Culloden Moor Battlefield: Where History Meets Reality

"This could have been our (America's) story."

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We had arrived in Inverness that morning.  After checking in and making our way around the city, we headed by bus out to Culloden Moor battlefield.  Like most, our interest peaked with a famous Scottish television series.  Our dedication to seeing it resided in its ties to history and the Jacobite's, which we had been continuously learning about on the trip since we started.

We started at the visitor center, and arrived just in time to be invited to a historical presentation about the fate of the prisoners of the Jacobite rising at Culloden Moor.  Clearly interested, we attended.  The presentation was that similar to those given at National Parks in America.  The presenter was animated and knowledgeable.  He explained the history of the uprising, its fate, and the complications of dealing with those that had been captured.  The number of men, women and children who were imprisoned was 3,470, and trying all of them in open court would have been time consuming and expensive.  A system was created, and only specific people were selected.  Their fates went one of three ways: imprisoned (unless you gave up someone else who was involved), payment and a promise to never be involved again, or you were transported out of the country to work in the colonies.  "A quick ticket to America".

This comment sat in the back of our minds after the presentation.  We continued into the informational center, and we began to silently reflect on what we were reading and learning.  Small details began to arise.  The history is presented as the Jacobite's versus "The Government" instead of Imperial Britian.  Those who were dedicated to the Bonnie Prince were listed as rebels.  And what struck us most was the description of the Clans.  Men who had been trained by both the French and British were depicted as being unorganized.  

We pondered on these small references as we exited the visitor center and out onto the battlefield.  The land stretched out before us, surrounded by the beginning of the Highlands in the distance.  It was easy to see why this battlefield was popular with visitors and historians.  We headed out onto the paths and were quickly consumed by the field that surrounded us.  

The ambience is one of sacred silence.  As visitors pass each other they nod and smile, acknowledging this space is one to be honored.  We found clan markers, including Clan Fraser.  We stopped and took pictures, pointed out sites, and continued to walk along the battle lines, learning the story that unfolded here.  It then settled upon us what we were a part of.

"This could have been our story."  As soon as the words were in the air, the reality of the experience 1,000 miles from home came into being.  The story at Culloden could have been one of many of the battles fought in America.  Gettysburg came into mind first.  The field has the same feel, even if it was for different reasons.  And it begged us to think of the question.
What if the Patriot rebels of America hadn't won?

History is very much a part of today's story.  Although it sometimes feels as though it occurred hundreds of years ago, the outcomes are very much a part of the day to day life we live today.  There are so many what if's.

What if Imperial Britian had won the war of 1812 and regained the American colonies?  Would we pay in pounds?
What if the Jacobite's had won, and were not imprisoned? Would the number of Scots that were sent to America have been less?
What if history was written differently?

As the saying goes, we'll never know.  We know only today.  And today's reality consistently asks us to reflect on our history.

Culloden Moor persuades you to think about the world a little differently.  It invites you into the story of the Bonnie Prince Charlie, and people who believed in a different way of life.  It asks you to see those who were on the battlefield through their eyes.  These were people who believed in what they were fighting for, who believed in an outcome.  Someone, depending on your lens, won or lost that day.  

All of this is captured at Culloden Moor.
Their story is our story.
Your walk with history is waiting.