Photo: My first trip to Scotland, Culloden Moor, November, 2014
Today marks the 275th anniversary of the Battle of Culloden, which happened on April 16, 1746, and as most of us know, effectively ended the Highland culture and way of life in Scotland. I did a piece on this back on the 272nd anniversary, which you should take a look at if you have not: 272: Remembering Scottish Highlanders, and the Battle that Changed Everything.
This year, there have been several events marking the anniversary, not the least of which was a short segment with Alistair Moffat, Historian, on the finale episode of Men In Kilts. I found his account of the recitation of a warrior’s genealogy very moving. I’ve grabbed a small clip from that conversation to share…
On a personal note, I realized for the first time, that my grandmother died on this day, nineteen years ago. I always remember her in April, but this year I looked up the exact date, and it’s today, so I have spent the day remembering her, and thinking about the Battle of Culloden.
I recently had my genealogy done, and was surprised to find out I’m 33% Scottish! I always thought I was mostly Irish and Italian; perhaps that’s why I feel such an affinity for Scotland, and always a profound sadness when leaving.
Inverness Outlanders put together an excellent program for today, including music, lots of history, and an appearance by Diana G…
They also put together a little BTS highlight video of shots they took while Sam and Graham were filming Men In Kilts, at Culloden Moor.
On this the anniversary of the battle of Culloden Thankyou to @InverOutlanders for these great BTS shots when we visited this sacred site. @SamHeughan @MenInKiltsSTARZ @CullodenNTS https://t.co/ACAVKVZIrl
— Graham McTavish (@grahammctavish) April 16, 2021
From Diana…
Urram do na mairbh. (Honor to the dead.) #275thAnniversary #BattleofCulloden https://t.co/HzVBcBfBIt
— Diana Gabaldon (@Writer_DG) April 16, 2021
There will be a full day of activities tomorrow, hosted by Culloden National Trust For Scotland. Go here to see the schedule and tune in live tomorrow: 275th Culloden Anniversary.
I’ll close by sharing The Highland Widow’s Lament – a song written by Robert Burns, published in the Scots Musical Museum in 1796. It is said to be based on the failed rising of 1745 and tells of a woman losing her husband at the Battle of Culloden. (Source @CullodenNTS)
Touching into this brutal time for the Scots makes one grateful for one’s blessings, even during such a tumultuous time. May you have a great weekend. xo
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Thank you Courtney for posting The Highland Widow’s Lament. I thought the last episode of Men In Kilts was verra touching being dedicated to the 275th Anniversary of Culloden. I can’t wait until overseas travel opens again so we can visit.
Have a great weekend
Theresa
Courtney, WOW! I wasn’t expecting to spend more than 5 minutes reading this last night. Was drawn in by the history, interviews, artifacts, music, poetry, and the forever impact of the massacre at Culloden. That battle was over in less time than it took me to read/view all the pieces in this incredible post.
Kudos to the Inverness Outlanders, those two handsome/dashing Men in Kilts, and to you. But we all know this piece of history would never have been on my radar if not for Outlander, Diana’s gift to the universe.
Listening to Alexander Moffat describe the calling of the ancestors reminded me of the Native American Ghost Dance ritual. So many human threads in common. If only we could always focus on those commonalities that uplift us all. I’m throwing that out to the universe.
Amen Ann Marie! Profound observations there. xo
Thankyou for this. I have many ancestors buried there and many escaped and left for Nova Scotia…Jacobites all…lost castles and lands although there are a few left in Scotland, several ones that came back. I visited a couple of times in the 70’s and about 10 yrs ago and it never fails to give a sense of great sadness. The scots and northern Irish were intermixed a lot so no surprise you have Scots in you. When doing research with the Royal academy of England and wandering the highlands finding family information (and weavers) it always felt so comfortable and like being home in a way. I’m so glad outlander has brought so many to appreciate it yet I cannot imagine lots of people when I would go for days and see hardly anyone!