Culloden in the rain

Outlander fans need no further explanation. For everyone else, Culloden was a pivotal battle in the history of Scotland, and actually had repercussions around the world, including the American Colonies. It was a disastrous defeat and end of the 2nd Jacobite uprising. Bonnie Prince Charlie hightailed it back to Europe, where he stayed for the rest of his life. The Scottish Highlands paid a heavy price for the whole affair.

The red flags marked the line of the British (aka "Government" troops). The display in the visitor center told the story of the events leading up to the battle from the Government side (red) and the Jacobite side (blue).

The national flower of Scotland is the thistle. The story goes that the Vikings were sneaking barefoot up to a Scottish settlement at night, when suddenly one Viking stepped on a thistle and cried out. This woke the Scotsmen who leapt up to defend their people and defeat the Vikings. At least that one time.

This cairn and all of the clan grave markers were added to the battle site on Culloden moor in the 1800s. This being Scotland, it rained off and on all day, which definitely added to the somber atmosphere.

The Fraser clan stone had more flowers than all the other stones. Outlander fans know why.

We walked pretty far, from the British line to the Jacobite line (blue flags) and back around. It was beautiful with all the wildflowers blooming.

This is not the original crofter's hut where Jamie Fraser (yes, I know) and other Jacobite wounded holed up, but it sure looks like it.