Last summer I went on a solo trip to Scotland and fell in love with the country. I stopped blogging about it because I found it difficult to express what it all meant to me. And then I saw Brave and realized I had so much more to share.
For those who don't know, the Battle of Culloden marked the breakdown of the Highland culture. Because of the Highlander rebellion against the English, a 'pacification' of the rebellious Highlanders (Jacobites) began and a 'no quarter given' law was instated. After Culloden, kilts, bagpipes, Gaelic, and anything associated with the Highlander way was banned and the majority of the Highland men were killed.
I stayed on Culloden Moor in a bed and breakfast that was a stone's throw from the battlefield. During the day I would walk from my room and roam around the historic site, taking photos and engrossing myself in the poignancy of it all.
After the battle, local Inverness residents came to bury the dead Highlanders in mass graves.
They were buried based upon clan, as indicated by the clan badges they wore.
This is my favorite photo from my time at Culloden. I can imagine the Highlanders in their kilts and colorful tartan, running through the thicket armed and ready to defeat the English.
Their memory lives on.
I'd love to know if you have Scottish blood.
If you do, what's your clan?
For more information about Culloden or the Highland Clans, visit the Culloden Visitor's Center Website.
26 comments:
what do you mean you saw 'brave'-do you mean the film 'braveheart'?
My mums side is McLeod, my dad is McCorckell. but i didn't really like either of those tartans when i was younger, so used to wear Ancient Hunting Colqhoun to school-which is by the by really.
I've a drop of Scottish blood (Ross) but my husband emigrated here to the States from the Glasgow area when we married. =)
I do but don't want to put my surname out in public!
I didn't take my husband name as I was 35 before I married so I had gotten used to my own identity.
Logan and I saw Brave and I was thinking of you and how much you would love the movie. So glad you got to see it. Made me want to visit Scotland. No scottish blood here but I still want to visit. xo
Oh. My. Gosh. Tiffany, these photographs are exquisite (and I love the way you laid them out in this post). My jaw literally dropped at the view from your room - gorgeous!
I don't believe that I have any Scottish blood actually. :/
P.S. I LOVED your comment yesterday. It's weird, but hands are one of the first things that I always notice about people (especially dainty and graceful ones), so I had to smile at your comment! :)
I am marrying into the Clan Drummond (The Drummonds fought at Culloden) however, am not going to be a Drummond but a sept of it, so my future kids will be part Scottish. I secretly love this.
Beautiful photos! I have a girlfriend that moved to Scotland from the states and has never looked back- she loves it there!
As far as Scottish blood - I have a wee, tiny bit from my moms side. Couldn't tell you the clan. :)
PS- Brave ... omg so cute but I needed a box of Kleenex! I brought 2 of my 3 daughters with me, we were all bawling our eyes out, lol.
i know so little about scotland, this was truly interesting! i would love to go someday.
Okay this is embarrassing. I am 1/4 Scottish, but I don't know my clan. my mom's mom was full Scottish and her last name was Chalmers before she married. I'll have to do some research.
I am 1/2 British but not Scottish. I adore Scotland and the view from your room is so beautiful. I love green grass and sheep:) Muah
Such gorgeous photos and thanks for sharing some history. No Scottish blood but I've always wanted to visit. And I definitely want to see Brave :) xoxo
thanks for sharing these, you are making it that much more exciting to get to scotland someday :)
What a heartbreaking battle. I'm so glad you shared this, even if it's difficult to really express the impact, of these events and the country, and you (and the rest of us!).
Tiffany, these photos and this post are beautiful. I have read a little bit about the Battle of Culloden, as it is part of the British History exhibit at a local museum, but I'd never seen the memorial.
My family is mostly German (my dad's side is entirely German, in fact), but there's a pinch of Scottish on my mom's side--just enough that my grandparents' last name is Walker. I don't know if we have any connection to the Walkers of the delicious shortbread, though.
Here in Louisville, the local Scottish Heritage Society (of which my grandfather is a member) holds a yearly Highlands Festival, complete with bagpipes, kilts, jousting, and some sort of knee-judging competition (as in, which man in a kilt has the best knees). We went once when I was ten, and I've always meant to go back--it was so much fun!
wow these are amazing photos!!! what a beautiful place you live!!!!
xoxo, Haus of Gala
guess what? i've never been to culloden! i've been really wanting to go, and now i definitely do!
you should come back and be my tour guide there. :)
No Scottish blood here... which is weird because I'm kind of a mutt actually.
fantastic post and Thanks for sharing this info. It's very helpful.
B&B in Jaipur
what a dream to experience all of these... amazing stories and images.
Just to clarify: When I said 'Brave,' I meant the Disney movie.
there is a new Diney movie based in scotland-cool-didn't know that...will have to check it out. was it any good??
This gave me chills. My grandfather used to tell me stories of our clan (McNichols) and how part of them stayed in Scotland, and part went to England, and changed their name to Nickolls. When we live in London, we're going to have to take a trip there together. :]
Robyn- Yes! I hope you like it!
Hollie- when we live in London we'll have our vacation home in Scotland.
My husband and I went to Scotland for our honeymoon. It's a beautiful country and I can't wait to go back. One of my life goals is to hike the West Highland Way!
Wow. This was really interesting. I am certainly not of Scottish descent, but this was quite fascinating to read, and I enjoyed your descriptions. When I go on trips, I am more and more interested in the historical aspects of a place, more interested in learning about HOW that place came to be and WHY it is so and WHAT, precisely, happened, so many years on ago on that same land that my feet now touch.
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