Travel Review: Culloden Battlefield, Inverness and Inverwere Gardens, Poolewe, Scotland

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IT was perhaps fitting that we chose the day it was decided Scotland could decide on its future – to visit Culloden – the scene of the last battle between England and Scotland.

Prime Minister David Cameron and First Minister Alex Salmond signed an agreement to allow Scots to decide whether to stay or split from the United Kingdom.

And while they were doing that, the Hay clan were begin taken back to April, 1746 when more than 1,200 soldiers were killed in just one hour at Culloden as the Jacobite Army, full of confidence from previous wins, decided to push on and take on the Government Army, only to see a quick and bloody defeat.

Today, the National Trust for Scotland has created a wonderful and informative memorial to Culloden, just outside Inverness. Visitors to the site can witness where it happened, read up on the events leading up and visit the battlefield, plus see the graves of the people who fought, but ultimately lost their battle.

The visitor centre is well equipped with excellent visual and hands on exhibits for young and old alike and the battlefield is a well preserved and fitting place for those who died.

The Hay clan made up of Rebecca and Kenny and children Ruaridh (5) and Flora (3) had headed north to visit their spiritual homeland and try out the wonderful world of camping!

Thankfully the weather was quite kind for October. Cold, but sunny. But we need not of worried if it had not been. We were fully equipped, from wearing a trendy, but serious weather protecting coat from Marmot to camping in a Vango tent, complete with top notch sleeping mats and bags and of course the necessary lantern, we were catered for and well.

For the technical folk, there is a separate section dedicated under the travel review for a proper look at the gear, so check it out or just hit the back button!

But for the tourists among you, we headed from Culloden up to Inverwere and its wonderful gardens. You are nearly at the top of Scotland when you visit this lovely spot.

It’s dubbed a lush tropical oasis perched on the peninsula, at the edge of Loch Ewe. Twenty one acres of stunning gardens. Created in 1862 from scrubland by Osgood McKenzie, the gardens are full of exotic and colourful plants from around the world. Words cannot describe how beautiful it is, you must go and see it and Culloden for yourself!

Culloden Battlefield, Inverness and Inverwere Gardens, Poolewe, Scotland. Log onto www.nts.org.uk for more information on opening times and admission prices.