CULLODEN MOOR (battle in 1746)

Returning eastwards to Inverness on the A9 you follow the Beauly Firth and just before Inverness come to the mouth of the Caledonian Canal at Clachnaharry (Harry's Stone). Here you can watch boats enter and exit the canal and see the large swing bridge in operation that allows the railway to cross the mouth of the river Ness.

Of course no visit to Inverness can be complete without a visit to the famous sight of Culloden Moor. From the town center take the Aberdeen road (A96) for a very short distance to the junction with the A9 and take this road for about 3 miles as it climbs above Inverness with grand views over the Moray Firth. Signs will direct you towards the Culloden Visitor's Center.

The sight is officially called Drummossie Muir (The wet Moss land on the ridge). These days you have to pay to enter the sight but it has been set out well with guides and notices giving information about the sight and how the battle too place.

In the center are the usual tourist paraphernalia and museum exhibits but worth watching is the 10 minute Multi-Slide show which will give you a better view of the history and its bloody events.

Stone cairns mark where various clans were buried and there is a large cairn memorial. The sight used to be open and part of the main road and gave a great sense of morose, but this seems to have been lost in the sanitation clean-up, which makes the sight look too bright and clean. However the only house (A black House) to remain and which it is said Prince Charlie and his Officers used when planning the battle, is still well preserved and well worth a visit.

The Muir (moor) over looks a great gully where the railway traverses a magnificent red bricked Viaduct. Just along the road from the musum (east) you come to Culloden station which has been closed since the 60's but still in excellent condition. The yard is still used by bitumen trains. Why this station has never been re-opened to serve tourists will remain a great puzzle!

Drumossie Moor (Cullodon Battle field. Looking eastwards to the Cairngorms (Blue Mountains). The yellow flag is area of one of the armies

Looking North towards the Black Isle and the Cromarty Firth. Red flag points to the area of one of the armies

Looking slightly northwest to the mountains in Southerland.

Rear of the original house, claimed to have been used by Prince Charlie

Front of the original house. Looking northwards.

From the west side of the house, looking north with cairn and flag on the battle field.

Headstone for the Clan Stewart of Appin

Headstone to a mixed Clan burial spot

Headstone to the Clan Fraser

The National Monumont to the Battle Of Cullodon

Incription on Monument