Culloden Battlefield (National Trust for Scotland)

A very interesting and sobering place. However if you do not know much about the history leading up to the battle, then I highly recommend joining a tour or visiting the museum as well. There are signs, but to really get a grasp of the history you need some more information. First time I visited I just put on a YouTube documentary about the battle in my ears while walking around, and so if you do not have the money for the museum / tour this is perhaps a good way to do it. However, museum and/or tour is highly recommended ⭐️

What an experience. Fascinating and sobering. The visitor centre provides superb context of the events that lead up to the battle and the battle itself. We took the guided tour of the battlefield and we’re glad we did. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and brought the events to life as we stood in the exact places that the events she so vividly described actually took place. The tour comes highly recommended from us. I would not hesitate to thoroughly recommend this place as a must see.

We visited the Culloden Battlefield, a historic and iconic site, during our trip to Inverness, Scotland. Having watched all the seasons of Outlander Series, we were very excited to visit as well as the other tourists in our Bus. It signifies the site where a pitched battle was fought in 1746, between the Jacobite Army under Prince Charlie who lost over 1500 soldiers and the Duke of Cumberland’s government forces. It is well documented and preserved by the National Trust for Scotland. The tourist attraction today consists of the Battlefield with the grave stones, Leanach Cottage, Visitor Center housing historical artefacts, film shows and a Memorial. A memorable visit.

After making our way through the entrance museum, we came out on this huge, lush field. It was hard to believe that so many people died on this field, and our guide helped us to understand the breadth and scale of the effects of this battle. To think what might have happened if the battle had gone a different way, but that is for a different person to tell. Overall, the area was pretty traversable by wheelchair, though some places it did get a bit bumpy. Also, our guide was excellent at helping to take the group on the smoothest places.

Last time I was here was in the 70s so big changes Cafe very nice. Guides were very knowledgeable. Well laid out paths with notices telling you the position of the 2 armies Graves had the clan names on them. Big carpark, cost me nothing as I am a national trust member. T

Such an amazing place. The museum is so interesting, a valuable token of history. I came because I wanted to know more of this famous battle but was amazed to see how much they respected the place, created a whole area to show how the battle really happened. The museum itself gives many valuable information about the battle with numerous activities

I truly enjoyed my experience at Culloden. While on a highland tour one of our stops was at this battle field. It was such a wonderful treat to trace back the roots of my family line. Seeing the rocks and markers of the Scottish clans and English armies allowed for the imagination to vision where everyone stood and marched during the battle. The inside museum was educational and well presented.

This is a really captivating historical site. Give yourself some time to explore the visitor’s center and walk the battlefield. There are plenty of historical markings to help you understand how the battle was carried out.

This is a very well done memorial to the historic hand-to-hand Battle of Culloden that occurred on April 16, 1746 between British government troops and Scottish Highlanders who were in turn all Jacobites. I knew nothing about this important Scottish event until I watched the Outlander series on Netflix. Then, I read a little more about it, and here I learned a lot more. It's always interesting to actually set foot at the site of an event and it is still a somber grave site for many. Our tour guide, who is very Scottish, still cannot go out onto the battlefield as it is all still upsetting to him. The Outlander series by the way brought in a HUGE amount of tourism to Scotland and this battlefield is just one of the more popular venues of interest. I really liked the 10 minute immersive film that brought the battle to life on 4 simultaneous surround sound screens. I also learned shockingly that the battle only lasted 46 minutes with the Scots being obliterated and the Highlander culture and lifestyle ended forevermore from that time on. Afterwards, you can go out and walk the actual battlefield and see where the lines were drawn, etc. You can also see rock memorials for several of the major clans supporting the Scotsmen. In the museum, there are a multitude of artifacts and readings to peruse, as well as a gift shop and cafe. Overall, a very worthwhile and informative site to visit and experience.

The Culloden Battlefield was run by the National Trust of Scotland which was a different membership from the one we had with Historic Scotland. We opted to book a guided tour of the battlefield which was well worth it with the insights provided by a knowledgeable and outgoing guide. The tour walked out as far as the British Line(red flags) but we later wandered out to the Jacobite Line (blue flags) on our own. Do stay on the gravel paths as the site does contain the remains of those who died in the battle. Another tip, dress warmly for the walk outside as the weather shifted while on the tour and it got quite chilly with some rain. The museum presented both viewpoints on the battle and the two sides throughout which was interesting to see and compare. Photos of the artifacts on displays were not allowed and docents would chase you down or stop you since some items were privately owned and on loan. It was ok to take photos of drawings or placards created by the NTS. Overall a stunning defeat for the Jacobites. Next time we're in Scotland I do want to visit the Battle of Bannockburn site to compare the battle that Scotland won over England.

Pretty cool, I reckon. One thing I appreciated about the museum tour was that it told both sides. I don't think I've ever seen a battlefield tour really do that before (or maybe I have and I just can't recollect it at the moment). Either way, it was neat. Namely because I have absolutely no skin in the game on this sort of stuff, and it was 250+ years ago. The battlefield is setup pretty neat, too. There is a map and flags and various ways to follow along with what you're looking at. During the visit, I learned that Culloden was featured in a recent television show called "Outlander", which is apparently just half naked people with perfect bodies fighting one another while shirtless & in kilts, and many other scenes where babies may or may not have been made, all the while there are haunting bagpipes playing & incredible Scottish landscapes panning across the screen. And therefore, there has been a visitor spike. Who knew! I didn't! But apparently a lot of other people did! So prepare yourself for said spike, lest your patience run thin because someone knocks you out of the way so that they can get a selfie with a stone that says "Fraser" on it.

No, this has nothing to do with the movie Braveheart in case you were wondering. This is where the last battle that involved hand to hand combat in England was fought. This battle on 16 April 1746 has tremendous significance for Scotland. Learning more about the history at the museum and the tour was fascinating.

Beautiful well-organized, tribute and museum to the people of the Scottish Highlands. The battle is portrayed by a huge 4 wall video which puts you in the middle of the tumult with action and sound. The docents make history come alive with stories and hands-on demos. Kilt folding is one of the fun activities- audience participation is requested. Then the automated "action board " shows the movement of troops, that now makes sense after watching the movie. A GREAT museum of a devastating battle. The history and life of the the times is also shared.

Stepping thru the mossy grass of this epic field where the hearts of Scotland's sons made the last stand to keep their way of life, is solemn, and sad for anyone that carries Scottish blood in their veins. To physically be there and try to envision that day is really an eye opener to what it must of been like on that fateful day. The battle was in 1746. The museum was fantastic; interactive, informative and extremely well laid out. Being able to handle a few of the weapons if the time made the experience real somehow as to weight and manoeuvrability. It was torrential rain that morning and I could only do a partial walk of the battlefield. We got totally drenched. This was the only day it rained while I was in Scotland. The quiet, the views, and mostly the atmosphere have left a lasting impression. If in the area you must go! The day I visited they had a small indoor concert going on. That was pretty cool! Most everything is written in English and in Gaelic. A Celtic language that is still spoken today in the Highlands and Islands of western Scotland. August 2023

Located a short drive out of Inverness is Culloden Battlefield. I can't claim to be big on Scottish history, but my tour guide explained that this 1746 battle was the last military engagement fought on British soil. It was an utter massacre where some 1500 Jacobites died as opposed to about 50 British soldiers, as British strategy and fighting style severely outmatched their opposition. It's not heavily marked with monuments like many US battlefields, but is rather a solemn place to reflect on loss of life that occurred here. While it is free to visit the battlefield, there is an admission charge to view the exhibits and film at the visitors center. Being used to many such places in the US being free (including exhibits and film) under the jurisdiction of the National Parks service and seeing a majority of the national museums and galleries in Edinburgh also being free of charge, I found it a bit odd that there would be a charge to learn a bit about the history that transpired here. There is a gift shop, a cafe, restrooms and plenty of seating in the visitors center. I found it a great tribute that the wall of the visitors center on one side is lined with one brick for each soldier that died at Culloden Battlefield, but I would have never known had it not been for the excellent explanation provided by our group tour guide. Chances are you might visit here as a tourist as part of a group tour, but I likely wouldn't recommend a visit unless you really like history of Scottish conflict.

Excellent museum, set up in chronological order with the English perspective on one side and the Jacobite perspective on the other. Well documented, good east to read notes and a good short film. Lots of interactive areas for kids at the end. The tour is the battlefield was good and informative and made clear what the movies get wrong and what the archeology has learned. My ancestor fought there and it's a big part of our family lore, so we all thoroughly enjoyed.

It is worth it to pay for a guided tour! James our tour guide made it very enlightening and informative. Somehow he condensed the detailed history into an understandable and compelling story. Thank you for your passion for Scottish history.

This historic site is so well done. There is plenty of parking. The visitor center, gift shop and cafe are all lovely. Dogs are welcome! The museum is very informative, a live "show" was also very cool. Hiking the eerie battlefield is easy as the land is level. A MUST when in glorious Scotland.

Holy wow, this is sobering. You definitely should carve several hours out of your day to visit the museum and battlefield. Outlander fan or no, this is worth the time. We took the bus out of Inverness, which made things so much easier. We actually hopped off one stop before the Culloden stop, because we wanted a chance to mosey past the moor. It was only a mile from the second-to-the-last stop to the visitor center, and it was a beautiful, sunny and mild day, so we were in heaven. I didn't realize before our visit that the battlefield itself is a park, free to anybody who wants to visit and that it's dog-friendly. I love that. The visitor center (I call it a "museum", in my head) is very well done, and chock-full of information and experiences. They laid the whole thing out so that you're able to get into the heads of both sides of the battle, with the same timeline providing movements across the divide. It can get a bit loud in there, though, so it's sometimes hard to hear the audio presentations built into a lot of their experiences. But, they provide way more information than I would've expected, which is a nice bonus. You can walk in the front doors not knowing anything about Culloden, and - if you give the museum the time it deserves - you can walk out an expert on all things political, battle and civilian-related. The museum itself is quite immense, meandering from one wing to the other, culminating in a theater that provides a wrap-around video of a recreation of the battle. They don't pull any punches in that room, so if you're scared of loud noises, gore, or have very small children, I wouldn't recommend going in. The star of the area definitely is the battlefield itself, though. (Pause at the double doors to snag a loaner umbrella, if the weather looks iffy. It definitely came in handy on our visit!) There are several different paths, all detailed in the free maps available at the desk near the doors, and explained on the battlefield itself. We took the less crowded path at first, as everyone and their mother were walking towards the monument in the middle of the field. Our first path took us towards the Clan Donald stone, which is way far away from the main monument, closer to the road. I think the path typically circles back around the outside of the battlefield, but on the day we visited, they had the path past the Donald stone closed off, so we had to turn around and head back in the other direction. We decided to go towards the main monument at that point, passing by other clan stones on the way (of course the Clan Fraser stone had a worn path in front of it, with a few fresh flowers scattered around). My husband and I walked every path we could that afternoon, and are still amazed at the scope of the battlefield itself. For me, reading about it (yes, in "Outlander") and seeing the references in the museum did little to prepare me for how huge the battlefield itself was. They have flags placed across the land, showing where the Jacobites lined up, versus where the British forces lined up. The distance between the two flags is incredible. How battles were fought - on a slushy moor in poor weather, with men in kilts and sandals running at fully armed ranks - is astounding. Definitely something you have to see in person to really absorb. I am so glad we took the bus out to Culloden, and that we allotted half a day to the experience. You do get your money's worth if you take the time to reflect and review. We took a ton of pictures, but I don't want to overwhelm the Yelp servers, so I'll only post a few.

This place and the battle fought here is so historically significant in Scotland's history, it's worth a stop to understand it. You can book a guided tour or use a handset, or first visit the visitor center, then the grounds and battlefield where the actual battle took place. There are flags - blue and red - that mark where the forces lined up. There are also guides all over that are keen to answer questions and tell you more about it. We spent a couple hours here, most of it in the visitors center just absorbing all the information there. There's a gift shop and a cafe. There were also a couple of hairy coos in the field next door that ambled by for a photo op. The fence is electrified so be careful.

The food in the cafe was so-so, the brownie was dry and chalky. The prices for tickets were a bit high. The battlefield was cool. La comida en el café era regular, el brownie estaba seco. Los precios de los boletos fueron un poco altos. El campo de batalla fue genial.

Highly recommend. So much history. Such beautiful and haunting scenery. Large gift shop, and helpful staff working the Reception desk! Helpful (maybe?) tip: If you are taking a cab out there ask the driver before he leaves if his credit card reader is working. We forgot to ask and found out once we arrived that he couldn't complete the transaction. There is no ATM in the Visitor Center, and they don't do cash back (not their fault). So unfortunately our time was cut short because he waited for us to do a quick tour before taking us back into town and to an ATM. It was our fault for not having cash on us, but we had also been successful in using credit card with all our other taxis! Just a tip if this might help you out.

A real bargain for £5. For that price, you get access to the battlefield and a smallish museum exhibit, a ten-minute "living history" demonstration, and a fifteen-minute film. The NTS has constructed a new Visitor Centre which was not yet open at the time of my visit. Apparently the old Visitor Centre was discovered to stand on the site of the Government's third line of battle. Thus, it has been moved as part of the effort to restore the battlefield to its 1746 appearance. All of the indoor portions of the exhibit were excellent. Out on the battlefield, you are welcome to meander and explore at your own pace. It really isn't much more than a tall-grass field, but markers and memorials scattered across the site remind you what took place here. It is rather haunting to stand in the place where so many dreams died, not to mention the last battle ever fought on British soil. Red flags mark the Jacobite lines; yellow flags, the Government lines. Participating clans each have a modest stone memorial somewhere on the battlefield. I found the marker stone for Clan Maclean, from which came my Scottish ancestors. Apparently the Macleans always remained loyal to the Stewarts, answering the call to battle in 1692, 1715, and 1745. Kudos to the NTS for their commitment to preserve and protect the battlefield and to keep the memorial spirit alive.

Even if you are not a fan of Outlander, this is one of the most interesting spots to visit. First of all, the exhibits indoors are educational and interactive. The short film was amazingly well done. The best part is the staff, dressed in period costume, who showed my friend how to fold and wear tartan. It was one of the best experiences of our trip. Outdoors, be sure to use the audio guide to tour the actual battlefield. If you have traveled a lot and are questioning whether to bother with another audio guide, please be aware that this is one of the best I've ever heard. It was easy to understand and navigate and answered so many questions that I had about history. What a wonderful way to learn about history! So much better than boring textbooks. Very highly recommended historic site. One more thing! The chef at the café was happy to prepare a special entrée for me given my multiple dietary restrictions. I was even able to find some gluten-free, dairy free shortbread that was absolutely scrumptious. Lovely gift shop as well.

I was part of a tour. Our guide was extremely informative regarding the battlefield. There is a visitor center which does charge for a ticket for the exhibitions. There is a gift shop and snack bar.

What a change from when we were here 5 years ago. The facility has received a complete makeover and is a proper memorial to the 1500 Highland Clansman who died, in a battle that lasted only one hour, during the Jacobite Rebellion. The British only lost 50 men. The museum is fantastic, with plenty of items that have been recovered from the site; sample of Highland weapons; explanation of battle tactics, and a film that literally places you in the middle of the battle with 360 degree screens. Make sure to take the the tour of battlefield to get the full experience. A full cafeteria is also available that serve your standard Scottish fare.

A Compelling Sad History The battlefield site and the museum are must see destinations for any tour of the area. The story of the battle a narrated by our tour guide provided a compelling narrative of the history of Culloden and Scotland in general. The museum exhibits are masterful in presentation and detail.The slaughter the Jacobite's resonates today in Scottish history and politics today. This is a must see destination.

I walked out in tears - great and effective exhibition that captured the sheer waste that war is. It's a very balanced view with both Hanoverian and Jacobite view points evenly presented. The video at the end did an amazing job at recreating the battle and is a highlight. I also loved the stories of everyday people and found the video projections to be amusing and sad and very human. The Bonny Prince Charlie memorabilia was also another highlight and the context was very well explained. Def worth the money and a special mention for the cafeteria which showcases a lot of local produce (loved the map they have on the wall which shows the locations). Also ladies bathroom had a good number of stalls so line moved quickly.

The history of this battlefield is utterly confusing and I have to admit I had not heard about this battle before. And honestly, as an indie rock fan, I know of Bonnie Prince Billy...and thus the connection was made to Bonnie Prince Charlie. I'll take a stab at the history. Catholics(Jacobites) fought the British Royalists for power and lost. There. Done. Just Kidding. The last battle on British soil was at Culloden. Is this true? Today the field where the last battle between Jacobites and Royals was fought is located here. I do like military history and battlefields. When I was a child, I studied the American Revolution and Civil War and went to some sights. The British style of warfare is part of American history. I mean the outfits and the guns. Today, what you will be looking at is a plain barren field that commemorates this point in history. You can go inside the building on site to see artifacts and get historical details. I recommend, but you have to pay. I snuck into the back door by mistake, but in all honesty my visit would not have been as interesting had I not.

Not able to visit this site in 1978 on my first visit to Inverness but as a long time item on my historical bucket list. It was at the top and first point of call when off the plane in October2016. It was not a disappointment. The museum was fantastic; interactive, informative and extremely well laid out. Being able to handle a few of the weapons if the time made the experience real somehow as to weight and manoeuvrability. It was torrential rain that morning and I could only walk part of the battlefield and couldn't take the tour unfortunately (I'll be back!) before being drenched but it has to be done. The quiet and the views but mostly the atmosphere have left a lasting impression. If in the area you must go! I'd going to other historical sites joins Scottish Heritage to make it more cost effective.

The original question was: is this an earlier version of the Vietnam war? In terms of political differences: socialism, colonism, or Victorian-ism, was it neccessary for two groups of the same people to fight each other to gain land? Although there is quite a list of "-isms", highland rebellion was neccessary to defend the Scots from English rule. This is why its important for tourists to visit the battlefield, a great teaching resource for the next generation of youth. Thank you.

Stepping thru the mossy grass of this epic field where the hearts of Scotland's sons made the last stand to keep their way of life is solemn and sad for anyone that carries Scottish blood in their veins. To physically be there and try to envision that day is really an eye opener to what it must of been like on that fateful day. Scotland Forever James Alexander Ogilvie American-Scott

We were on a tour out of Inverness and this was one of the stops on the tour. The walk outside gives you a good feel about the size and layout of the battle. And the presentation in the center is very helpful to your understanding the situation before and after the battle. The movie in the center is intense so you may want to consider that if you are bringing children.

My tour guide (Ricki Henderson of About Scotland) brought us to Culloden Battlefield during one of our cruise stops in Scotland. It was very moving to hear about this historic place and the turning point for Scotland's history that it represents. We really enjoyed the entire visit so much. After touring the battlefield, we paused in the visitor's centre just briefly to grab a coffee to go and use the facilities. This place is big, airy, and very welcoming in spite of the DOZENS of people there that day! Everyone working there was so very helpful! I saw a lovely wrap that I wanted to purchase, but everyone in my group was pressing me to rush and I ended up leaving without it. On a lark, I emailed the visitors' center and asked if it could be shipped to me after I got home. Karen Gallimore responded promptly to my email and was more than happy to oblige. I cannot tell you how happy I was today when I received my wool wrap from Scotland... the ONE souvenir I, apparently, couldn't live without! THANK YOU to all of the people working hard at Culloden to keep the memory of your brave countrymen alive and well today. And special thanks to Karen Gallimore for going out of her way to send a piece of Culloden home to me in the US.

As we followed the guide down a path, she talked about how the grave markers are approximations. Two flags are pitched in the moor from each starting point, one designating the Jacobites and the other the English. It's really interesting to come here knowing a bit of the history (thanks to Outlander, I gotta admit) that's filled in by the tour guides. The moor as we see it now is not exactly what they experienced on the battlefield that day, and they are slowly getting it back to how it was. While largely the same, a lot of wildflowers and heather has overtaken the moor; plus it's considerably dryer now. The tour guide expressed that they will be continually working on shaping it to a more accurate representation. There are still noticeable mounds in the earth where mass graves are marked, and they are pretty obvious. The markers that we see today were erected in 1881 by Duncan Forbes, while the battle happened in 1746. Needless to say, it makes sense that estimates were used. (The tour DOES stop at the Fraser stone, if you're an Outlander fan.) Interspersed throughout the clan markers are "mixed clan" markers, as well as larger, squared stoned that list the numbers of men the clans gave for the cause, and also informational plaques. One such plaque was set before a large open field: "Around here, the Jacobites began to fire their muskets and gather speed as they charged at the government army, yelling and shouting. Today: Archeologists have found items here relating to artillery, suggesting that the Jacobites were pounded by numerous rounds of canister shot-cans full of musket balls or grapeshot-fired from, government guns." The tour concluded at a small, thatched cottage (Leanach Cottage). It was here that one of the battle's first causalities took place: a cannon ball ripped through the roof. The little cottage was the first Visitor's Center, so you see from the new behemoth of a center how far this place has come. A part of the Visitor Center's walls are constructed with slate gray bricks, each one signifying a fallen man. The Visitor's Center is large, with a bunch of exhibits. It's a mix of the old world and the new. You'll find projected 3-D text on glass screens in one corner, and original letters written in Charles Edward Stuart's own hand in another. Immersive sound exhibits, not to mention regalia from the battle set behind glass (including muskets and garb). A brutal re-enactment video projects all around you in one room. It's one thing to wander a field full of sunshine and heather, and another to see a scene projected around you, hearing the screams of dying men, blood splattering, muskets exploding, and the sheer chaos of it. It made my eyes prickle. PROS: -Competent, knowledgeable tour guides who are passionate and good on their toes to answer questions. (The tour is free, but please tip your tour guides because they are awesome.) -It's nearby Clava Cairns, which is the alleged inspiration for Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series. Specifically, the standing stones that Claire Freaser uses to pass through. -Also near downtown Inverness, so we were able to drive here in about 15 minutes. -Newly renovated Visitor's Center is spacious, with a ton of interactive exhibits, as well as weapons, clothes, and letters from that time period. NEUTRAL: -It was about £11-12 which was a bit pricey on top of paying for parking, but hey it goes to the National Trust for Scotland, so it's hopefully going to the upkeep of such an historic place. CONS: -Parking is a few pounds here, so be aware of that when you pull into the lot (not included in the ticket price). THE VERDICT: Though it's been a while since we were here, I remember this experience well. We were up early (9:30am) to check out the battlefield, and it was a seriously beautiful day. It was interesting and informative, and the free tour is a must. I was surprised to see a plaque commemorating my ancestors here: the Clan Donald Memorial, erected by the "Clan Donald Society to honour all MacDonalds killed at Culloden and in the battle elsewhere." Which I hastily applied some flowers to, feeling a mixture of surprise and... Er.. well, pride kind of, that my relatives fought for something they believed in. It was the end of so many of them, but they died and fought for their convictions, or perhaps loyally following their laird's orders because they trusted him... Rebellion runs in my family, and that's something I feel some sort of way about. MY TIME: We spent about two hours here (+30-40 minutes for the queue and parking/paying), including the guided tour, our own exploration of the museum, and our own exploration of the fields after the tour guide. We were able to slip in and join the tour about 15 minutes after it had just started, but I definitely recommend checking the tour times with when you want to arrive. TIPS: It's a large, open field, so make sure to wear comfortable shoes and sunscreen.

Nearly 250 yrs ago a raging battle at Culloden battlefield killed a lot of Highland clan members, English soldiers and spectators. No one was spared, not even women nor children. The blood shed was overwhelming. It all started with a vision by the "Pretender" to conquer back the Stuart Throne after the "Union" was formed in 1707. In earlier years young exciled Charles was smuggled out of Scotland and brought to France where he grew up with the aspiration to one day return to Scotland and win back his kingdom, his birth right! He gathered his army at Glenfinnan and more and more highland chieftains and their clan members joined the common cause to defeat the English and drive them out of Scotland forever. The English under the Duke of Cumberland were tough and made it through the Scottish territory during a harsh winter. The battle at Culloden was fierce and Scottish hope and dreams shattered. What we see today is a field with a closeby futuristic looking visitor centre. It's a very modern build and I'm not so convinced its suitable for the area. I have been to Culloden a few times before and every time it's different. This time I arrived at dawn and parked my car at the small car park just before you pass the gates. It was about 7.30pm and I thought the territory might be closed for visitors, but this was not the case. I followed the little path from the car park and walked around the field. There are signs asking you to keep your dogs on the leash and to remember that a lot of people died there. Respect the area! There are several monuments, large and small, the largest one being erected by the landowner to remember the past and all the soldiers who gave their lives. There are grave stones with clan names on them and blue and red flags indicating the position of the British and Highland armies. What happened to Bonnie Prince Charlie? He survived and fled the field, was hidden and smuggled off the island by Fiona MacDonald. Sadly he died alone in a country far away many years later, in old age. The aftermath of the Jacobite rebellion was savage. Scottish prisoners captured after the battle were either executed or deported to the Americas or West Indies. The Jacobites lost, but its better than never have tried at all! Today, what remains are the memories of a past battle and the opportunity to walk around a field that holds a lot of symbolism! And whilst there definitely check out the visitor centre telling you all about the battle, offers coffee, food and toilets.

I won't give an overview of the battle/history/stories here. Culloden battlefield is well worth a visit. On a Sunday, be warned, the 2B doesn't run, but you can get the 5B or 5C to Balloch and it's about a twenty minute walk (uphill for the most part). On the battlefield the front lines of both sides are indicated by a line of flags (red and blue) so you can really get a feel for the amount of space the battle occurred in. Paths are laid out with small benches and information board with a map every so often. It's about a 30 minute walk around if you read each one and take your time. There's small memorial stones for the Clans which fought and a large stone memorial for everyone who fought (on the Jacobite side, I believe). When you're in this area of the field it's requested you keep quiet. After your walk you can warm up with a coffee in the visitors centre.

As a big Outlander TV show fan, I was fascinated and haunted by the real battlefield. It was thought provoking as you walked along the path to see the numerous clan's memorial stones and imagined the loss of so many highlanders. The Fraser clan was there as well. Highly recommend a visit.

The boy was unhappy with paying for parking as well as paying for entry to the exhibition centre (up to 10 quid per adult now). Fortunately, you don't have to pay to walk around the battlefield itself and can appreciate the magnitude of events that took place there in 1746. We were able to cobble together details of the events between us (I visited Culloden as a kid and had used the soundbites I had learned there for years). With the soggy weather we have had recently, you can really appreciate what a terrible choice of battlefront this was, even with the best of efforts to drain the land, it's still a bog and awful for infantry to do battle. I do remember the stories of Culloden, for those with an interest in history or the military, it's well worth the visit.

It's not until you get there and have the vista laid out before you and walk the field that you really get to grip with the hopelessness of the Clans position on that fateful day . Why Charlie and his generals chose such a terrible place to fight a battle against a well equipped disciplined British Army force is beyond belief . How the Jacobites even got within striking distance of the British Army lines is testimony to their sheer courage , determination and loyalty . The ground is uneven , and covered with thick heather and low brush which it must have been almost impossible to run through and maintain a charging line . The Jacobites should have disappeared into the heather and simply attacked the supply routes of the British Army to starve it of supplies and reinforcements .

The NEW Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre is fantastic. The Battlefield remains the same spooky moor and has been preserved to remain in keeping with the time of the battle. The new visitor centre is a fantastic eco friendly, award winning building with plenty of exhibits to inform you of reasons for the battle and the exact events on the day. Suitable for kids and adults (my toddler happily wandered about) with plenty of space inside and great access for disabled people. The film is excellent but a little scary for little kids or those of a sensitive nature. The cafe is fantastic - good food at a reasonable price. Look out for offers on the admission price since it is a bit steep (especially for families). The staff are informative and friendly and even have brollies spare if you forget yours!

I;ve been here a few times now and evertime I vivit it has the same effect on me. Theres an eerie stillness at culloden and without getting all poetic, you really can almost hear the voices of the fallen. Theres surprisingly a fair bit to see on the battlefield itself, and the visitors centre is pretty good too, with very good facilities all round.

A truly monumental site to behold, the guest center is lovely but the battlefield is breathtaking, well preserved and managed, a must in Scottish history

A fifteen-minute drive along the B9006 east of Inverness takes you into tranquil moorland, and onto the site of the last major battle fought on British soil. On these rolling grasslands in April 1746, several thousand men fought a pitched battle to decide which Royal dynasty would prevail over Britain, the Catholic Stuarts, or Protestant Hanoverians. The Highland chieftains at the time were mostly behind the Stuart cause, although there were many exceptions, most notably the Campbells. The Scottish Lowlanders were overwhelmingly behind the Hanoverian claim to the throne, and had long viewed their northern Gaelic-speaking neighbours with fear and suspicion. The visitor centre is an excellent place to drop in and get to know something of the background to the battle before embarking on a walking tour. There are full-sized dummies of the Hanoverian commander-in-chief, the Duke of Cumberland (who gained the epithet 'Butcher Cumberland' for his brutal treatment of the defeated Jacobite army), as well as ordinary Hanoverian soldiers (or British redcoats) and fiercesome Highlanders. Entering the centre you are directed to a small but comfortable theatre where there is a short film about the battle, and the Stuart/Jacobite rebellion that commenced in 1745. The moors themselves have flags to show the original line-up of the rival armies. There are also memorials marking the spot where so many Scotsmen (and Irish and French mercenaries) fell on the Jacobite positions, victims of the far superior firepower of the Hanoverian troops. Aside from tweating skylarks, the setting is eerily peaceful, making an unnerving experience as you imagine the screams that brutal afternoon 250 years ago. The centre's souvenir shops are brimming with books and other momentos, and a much larger centre is currently being constructed. A small cottage used as a field hospital by the Hanoverians has been faithfully restored, so you can stoop inside and imagine the scenes in less peaceful times!

This place is amazing, the site of the last battle ever fought in Britain and the experience is not to be missed. This site is a true piece of history trying to bring back the events of the battle between the Jacobites and the Government Troops in 1746. There is a visual display and a visitors centre which are being replaced and due to be finished at the end of this year. The old centre was great it had a great gift shop and cafe and the museum and audio display were very informative and gave you a real feel for how things were. So the new upgraded visitors should be excellent, I can't wait. The battlefield is something else, ok when you drive up your looking over a large marshy area with four flags waving in the wind at each corner and you're thinking is this it. But after walking through the museum and watching the displays the moment you set foot on that ground something happens. The place has a real feeling of intensity about it, the grave stones where hundreds of soldiers fell from both sides are scattered around the designated pathway, information boards also show the area's in which soldiers from both sides stood preparing for battle. There's a large memorial and a small well named 'The Well of the Dead'. This site has a defining place in Scottish history and I for one am glad that they are trying to improve the experience for all tourists and Scots folk alike Well Done

The battlefield itself is a bit bleak and featureless so you wouldn't get much out of it without a guide to explain things unless you're already a Scottish history expert - this is why it's well worth paying to look at the exhibition which puts it all in context and explains the importance of the site. Suddenly it's all fascinating! If you're really too tight to fork out go on St Andrews day when you can not only get free entry but also be fed haggis and neaps and tatties and shortbread and tea and coffee. And listen to bagpipes :)

The new visitor centre at Culloden is an absolute triumph. This is the site of the battle between the Jacobites and Hanovarians in 1746, and the windy, tranquil moorland creates a sobering counterpart to the story of the battle housed in the visitor centre. The visitor centre itself walks you through the political and social context of the battle. There is a theatre for a short film (played on screens all around you) depicting the battle, plus actors in silhouette describing their views and their role in the conflict. There is so much information that some very simple parts of the exhibition are particularly powerful, such as the passageway where you can hear the heavy rainfall on the night before the battle. The visitor centre has a nice airy cafe serving locally produced food. There is also a large giftshop with pottery, sweets, books and the like. It is also good to note that if you join the National Trust for Scotland here, as we did, it also gives you access to National Trust properties in England. The joining fee for the National Trust for Scotland is also cheaper than its English cousin.

Fantastic historical site. The main building has been newly refurbished and now holds a guest cafe, shop, toilets and a very impressive museum full of artifacts, documents and art from the period. The inside tour is self guided and very informative. Once done inside, you can tour the grounds on your own with a recorded guide or join one of the frequent tours. Very educational and touching monument to history.

Our family recently visited Culloden Battlefield during a two week trip in Scotland. We all felt it was one of the best done history type museums we had every visited. The flow of the exhibits kept it from being overcrowded and the way the information was presented made it accessible to all ages. It was extremely informative and gave a true sense as to what had happened at the site. It was one of our favorite things we did on our trip.

A 5 star place to go for a day out to find out more about the history of Inverness and is good if you are interested in the Jacobites and the battle with the Government. The Centre has recently been rebuilt and is a great place to go for a visit. There is the video presentation which is good and there are sometimes enactments or tours of the battlefield which can be very informative.

The new visitor centre was opened in April 2008 and certainly makes the whole experience so much more. There is a host of visual and audio aids that tell the story of the 17?? Jacobite rebellion. It takes quite some time to go through the centre but it is well worth it as it gives you a host of information but in such a fun way. The battlefield itself seems quite a bleak place and in some ways I feel that it should given the history. There are a number of information points as you walk round but I would recommend that you take the guided tour as the guides provides the information in a great and interesting way. Point to note is that both the visitor centre and the battlefield has been adapted for wheelchair and buggy access. Well worth a visit.

A very good display and film, with cheapish goods in the shop and a good cafe. There are names of donors on the roof of the cafe. Culloden was the last battle to be fought on British soil.

This site is a true piece of history trying to bring back the events of the battle between the Jacobites and the Government Troops in 1746. There is a visual display and a visitors centre which are being replaced and due to be finished at the end of this year. The old centre was great it had a great gift shop and cafe and the museum and audio display were very informative and gave you a real feel for how things were. So the new upgraded visitors should be excellent, I can't wait. The battlefield is something else, ok when you drive up your looking over a large marshy area with four flags waving in the wind at each corner and you're thinking is this it. But after walking through the museum and watching the displays the moment you set foot on that ground something happens. The place has a real feeling of intensity about it, the grave stones where hundreds of soldiers fell from both sides are scattered around the designated pathway, information boards also show the area's in which soldiers from both sides stood preparing for battle. There's a large memorial and a small well named 'The Well of the Dead'. This site has a defining place in Scottish history and I for one am glad that they are trying to improve the experience for all tourists and Scots folk alike Well Done

An eerie feeling in the air when you visit the Battlefied, named stones. Film can be viewed of the last battle fought. Small shop & cafe.

An excellent place to go for walks and see some history of the Battle of Culloden. You can walk the Battlefield for free or go into the museum for a small fee. It has a restaurant where the food is very good and homemade. I would recommend it for a short visit but not for a day out.

I went here for a 2 hour visit with my 6 year old daughter. I have other children but thought that they would be too young for it and it would be a waste of admission price and I was right. The new visitor centre is lovely and modern inside, their is a gift shop and tea room, which was actually ok priced and had homemade baking etc. Within the visitors centre, it is quite interactive and you can hear actors voices explaning the situation they are in, which make it more realistic than reading it off a board. Even in late Sunday afternoon it was still busy. You can go out to the battlefield if you want and they give you a set of headphones with sat-nav type equipment, you walk out to the different numbers and stop and listen to the commentary, then move on. It is deadly silent on the battlefield and it just makes you think about the number of people who lost their lives in this battle. Although the weather was good that day, it was windy and chilly on the moor, so we didnt spend a lot of time on it. If its not a good day wrap up as you will feel the elements. When I returned to the visitors centre i noticed that although we were getting picked up, that there was a car parking charge notice in the car park, which I thought was a bit greedy if you were visiting the visitors centre as well. it is not cheap to get in but this is probably reflected in that it is a newly launched visitors centre.