David Kerr
A series of events are to be held to mark the 270th anniversary of the Battle of Culloden this month.
It remains the last pitched battle on British soil and changed the course of world history when the Jacobites led by Bonnie Prince Charlie were defeated by the Duke of Cumberland’s Hanoverian forces on moorland south of Inverness.
The National Trust for Scotland will host events over April 15 and 16 to mark the anniversary.
A talk will be given on April 15 about recent archaeological discoveries relating to Culloden and the Jacobite uprisings, presented by Derek Alexander, head of archaeological services for the trust.
The following day an anniversary service will held at the Culloden Cairn from 11am following a procession.
People attending will be greeted by members of the Highland Youth Pipe Band before a march to the cairn run by the Gaelic Society of Inverness.
The chief’s address will be delivered by Professor Hugh Cheape and is due to conclude by 12pm.
A number of talks will follow at the visitor centre, including discussions on the impacts of the battle and its aftermath.
Consideration will also be given to how life in he Highlands and islands changed forever following the
The event will conclude with a question and answer session chaired by Mr Alexander from the National Trust.
The battle, which lasted just one hour, was fought on April 16, 1746.
Between 1,500 and 2,000 Jacobites were killed or wounded in that time, while Government losses were lighter with about 50 dead and 259 wounded.
The Jacobite defeat sparked a controversial aftermath with severe restrictions placed on the clan system, including the banning of wearing tartan and kilts except as official army uniform.
It also caused a strengthening of military garrisons in the Highlands, including the creation of the modern fortified Fort George, a a few miles from Culloden Battlefield.
