NEW research by Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has been published, which revises the position of the Jacobite left flank during the Battle of Culloden.
HES has uncovered new evidence for the location of Culloden Parks, the designed landscape around Culloden House, which was an important element of the battlefield landscape of Culloden in 1746, thought to have been lost.
The new evidence shows that Culloden Parks was situated further to the west of the traditional battlefield site than previously thought, but also that a significant amount of the boundary walls of the parks survive.
The finding has significant bearing on current understanding of the battlefield landscape and the battle itself. The Jacobites used the southern end of Culloden Parks as their left flank when deployed for the battle, meaning the left flank must have occupied a more westerly position than previously thought.
The Battle of Culloden is one of the most iconic battles in Scotland’s history, and has a place in the national consciousness.
Kevin Munro, senior designations officer at HES who conducted the research, said: “The Battle of Culloden is one of the most documented and studied conflicts in Scotland’s history, so to unearth new information that will further enhance our understanding of this significant battle is very gratifying.
“As part of our role in maintaining the Inventory of Historic Battlefields, we routinely review and assess different sources of information that can continue to help shape our understanding of these significant pieces of Scotland’s historic environment.
“This clear evidence for the survival of Culloden Parks shows us that the story of the Battle of Culloden is still unfolding along with our understanding of the historic landscape. This research will further enhance our knowledge of the pivotal events that took place on 16 April 1746.”
Culloden House played a key role in the conflict as a headquarters for Bonnie Prince Charlie and his Jacobite commanders in the days leading up to the battle.
It is one of the most important battles in the history of the British Isles. It was the final battle fought on the British mainland and a total and bloody defeat for the Jacobites, ending more than half a century of Jacobite conflict.
The battle took place 275 years ago, so the landscape has been significantly altered through agricultural development and changes in land use. Many landscape elements that were recorded in the 1740s were believed to have been lost to these changes.
The battlefield itself is one of the most visited tourist sites in the Highlands, and the site holds a particularly high significance and emotional connection to many within Scotland and to the ancestors of the Scottish diaspora.
While a number of elements have been identified or confirmed through historical and archaeological research over the last few decades, much of the battlefield has remained unclear.
The discovery of the location of Culloden Parks was made by cross-referencing contemporary 18th century maps alongside much more precisely detailed modern mapping.
HES used modern technology in the form of airborne laser scanning, known as LIDAR, which records the landscape in 3D. This data can show subtle landscape features more prominently than is often seen on the ground and was able to show the original channel of the Red Burn.
Finally, a field assessment was carried out to trace the physical evidence of the surviving walls on the ground.
HES will use this evidence to inform a future review of the inventory of Historic Battlefields and the record for the Battle of Culloden.
