Culloden Battlefield and Clava Cairns

Summary

This route combines a visit to the Culloden Battlefield - where the Jacobite Rising met its end - and the stunning prehistoric Clava Cairns. The remainder of the walk is through pleasant semi-rural countryside. The walk is partly signed as the Culloden Battlefield Trail.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

3.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Woodland paths, tracks and minor roads.

Public Transport

Murray Road bus stop in Culloden is nearest to start, or the walk can be started from Culloden Visitor Centre which also has a stop.

Start

Culloden Woods car park. Open in Google Maps.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 13.25km / 8.25 miles
Time: 2.5 - 3.5 hours
Ascent: 195m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NH718456

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Accommodation

Walk Description

User reports (5)

Stage 1

The walk begins from the Culloden Woods car park which is signed off Tower Road between Culloden and Westhill. Begin by following the Culloden Forest Walk, which is waymarked in yellow; it soon goes left at each of two forks and then keeps right to reach and cross a bridge over the railway line - there are several different paths that reach this point, but if you follow the yellow markers it is easy to find. Once over the railway continue straight ahead through the forest, going straight across a forest track at one point. At another path junction leave the yellow route and keep straight on to reach St Mary's Well which is visible ahead. This is a clootie well, the well itself being enclosed in the wall; people used to bring rags (called 'cloots') here in the hope that it would bring healing to illness.

Stage 2

Continue past the well, keeping left to a fork to exit the woods at a gate. Follow the path straight ahead towards Blackpark, where it reaches another gate onto a track. Turn right onto the track and then follow it as it immediatley turns left. The track emerges on the busy B9006 road - cross with care and then turn left along the path that runs parallel to it on the far side. Ignore the entrance to Westhill, but turn right at the next track (signed for the Battlefield Trail). The track passes several houses and then continues past a barrier into a young plantation. When you reach a t-junction turn left onto the larger track. Eventually a gate is reached; pass through this and turn left along the lane beyond, then take the next turn on the right - marked as the entrance to Culloden Battlefield.

Stage 3

Follow the surfaced path into the open area, where the last great battle fought on British soil took place in 1746. The Jacobite uprising led by Bonnie Prince Charlie - which reached as far south as Derby the previous year - met its final defeat here when the Jacobite forces were crushed by the Duke of Cumberland's government troops. The Highlands were brutally supressed after the defeat, many lost their lands, and even the wearing of Highland dress prohibited. The battlefield is an atmospheric place, dotted with flags marking troop positions, and memorial stones marking graves. At a cross-paths, continue straight ahead. The path soon leads past the massive cairn which was built by the local landowner in 1881; nearby were the mass graves of many of the Jacobites.

Stage 4

At the next cross-paths go straight ahead once more. The path soon curves right, passing the restored Leanach Cottage - a possible survivor from the time of the battle. It once housed the visitor centre, but is set to open again. From here continue to reach the striking modern visitor centre that blends into the landscape. There's an admission charge to go in, well worth it to discover the true story of Culloden and interpret the battlefield. After visiting, leave through the car park, taking a path that runs alongside the main approach road.

Stage 5

When this reaches a bend take the track off to the right. This emerges onto the B9006 just short of a crossroads and the Culloden Moor inn. Visiting the Clava Cairns is a 3.5km round trip detour from here - to do so, turn right at the road junction. Continue to another cross roads, and go straight ahead along the minor road - there are signs for Clava Cairns. The road descends past Leanach Farm and crosses a bridge over the River Nairn - note the fine Culloden (or Nairn) Viaduct downriver to the left. Continue along the road to the next junction near Clava Lodge - then turn right.

Stage 6

The lane soon leads to a parking area for the Clava Cairns - the cairns themselves are set amidst the beautiful beech trees just beyond. The cairns are one of Scotland's finest prehistoric sites, built to house the dead around 4,000 years ago. There are two cairns with long passageway entrances, and another ring cairn between that seemingly had no way in, as well as many standing stones and minor burials. There are further cairns and remains a short distance further at Milton of Clava if you wish to extend the walk further; otherwise, return to the crossroads by the Culloden Moor Inn.

Stage 7

This time continue ahead towards Balloch - taking a footpath on the right to gain a path that runs through the trees parallel to the road. Further on the path crosses the road and then continues on its left side. Pass the entrance to a new housing development, but continue until a turning on the left that heads towards the Forest School.

Stage 8

Pass the forest school and continue into the trees, now on a track. Keep straight ahead at a junction, continuing until a sign for the 'Prisoner's Stone' indicates a path off to the left - take this path.

Stage 9

Soon the massive Prisoner's Stone is seen on the right. Cumberland's soldiers were said to have lined up 17 Jacobites against the stone and shot them here. Continue on the now peaceful path, which soon bends right. It leads back into the woods and rejoins the outward route near St Mary's Well. Turn right here to retrace your steps from the start of the walk, crossing over the railway line and following the yellow markers back to the start.

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