Why the Battle of Culloden probably wasn't what you think

What really happened at the Battle of Culloden? - On the 16th of April 1746, the Jacobite army, led by Charles Edward Stuart, met the Hanoverian government force, led by William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland on Drumossie Moor, near the village of Culloden.
Culloden would be the last pitched battle fought on UK soil. The battle marked the last stand of the House of Stuart and the Jacobite cause and accelerated the end of clan culture as a way of life.
What happened at the Battle of Culloden? What led to the final conflict? And what were the consequences for the highland way of life?
Find out the real history behind Outlander.
Follow my adventures as I travel through the landscapes and history of Scotland. I make quick, quirky and (hopefully) funny content about Scotland's past, people and scenery.
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[@scotlandunplugged]

Correction - the Act of Proscription didn’t ban the playing of pipes but rather the bearing of arms and the wearing of highland dress in certain counties (including a long list of tartan garments). While the teaching of Gaelic wasn’t specifically mentioned, the act required all teachers in private schools to be registered and to swear an oath to the king and forbade parents from sending their children to any unregistered schools.

[@hirundine44]

Nice videos... I am all agog! Bagpipes They are actually warpipes. Pipes like Northumbrian pipes, were the social type.

[@monicab204]

Very well done! 👏❤️ Thank you. Culloden is definitely a place for quiet respect, reflection, and honor for the many that lost their lives there.🕊🕯

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thank you!

[@ruadhagainagaidheal9398]

Growing up in Inverness, I often cycled to Culloden field as a boy. I found an eerie peace there among my fallen forebears.

[@finndebrodelegh218]

My Dad took me as a teenager. I’m English, and I knew nothing about it, but I can tell you beyond a shadow of doubt the place has spiritual presence, and on a cloudy autumn afternoon, for no reason I knew, the hairs on the back of the neck all stood to attention, and the presence was palpable!

[@maxwellfan55]

Please explain what you mean by "spiritual". Thanks.

[@janice506]

Am guessing your presence angered all those dead Scotsmen

[@whiskeycook3323]

When I visited culloden several years ago, I felt the same solemness as when I visited Pearl Harbor. Being there is so moving and sad, you can feel the sorrow and pain in both places.

[@artawhirler]

I first heard of this battle as a teenager in the early 1970s, when I saw the brilliant documentary "Culloden" (1964). That movie is on KZbin for free, and anyone with the slightest interest should watch it!

[@shirleylaboy603]

You have a knack for bringing Scottish history to life, Robert. Thank you so much for sharing it. 🙂❤️

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thanks Shirley! 🙂

[@stonemarten1400]

Yeah, it’s nice to have a bit of humour thrown in there too.

[@michaelmulholland9072]

Mei4j3i45u5

[@patriciahansen6032]

I was fortunate to visit Culloden a few years ago. There was definitely something evocative about the place, and maybe that was partly because it was raining that day, but I was glad to be able to visit there. Thank you for this detailed history. There's so much we can learn from the past, if we choose to.

[@scotlandunplugged]

Very true. Amazing place 🙂

[@kathleenmuller306]

Much like our Civil War battle fields, these fields hold more then the bones of the men that fought, they hold the aspirations of men who believed in their cause for the love of country. They usually are disquieting and eerie places,interesting but sobering! Wonderful Robert! K.

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thank you!

[@dianaash8077]

@kathleenmuller306 what a beautiful way of describing the feelings one gets when walking a battlefield. ❤

[@HaveMonkeyWillDance]

It was an uprising, not a civil war.

[@luketours]

As a tour guide I wanted to dig a bit deeper into the build up, watched this twice now and has proved to be invaluable …thanks for taking the time to produce it 👍🏼

[@sharonm3677]

Beautiful Robert. I only learned about the highland clearances about 2 yrs ago….yes, trying to find out how my Great Grandparents came to Canada and why. This history brings a tear to my eye and puts heaviness in my heart knowing the hard life and brutal battles that took place and the suffering of people. Thank you for sharing this history, you explain it with such ease and so much easier to understand. In my research I’ve come across so many writings stating such things such as the clearances and shipping Scots to another country was ‘better and helping’ them. I couldn’t figure out why I had so many discrepancies of information and it was finding my great grandfathers will that started my journey into trying to understand so much of the history of Scotland. I just love listening to you explain the history, places and events. Thank you ❤❤

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thank you! Ah, yes, “Improvements” were what the clan chiefs used to discuss when they met in their clubs (while dressed in madatory highland dress). So many contributing factors to the clearances, I suppose. Even the wool that made kilts popular came from the sheep that would eventually replace the people wearing them. 🤯

[@debpratt52]

My 5X Great-Grandfather witnessed the battle of Culloden as a 6-year-old. He was from Forres, baptized and married in Dyke. In 1773, he sailed with his wife and children to the Caribbean and, through good fortune, to Kortright Patent in NYS. The clan names on the stones in Culloden are the same names in the Old , Scotch Cemetery in Delhi, NY. We are planning a trip to Scotland in 2024 to visit where family once lived.

[@neilmorrison7356]

@@scotlandunpluggedand of course many of the clans that had supported the Hanoverians suffered as much if not worse than the Jacobite clans for example the MacKays in Sutherland.

[@kubhlaikhan2015]

The clearances happened everywhere in Britain not just Scotland. They really got going with the Inclosure Act of 1773. They were motivated primarily by the need for more cash crop farming and food production, not politics. The surplus labour led to the Industrial Revolution.

[@neilmorrison7356]

@@kubhlaikhan2015 while you are correct in saying the Inclosure Act was an important driver. However in the Highlands the problem was exacerbated by the fact they went from subsistence farming which was labour intensive to sheep farming which needed few workers, many of whom were employed from southern Scotland and northern England. When the Enclosures happened in Caithness most of the people evicted were employed on the newly created arable farms so there was no great move of people away. Indeed workers had to be attracted to work in the Caithness flag industry and herring industry. There was also a political drive to destroy the clan system, which was already wakening. Indeed there was an almost racial hatred of the Gaels by the Lowland Scots very similar to the issues in Ireland.

[@davidmccarter9479]

The visitor centre at Culloden is excellent. Well worth the trip.

[@kathleendolan2062]

You make the complicated and convoluted history much easier to understand. Keep up your videos. I find them educational, interesting and enjoyable. Thank you ❤️✌️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thank you! That’s the aim (sometimes the hardest part is unraveling in my own head 🤣)

[@wendywhite4537]

I’ve never heard it with such detail. Thank you

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thank you!

[@deedorothypapineau6920]

Great coverage Robert. I grew up with all the romance and little real history thanks to my grandparents on both sides of my family.

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thank you!

[@bbarnes5739]

Visited in the summer and the young man who took us on the tour really did bring the battle to life.a real must for any history nerd like my self. Thanks for the post and keep up the good work Barney from Accrington

[@annamossity8879]

I’m seriously enjoying your videos. Much more than any other history lesson. I look forward to more, Thank you!

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thank you!

[@kayhansen1674]

I knew it was bad, but never knew it was that bad.

[@scotlandunplugged]

Neither did I until I started reading 🙂

[@marcuswall3857]

This is about much more than the battle itself. That isn't a criticism, on the contrary, it is an excellent account of what led up to such a tragic conclusion. As somebody who flatters himself in thinking he knows more than a little about this, I was really impressed with this. Thank you.

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thanks Marcus!

[@steventhomas8964]

I can’t wait for more videos! I love learning about my heritage! You really have a nature story telling about you

[@nadinedeeren9861]

All the Stuarts were, unfortunately, losers. They mainly led to the deaths of thousands at the hands of each King and Queen. Denial was indeed a gem they clutched desperately to their breasts. Although many of us carry Scots genetics because Highland Clearances, I for one would rather my ancestors lived. As a veteran of the US Navy I do believe in honor. Honor was not served at Culloden or at Charlie's feet. Losing your cultural identity is a tragedy that can not be put into words. Thank you Bard for putting Culloden into words (I listened to you and didn't watch the video); you again painted a vivid picture.

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thank you! 🙂 Hope the sound wasn’t too awful 😅

[@haggielady]

​@@scotlandunpluggedThe sound was fine.

[@grahamtravers4522]

You are correct. One of the most disastrous families in British history, even before they got to England.

[@SvenTviking]

Charles II, Mary and Anne were all decent monarchs.

[@DavidBroadley-tw7ks]

​@SvenTviking the 4 james es that were about in the 15 century were they related to james 1 Charles 1 Charles 11 and james 11 in the 17 century james 1v died at flooden didn't he were the earlier james s stuarts

[@richarddaugherty8583]

So tragic! It's a given that soldiers die in battles, but it's criminal for a commander to foolishly waste the lives of his men. I heard a story about President Bush (the senior) who after Desert Storm personally wrote letters to the family of every man killed. He reportedly said something to the effect that nothing brought home the ultimate responsibility to him like doing that. This from a man who was shot down over the Pacific in WWII.

[@scotlandunplugged]

It’s crazy to think they were so detached. Scotland History Tours did a video on just how close the commanders were at Culloden.

[@richarddaugherty8583]

@@scotlandunplugged Your KZbin presentations got me started on re-reading Jack Whyte's The Guardians of Scotland series again (probably for the 3rd or 4th time). I just finished The Forest Laird, and started Robert the Bruce yesterday. One of the things I really enjoy about Jack's writing is the philosophical bits in the story. I encountered them for the first time in The Camulod Chronicles series. They were unexpected, and for me, just golden. As a Scot and an historian he really seems to have done his research and brings the history of Scotland to life. I'd love an opinion from another Scot. Diana Gabaldon, in her Outlander series, really did a good job on history in general, and specifically Scottish history. Fun fact: she was a professor at Arizona State University, and wrote the first book, Outlander, "just for practice, to learn how" to write a novel. Home run, first time out! The rest is history. I've yet to watch the series, but I think it's cool that the cast have read all the books and are trying to stay true to them.

[@toastedgiant5481]

Just stumbled across this video. Really know how to get a lot of information across in a digestible and engaging manner. Thanks algorithm- this definitely deserves more views!

[@timothybrady2749]

A really excellent presentation. Both extremely informative with clear explanation of the people and motives involved on all sides. The battlefield explanations were well done. I learned a lot of history through your presentation!👍

[@morgsjoboo2247]

Wish we had seen your video before we visited Culloden, you explain everything so well 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 We felt very moved when we visited Culloden last April and was so glad we went. Thank you for sharing Morgs Jo and Boo 🐕 ❤

[@GLK-London]

This is excellent and wonderfully presented, I first visited Culloden battlefield in the early 1970's and its good to see history is still being preserved. Thank you for this excellent video sir.

[@johnp8131]

Went there whilst on detachment at RAF Kinloss back in the eighties. Visited on a damp April day back then, pretty eerie! Looks more interesting now as there's a visitor centre with a museum which wasn't there back then. The Cairns not far from there are worth seeing too.

[@kimfleury]

I'm told that one of my great-grandmothers was of Scottish descent, and that her mother or grandmother came to America in a maple syrup kettle. She was a little girl when they made the crossing, by ship of course, and she was so seasick the whole way that her mother was afraid she would die. The cure was fresh air, but being on deck made her more seasick, so they put her in the big cooking kettle on deck. I don't know if they made maple syrup in Scotland, but that's what they used the kettles for in America.

[@scotlandunplugged]

That’s interesting. I don’t know much about maple syrup, beyond how good it is in pancakes! 🙂 Having given myself motion sickness in a go kart the other day, I can sympathise 😂

[@marilynhalberg7915]

Dude, you are the coolest ever! How is it even possible that you don't have your own TV show?!

[@scotlandunplugged]

Haha. I’ll take that! 🙂 Thank you!

[@elsieelm2763]

I shall listen to this again. Thank you for telling this history so well.

[@DigginWithDash]

Really enjoyed this video, a balanced and unbiased reflection on the battle. like most things in life many people take a small part and make it something it wasn't whereas you haven't, now subscribed

[@patriciamccormack7626Teashee]

Amazing info Robert 👍🏆 I'm so glad I wasn't about in those days 😮 lol about the shortbread ❤

[@scotlandunplugged]

Me too!

[@markprior6009]

I have not doubt in my mind that it’s truly sad there Robert, I’ve never been to Culloden. I agree our awful history is a shameful part of our nation’s development. I have however been to Bergen Belsen concentration camp in Germany when I was a kid. I’m 50 now and can remember being there 37 years ago like it was yesterday. How disgusting human beings can be to one another! It’s interesting that the sites of these tragedies hold on to the evilness in the air!! In Belsen I remember not seeing or hearing any birds. Is it the same at Culloden? Great episode buddy, love your format 👍🏼

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thank you! Must admit it struck me when I was editing the video that I’ve never been to a concentration camp. I can only imagine what that must be like. Culloden feels reflective but there’s a lot of life about it - and it’s easy on the eye. Definitely worth a visit if you’re in the area.

[@deedorothypapineau6920]

My father was one of the advanced scouts to Bergen Belsen. It was terrible. He always told me to never let anyone try to tell me it hadn’t happened. I’ve met proud Germans since then that were happy to be reunited when the Berlin Wall came down and couldn’t believe their people could have done such an atrocity. Never forget history.

[@XenaBe25]

@@deedorothypapineau6920 Ikr. The more I uncover of my own family history, the more I want to cry into my McDonald's cheeseburgersNot rlly joking, there... Historians prefaced my clan name with "Mad." And they were All we can really do is pledge to *be better.* And mean it.

[@XenaBe25]

@@deedorothypapineau6920 I really really want to visit Dunvegan Castle for their annual dinner, though. My contemporary extended family look pretty interesting 😊

[@mogznwaz]

I don’t understand why people get upset that people fought a lot back in history and weren’t always very nice to each other. The Scots attacked the English, the English attacked the Scots, the Vikings attacked everyone, the French and Spanish had a go too etc etc etc

[@haggielady]

You bring the past to life. That's a great gift you have. Thanks for sharing it with us.

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thank you! 🙂

[@cjtramm8]

Went there and had goose bumps the whole time. Freaked me out. Just a feeling

[@ramonadixon1291]

I'm a day late but at work and had a moment so I watched your video. It was sad yet beautiful at same time. I was in tears for both reasons. I appreciate all of the work and dedication that you have put into this. You're such an eloquent storyteller. Thank you!

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thank you! 🙂

[@stephenoran2019]

Exceptional! Very well-researched and presented! Keep up the great work!

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thanks Stephen!

[@Emma-Jayne]

Incredible scenery but such humbling history. It’s surprising that so much of it is researchable really when most historical events are written by the victors and usually only about their triumphs. I suppose with so much loss it would be difficult to keep everything hidden! Great video Robert, touching too. Sorry Ive not been on much or commented, lost my father in law suddenly, so we have all been in shock. So I really enjoyed this one. But if I am quiet it’s not down to content here, this is always spot on

[@scotlandunplugged]

Hi Emma, sorry to hear of your loss. Hope you’re doing ok. There seem to have been a lot of written records, and accounts from some of the main players, some of whom were in exile.

[@Emma-Jayne]

@@scotlandunplugged Thank you I appreciate that. Glad there was a lot of information on it, most especially because it was so brutal. Wish there was more on all history.

[@lindasworld5238]

Thank you for giving a thorough and clear account! Gives a bit of insight as to how my Grandmother's ancestors may have left Scotland for England and then for the U.S.. And here I am wanting to come to Scotland. Complicated business but you made it understandable.

[@suellenspencer-eb2nv]

Thank you for this tragic history story. Such sadness. You tell it well.

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thank you! 🙂

[@doertemink9105]

Thank you so much! I learned about that in English history at University - but your explanation is much more enjoyable!!!

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thank you 🙂

[@WkdWnch007]

Wonderful lesson, beautifully told...thank you, Rob!!! ❤🐮❤🇺🇸❤🐮❤

[@captainskippy6622]

Top notch video and narration. My wife and I were there in October 2023. Such a solemn place. I had been able to trace back to my 5th great grandfather, a member of the Grant Clan. According to British records he was a Jacobite and captured at or after Culloden, imprisoned, and several years later banished to the Colonies in America. I had tears in my eyes as we walked that sacred ground as I do now.

[@sargonixofur1234]

‘Bonnie’ Prince Charlie was a disaster for Highlanders who fled back to France without a care for the utter ruin of his loyal supporters. Never understand why he remains so revered. Murray was a good commander, let down by Charlie’s poor staff and decision making.

[@seanmcilvenie9097]

Typical French. Always see their backs as they run away. Cowards.

[@junesmith852]

So sad but I find this period of Scottish history fascinating..Great video Mr Parker 💪🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿👍

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thank you! 🙂

[@ianbentley-dw1gp]

Excellent. really informative and enjoyable

[@ElizaBeth-ng3pu]

Denial ran deep in that family… wonder what he thought about divine right when it was denied him so many times

[@brianford8493]

Brilliant stuff ..I walked the field many times as a child and when you see it it's the worst place to engage possible.✌️

[@NAR-wv3sl]

Brilliant. Like the museum itself, informative and moving.

[@alasdairbeaton2504]

A very well balanced video. However, the act of proscription never actually banned the pipes or even mentioned them by name. The Falkirk Tryst, the first formalised piping competition, was held just 35 years later in 1781. This built on the many regional competitions that were already happening

[@jamesarmstrong5424]

I have always wondered if or how many of my ancestors took part in this struggle as most of the Armstrongs were either hanged or driven out by James VI/I! Nonetheless, I am drawn to the history and lore of Scotland and hope to someday visit and ultimately retire there.

[@scotlandunplugged]

The Armstrongs have a fascinating history - all that reiving 🙂

[@XenaBe25]

And yeah, my ancestors did some awful things. That probably has more than a little to do with why I felt compelled to breathe that awkward sigh of relief when I found out that they didn't die en masse for Prince Charlie. It's strange to feel these things for 300 and 400 and 1000 year old strangers, isn't it?😕

[@michellepeoplelikeyoumurde8373]

Armstrongs were outlaws and anglo saxons from England most of their leaders were executed and many more were sent to Ulster to subdue the irish

[@DJ-tt7tq]

Drove up there many years ago. It's very quiet, very eerie.

[@alanmclean6690]

What an ansolute excellent presentation & content.

[@martinshepherd626]

Good Video.....im Anglo Irish (irish mother) but my Great Great Grandparents on my fathers mothers side were Scots from Aberdeen/ or somewhere in the Aberdeen area. I do love Scottish history' though i would never claim to be Scots in any way shape or form. My visits to Scotland have always been fantastic......something magical about the place and in respect' just like when i go back to Ireland

[@cyberleaderandy1]

Very interesting. Im from near Derby, and often pass the furthest southern point the Jacobites got at Swarkstone bridge. It always makes me think about what might have happened had things gone differently when i pass there. Ghosts of the past, I guess.

[@ianlawrie919]

Awesome! Most educational 👍👏👌

[@peggycrain532]

Bravo!

[@David-sk9vv]

Fantastic presentation.

[@LeePenn2492]

Very interesting and informative.. Great show.. Went to visit culloden and Inverness whe. I was based up there. Great place ..

[@macdodd]

My first trip to Cullodin was back in the '70s & I've visited several times since but I'm not a fan of the current setup. I've spoken with Tony Pollard about it & also read his book. Where there is a lot more known about it now from the archaeological side there is a lot still to find I have no doubt. Thanks for the wee vid I did enjoy it.

[@bethotoole6569]

WOO HOO!! Back to death and religion! But I guess that's a good part of history anywhere.. Thanks much,, I've learned more about history, a favorite subject, from you than from any class. Although I'm in the US,, history to us is about 100 yrs!! Can't wait to see what's next...

[@kimfleury]

I'm in Michigan. I live near the site of a French trading fort that only dates to around 1640. And the fort itself didn't last long.

[@bethotoole6569]

@@kimfleury There is history here,, but it’s not quite the same. I lived in Belgium for four years and traveled Europe. When you see a cathedral built in the 1500’s,, it’s different from the history here. I often joke that we don’t have any history here which is not true,, that being said it’s not the same as in Europe.

[@scotlandunplugged]

Haha. Always comes back to death and religion! 🙂

[@billballbuster7186]

Very good presentation of a battle that changed history, after Culloden the clans lost their power and many a Scotsman joined the British army a tradition that lasts today.

[@matty74123]

My ancestors, surname Todd were highland police, changed sides at the last minute, abandoning the government, they came from Ayrshire, my grandfather ended up in Australia in 1923

[@scotlandunplugged]

I wonder how many people switched sides. Definitely worse places to wind up than Oz 🙂

[@user-hi3me7nj1h]

Fantastic xpat from Arbroath live in New Zealand cheers mate love your work 😏👌

[@peterstubbs5934]

You didnt mention that the Scottish foray down to Derbyshire was only encountering TA equivalent opposition as the experienced British Army lads were away fighting abroad. When they got wind of expected stiffer opposition the closer they got to London, they decided to call it a day and went north.

[@lindaarmstrongjackman9788]

Thanks. That was great. 😊👍👍

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thank you!

[@Iris_Germany]

❤ thank you for telling us about this dark side of Culloden. 😢

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thanks for watching it! 🙂

[@clivedavies5618]

Excellent analysis Robert. The 1964 docudrama "Culloden" based on John Prebble's book is well woth watching and shows the tragedy of the Highlanders pressed into the fight against their will and poorly armed. Charles Stuart does not come out of it well.

[@ryanawilson8549]

Edinburgh Castle is a military base? I learned something.

[@marksieving7925]

There's a military garrison for ceremonial purposes, and it serves at the regimental headquarters of the Royal Regiment of Scotland.

[@ryanawilson8549]

@@marksieving7925 I learned something else!

[@AndrewRoberts11]

nope, it's always been a poorly located shortbread, postcard, and fridge magnet, retail outlet.

[@user-qp3jj2ks1j]

I am proud to have walked that battlefield wearing a " Edward the first on tour" tee shirt .

[@lucario2188]

Corrections/Notes 8:40 and 9:08 Those paintings aren't of Charles, but instead of his brother. The first painting was done when his brother was in France preparing to lead a French army of 8,000 to 9,000 soldiers in support of Charles. The enterprise was cancelled when news of Culloden reached France. The Clans and his Jacobite Supporters knew that the Stuarts wanted to reclaim the Crowns of the 3 Kingdoms Charles never hided his intention to do that. Another reason the Clans supported him was his willignes to end the act of union which he did in a declaration made on octuber in Edinbourgh. He abolished this when he entered Edingbourgh trough a declaration/edict. Another reason the Clans though they were going to get French support is because France had actually send 2000 soldiers from the Scottish and Irish regiments of the French Army to Scotland and altough they were attacked by the navy around 700 to 900 were able to reach the Jacobite Army. 9:08 The divide of going to England or not was more of a strategic divide some Clan Chiefs tought that it was better move to stay in Scotland secure their positions and fight in Scotland. While Charles tought that is what better to strike while the Iron was still hot. And not the council didn't went out of the window it operated, it was in a council reunion that they voted to retreat from England. 9:34 His supporters didn't started to lose faith until after they started retreating. It was the Clan Chiefs who when not seeing support voted in a council reunion to retreated back to Scotland to avoid being pined in hostil territory. While Charles in the same council reunion argued to keep advancing.

[@columbus7950]

Think it’s the first time I’ve seen Culloden with a blue sky above it.

[@equusquaggaquagga536]

Poor Charlie was in over his head

[@fontybits]

I once gave a lift to a hitchhiker who was travelling from the Loch Lomond area up to Loch Awe in Argyllshire. During the journey, he detailed much of the research he had done regarding a MacDonald soldier who survived the battle, escaped, and ended up in New Zealand. He married a Maori chief's daughter. He was going to call his book, "The Miracle MacDonald." I've never seen it printed. 🤥

[@adolfoestella4699]

Hey man nice video, did you by any chance as the man who was painting the house if there were any ghost sightings near the battlefield? thanks

[@garybrindle6715]

A challenge to condense the huge amount of stories into a coherent presentation. Thanks, and I hope you inspire viewers to dig deeper and discover the treasure trove of writings around the Jacobite risings. Hope, betrayal, bravery and spies. No wonder the swirling savagery and poisoned politics of those times have begat a legacy of enduring tales oft retold.

[@derekstocker6661]

Thanks for this, well done and love the Scots accent as a big part of this report. What sad days there were, and still are with these conflicts taking people's lives and often for so little gain. The bravery of these souls must never be forgotten!

[@citizencairn5230]

Really good, accessible, eloquent and unbiased - exactly what most other accounts out there AREN'T. I agree you can really feel 'something' upon Culloden Muir - what a stupid place to choose to fight

[@mickeyh53]

You told a story Robert..that’s always going to capture people’s imagination..the tales of Bonny Prince Charlie are legendary worldwide..I recall as a wee lad watching the film of the same name starring David Niven..it’s more than likely the starting point of my curiosity towards Scotland..I must say your camera work & editing on this video was outstanding. ThankYou 🇦🇺

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thanks, Michael! I’d forgotten about David Niven as BPC. 🙂

[@blackbob3358]

Aye, there's a lot tripe told about this Italian shirtlifter.

[@janetmackinnon3411]

At that time "pretender" meant "claimant" and had no pejurative suggestion.

[@m.s.5779]

I had the honor of staying in the Culloden House (The Bonnie Prince had stayed there a few nights prior to the battle), and being invited to dine with the Circle of Gentlemen; the last passionate Jacobites left in Scotland. I learned a ton, to include the genocide of the Scottish Clans. I spent the day with the procession to the memorial. While I have opinions about the tactics and impatience of The Bonnie Prince, I hold respect for those who lost their lives in service to Scotland, both at the battle, and the thousands that were mercilessly killed in order to subdue a culture and way of life. Culloden Mor is indeed a sad place filled with ghosts, and Skylarks that sing the song and tell the tell from above the battlefield as if timeless mystical Bards from another world.

[@sophiegeorge2816]

Glencoe is also a sad place

[@ingridfong-daley5899]

I wasn't raised with a strong sense of either general or personal history, but my ex's family were Scottish, so we'd visit them every year and they would tell me all the history and take me to every Historic/Trust location included in their memberships, plus anything interesting on the road along the way (like standing stones, distilleries, etc). I cried at Culloden--not knowing yet that genetically i did have an attachment to the larger culture there; but it was such a 'still' place--people were respectful and treated it with reverence, which really makes the emotional impact easier to experience. I'm always impressed by how well the Scottish know their own history, how proud they are of their cultural identity, and how entertainingly and thoroughly they can pass that information along to the rest of us. :)

[@bronxcheer1484]

Excellent doco

[@Bertie22222]

Throughout history, millions of men have died following one man’s thirst for riches and power. Charlie was one of those lusting for the crown.

[@PortmanRd]

Great video. Have you covered Flodden yet?

[@richardmann145]

Worth mentioning that this was the last battle on mainland Britain for 275 years ( Give or take) & no one would of predicted that at the time because of what had gone before in our history . Great post

[@davidwallace4665]

No bro the Highland Clearing had yet to start and that was as a direct reaction to this Battle. English were brutal to my Country well the Highlands anyway. Poor Guys were better fighters just outnumbered with inferior Weapons and Women weren't spared

[@robertcottam8824]

⁠@@davidwallace4665 You are a Welsh person. As such, I’m not sure you have ‘a fig in the basket’. But you will find that the Highlands were cleared by Scots - highlanders at that - rather than the ‘Anglish’. Ill-informed silliness, such as yours, is simply that. Reading is a good thing. ‘The National Library of Wales’ in Aberystwyth is a ‘legal deposit’, meaning that you can access any book published in The British Isles since 1679, in any language of The British Isles, including your own. Dymuniadau gorau.

[@davidwallace4665]

@@robertcottam8824 I am Scottish and Scots always fought on both sides. The Highland Clearances was mostly English. TBH a don't even understand your comment!

[@davidwallace4665]

@@robertcottam8824 I don't need to go to Wales and read books, I can guarantee I know more History than you especially Military History going back nearly 3000 year's. Your just trying to be smart but you ain't. This Battle right here had Scots fighting with the Union. It's nothing knew, even Robert The Bruce continually changed sides until time was right. So you comment is stupid TBH 👍

[@racheltaylor6578]

I tried running across that moor and found it very difficult so I’m sure it was the same for the highlanders.

[@chendaforest]

Nice outline of a battle which is often wrongly protrayed as England vs Scotland.

[@douglasspencer745]

You can feel the ghosts of those, that are buried there. It’s a most haunting place. I’ve been there twice, I’m English. the first time, with a friend, of mine who moved up from the Hendon area. We tried to run across the field. Seriously couldn’t go very far, at any speed.

[@MalcolmBarron]

My family were fishermen living in nearby Nairn at the time of the Culloden battle. I don't know what side they were on, if any. However, everyone seems to have survived the event.

[@victornewman9904]

Interesting how the clan families backed both sides, to ensure they always came out on top.

[@JohnyG29]

16:35 If only the bagpipe ban had held up...

[@Oldhammer57]

Very informative. The only English Jacobite regiment raised was the Manchester regiment. They suffered terribly when the regiment surrendered at Carlisle castle.

[@ib1587]

What’s the wee thatched house? Original or reconstruction ? Can you get inside it?

[@herstoryswitness]

Thank you for the details I never heard before. I have been to Culloden and it's eerie. There is an overwhelming feeling of sadness. As for the Bonnie Prince, I hope my mother's Alexander relatives are related to Flora and I admire that the young pretender wanted Scotland to be Scotland and not part of the British empire, even if it was said that he had a hard time understanding the Scots language. Please keep the education coming along with the beautiful scenes in your videos!

[@rialobran]

I don't have an ounce of Scottish blood (Cornish) but this war and especially this battle has always intrigued me. You've managed to produce probably the best, and most balanced, view of Culloden I've seen. Brilliantly edited and put together, as well as researched and presented. I didn't know about the despatching of the wounded, a war crime in any book. They did similar to Cornish POW's just 200 years before.

[@paulconnolly5320]

The War of Austrian Succession was really a war to stop French influence in Austria and Spain. The French wars in North America were an extension of this. French support for a Scottish rebellion was merely a distraction. They wanted England to be threatened from within. The Germans copied this plan in 1916.

[@glynluff2595]

I remember visiting the site in the seventies and it did not look like that. I later visited in the 90’s and there were trees now there is a reduction towards heather. History can be so strange!

[@brianives838]

pleased you showed who really did the land clearances. It's about time the current Clan Leaders apologised for Profit over People!!