The Full Itinerary.

After pick-up, we drive to Culloden as we briefly explain who were the Jacobites, why were they occupying Inverness and how did they come to line up, tired and hungry, on a wet and windy heather clad moor on 16th April 1746? On arrival at Culloden Visitor Centre, we’ll go to the viewpoint for an overview of the battlefield and the dispositions of the rival armies. We begin our walk at the British Army front line, before retracing the steps of the Argyll Militia to where they broke down the Culwhiniac enclosure to set up Hawley’s outflanking manoeuvre. From there we walk to the Jacobite front line, and see how Lord George Murray’s unilateral ‘changement’ fundamentally destabilised the Highlanders charge.  We view the scene of the stand-off between Cobham’s dragoons and Elcho’s lifeguards, and at the other extreme of the Jacobite line the location of the legendary lone ‘French gun’, that allowed a large part of the Jacobite left wing to retreat unscathed.

Returning to the main battlefield area, we follow the line of the Highland charge and see what part the topography played in the Highlanders almost achieving a breakthrough. We finish at the high water mark of the battle, where the fiercest fighting took place and the dream of a Stuart restoration finally died alongside 1500 brave Highland soldiers.

After a morning at Culloden, we drive to Inverness along the route taken by the fleeing Highlanders and where many were brutally cut down by Kingston’s horse mounted squadrons. Although most of the buildings in Inverness post-date Culloden, the street layout is remarkably unchanged and we complete a pleasant stroll around the centre, stopping at sites known to have been visited by Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Duke of Cumberland during their respective stays in the town. Return to your pick-up point after the tour of Inverness.

Lunch can be taken either at Culloden Visitor Centre or at any of the excellent café’s, restaurants or foodstalls in Inverness. Your guide will be happy to recommend what is best for time and your budget.

Optional: Culloden Visitor Centre Exhibition (additional charges apply).