buildings that were there. Good-to-know - If you have Scottish heritage you can ask the staff at the visitor centre what clan your family may belong to, if they fought at the Battle of Culloden and where they would have done so. -You don't need to visit the National Trust visitor centre to walk around the battlefield. The battle site is open access throughout the year meaning you can visit whenever you like. I recommend visiting in the evening when the crowds have gone. It is likely you'll have the battlefield to yourself, other than a handful of visitors and local people walking their dogs or out for an evening stroll. There are marked bays between the visitor centre main gates and the road. Make sure you park in these spaces as the main gates are locked shortly after the visitor centre closes. Don't miss Take a look at the visitor centre wall beside the paved path that leads to and from the battle site. You will see there are raised bricks along its length. Find the spot where there are no raised bricks (nearest the visitor centre entrance). With your back to the wall look to the left. Each raised brick represents a Jacobite solder who died during the battle. To your right shows those Government soldiers that lost their lives. Recommended time: 3 hours"

"If you fancy getting stuck into the turbulent past of Inverness and the Highlands, head to Culloden Battlefield. You can learn all about the eventful details of the Jacobite Risings by exploring the final site of the last and most harrowing pitched battle to be fought on British soil, as well as visiting the interactive visitor center, with fascinating artifacts from both sides of the battle, and an immersive surround cinema. To get there you'll need to get on Stagecoach bus 27. The day ticket costs 5.4£ and the ride will take about 30min. Entrance fee: 14£ "

"This is a very significant spot in Scottish history. This was the setting of an incredibly bloody battle during the Jacobite Rising between the English and the Scottish. It is where the clan system in Scotland officially ended. "