Inverness

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Once again, I had a nice big breakfast before I headed out. This morning, I was taking the city bus to the Culloden Battle Site.

Here is a very, very brief history lesson as to why this battle came about on Apirl 16, 1746. When Queen Elizabeth died without heirs, her cousin's (Mary Queen of Scots) son became King of England (James I) and Scotland (James VI) of the House of Stuart. Here also is the execution of Charles I (son), Oliver Cromwell and no monarchy, Restoration of Charles II (grandson). His other grandson, James II & VII, who was a Roman Catholic, eventually became king. This made the Protestant nobles of England very glittery. So, his Protestant son-in-law and nephew, William of Orange, was prevailed upon to land an invasion from the Netherlands, which he did in the Glorious Revolution of 1688. James II & VII fled England and thus was held to have abdicated, being the last Roman Catholic monarch. Then two things happened that sealed the fate on the House of Stuart: first, several monarchs in between (his children & grand children) who all failed to produce an heir; second, the passage of Act of Settlement 1701, which stated only the non-Roman Catholic heirs of the granddaughter of James VI of Scotland and I of England can succeed the throne. So when James fled, the nearest Protestant claim to the throne was King George I of the House of Hanover. James fled to the French court and lived out his life there. His grandson was Bonnie Prince Charlie, who wanted to restore the House of Stuart to the English and Scottish thrones, and he was supported by France. Many of the highlanders (mostly Catholics) were loyal to the House of Stuart and they supported Bonnie Prince Charlie's claim to the throne. These loyalists were called Jacobites. After several skirmishes later, the Jacobites led by Bonnie Prince Charlie and English redcoats led by Duke of Cumberland, met on the field at Culloden. The historians can tell you what really happened, but the Jacobites were weary, tired and not well equipped. Also, this field in 1746 was very boggy and not a tactical advantage to the Jacobites and the French soldiers, who supported them, did not came in time. The battle was over before it began, and Prince Charlie fled to Isle of Skye. He then escaped to France, dressed as a ladies maid. Needless to say, the Jacobites were defeated and so was the last ditch effect of the House of Stuart.

After this defeat, all highland and Scottish things (kilts, bagpipes, even wearing plaid) were prohibited and outlawed. It was only in the last century that Scottish things have became popular once again, and writers like Walter Scott and Robert Burns immortalized all things Scottish.

As soon as you pay and enter the large Culloden Battle exhibit, the right side is told from the Jacobites point of view (in blue) and the left side is from the British Hanoverian loyalist point of view (in red). It takes you through the chronological order of events leading to the battle and us to the very large weapons room. Here you can touch the muskets, swords, shields (feel how heavy they are) and try on costumes. My favorite was the very large computer screen on the floor that recreates the battle: where the fronts were, the soldiers & highlanders movements and the layout of the terrain, ending with the prince fleeing from the field. Then you are given a audio-guide with headphones and you go out into the field to walk around where the battle took place. Many highlanders who died here were buried with their clan. This place is very interesting and at times there is a lot to take in. It is only as I write this blog that I am understanding what I saw that day. For anyone who goes to Scotland, this place is not to be missed.

I then took the bus back to the town center and had some lunch. One of the things I love about traveling in the British Isles is food. I never, never have to worry about food, there is always something vegetarian on the menu. After lunch, I walked around doing some window shopping and buying souvenirs. After 5pm, I went back to the B&B and rested. Again, I was too lazy to go out after 8pm (any live music in the pubs doesn't start until 8pm or sometimes 9pm) so I just watched TV.

I bought my train ticket to Pitlochry online and emailed my friend as to the train I am taking and called it a night.

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Photos

Battle of Culloden Site
The last battle fought between the British and the Scots

Field where Battle of Culloden was fought
Blue flag represents the front where Bonnie Prince Charlie's highlanders were at the start of the battle

Field where Battle of Culloden was fought
Red flag represents the front where the Duke of Cumberland redcoats were at the start of the battle.

Bonnie Prince Charlie
This portrait is in the National Portrait Gallery - Not my image

Battle of Culloden
Obviously, not my image