Culloden Battlefield, Scotland

Conveniently located a few kilometers down the road from the Ardtower Caravan Park in Inverness, where we camped, lies Culloden Battlefield. This is the site of the last armed attempt of Scotland to separate from England. Fought mostly by the Jacobite Highlanders in 1746, the Scots lost terribly with many casualties. 

The Scottish defeat is partially attributed to Bonnie Prince Charlie's poor judgment and overconfidence. Fifteen hundred Jacobite Scots lost their lives, and Prince Charlie ran away. The large memorial above, with a close-up of its plaque below, is the first place we stopped.

We noticed flags across the fields and learned that the red flags indicate where the British government troops lined up. Blue flags indicate where the Jacobite troops stood ready.  As we wandered around the grounds, the cold weather matched the somber atmosphere. 

Several stone markers indicate by clan where groups of Jacobite Scottish fighters fell. The marker above indicates where the chief of a clan fell. Leanach Cottage, below, with its stone walls and thatched roof, stands where a similar cottage was located and functioned as a hospital for the British after the battle.

Leanach Cottage served as Culloden's first museum. Now the modern museum features many artifacts from the battle, staff in period costumes eager to share their knowledge, an excellent cafe, and a nice gift shop. The photo below shows a private home's front garden across the road from the battlefield. The marker indicates that English cavalry stabled their horses here after the battle.