The last pitched battle ever fought on British soil took place on the eastern edge of Inverness in 1746. The Battle of Culloden saw the crushing of Bonnie Prince Charlie and his dream of a restored Stuart monarchy. The Jacobite defeat sounded the death knell for the traditional Highland way of life; the horrors of the Clearances, when thousands were forcibly evicted from their home, soon followed.
The somber moor where the conflict took place has scarcely changed in almost three centuries. The National Trust for Scotland's Culloden Visitor Centre (nts.org.uk; adult/child £16/11.50) has everything you need to know about the battle, including the lead-up and the aftermath, with perspectives from both sides. An innovative 360-degree movie puts you in the middle of the mayhem, and a wealth of other audio presentations must have kept Inverness’ entire acting community in business for weeks.
After a look around the museum, join a 45-minute guided tour (included in the admission price) of the battlefield where 1500 Jacobites were slaughtered by government forces in less than an hour.
