Culloden Battlefield
Culloden Battlefield
4.5
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
This battlefield marks the site of the historic 1746 battle between the Duke of Cumberland and Prince Charles.
Duration: < 1 hour
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See what travellers are saying
- KarenM1_101,043 contributionsNeed a tour or an audio guide hereI am giving this review a 4 star even though our experience was more of a 3 but that was due to being on a tour. Our Tour Director provided us with an overview of the site on the bus prior to arriving. However, we really needed to have a guided tour or an audio guide once we were out on the battlefield. We simply walked around the area since we had no idea what to look for, so we went back to the Museum, which is very well done. Based on your level of interest you would need between 1-2 hours here.Visited July 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 5 October 2023
- Leonie H79 contributionsCulloden a must...Culloden was fantastic,. The price was reasonable. This is a sad place but well worth going to to find out about some Scotish history. Three battle theatre was great you felt like you were in the battle it self.Visited October 2023Travelled with friendsWritten 14 October 2023
- Dream33617894198Cherry Hill, New Jersey22 contributionsBest tour of Scotland historic battleground - HeatherWhat better way to experience the final battle in Scotland than to visit Culloden Battlefield. Our tour guide, Heather, was nothing but amazing bringing history alive with her descriptions of events, humor to lighten the tour, and her beautiful passion for history of her country. It was definitely worth a visit!Visited October 2023Travelled with friendsWritten 15 October 2023
- Mary BKatikati, New Zealand82 contributionsA Return VisitThis is the second trip to the battlefield of Colloden . On our first trip we were strapped for time . So this time we made sure that we would make more time to learn about the battle and take it all in . We were so pleased that we took time to learn the reason for the battle and how it took place . The Centre was a great way to learn and I purchased a book to read along the way . A wonderful day , we will return another time .Visited May 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 15 October 2023
- Ben TOrmskirk, United Kingdom31 contributionsBrilliant place, really recommendWe visited the museum and did the guided tour of the battlefield with brilliant tour guide Heather. It was a fantastic day, highly recommend it, really interesting historical site. All of the staff were extremely helpful.Visited October 2023Travelled with familyWritten 28 October 2023
- BostonJandPBeverly, Massachusetts189 contributionsA nice museumIf you are into the Jacobite uprising, this is an interesting place to visit. The Battlefield itself is primarily a huge field with some marker showing where the different forces were located. However, the museum does a good job of explaining the whys and wherefores of the complete situation. If you are in the Inverness area, it is worth visiting, but wouldn't go hours out of ones way to see it, unless you are really into the history.Visited September 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 3 November 2023
- MelissaAsbury Park, New Jersey20 contributionsHistoric and beautifulGreat stop on our vacation. Beautiful grounds and a moving part of the history here in Scotland. Gift shop had lots of nice things, but closed early at 4pm. I would've liked to spend more time here next timeVisited November 2023Travelled with familyWritten 7 November 2023
- ryanprintGreen Bay, Wisconsin216 contributionsA must stop for understanding Scottish historyA must stop - one cannot grasp Scotland and make the connection between thousands of years of history and the modern times without making a stop at Culloden. Here is the fork in the road that defined history for the Scots, as they were bravely defeated by the English. The museum is very well done, very interactive with artifacts, visuals, and sounds. Take the time to get a guided tour of the grounds - it really helps you to understand what the Scots were up against , and how a series of mistakes lead to their defeat.Visited April 2023Travelled with friendsWritten 26 November 2023
- HELEN GInverness, United Kingdom86 contributionsWonderful place, so interestingVisited with grandson. Grateful for guidance about taking wee lad into the cinema area. Was extremely moving and atmospheric experience. Exploring the battleground was quite an experience. Even saw Bonnie Prince Charlie and Flora !Visited October 2023Travelled with familyWritten 29 November 2023
- Tatijana PThunder Bay, Canada213 contributionsInformative and educational!We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to the museum and field. Not knowing a lot about the conflict, we found it very informative and the staff attentive and helpful. They often chimed in with fun facts. We walked the field afterwards which was quite cold, so if you’re going in December dress appropriately. We enjoyed a reasonably priced lunch afterwards in the dining area. The soup was excellent!Visited December 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 3 December 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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Cruisinlass
Edinburgh, UK108 contributions
Sept 2020
If you are going during Covid restrictions BOOK in Advance. We only found out when we arrived to visit and had to return another day after we booked a ticket online. Its £11 Adult entry to the visitor centre, although you can visit the gift centre, toilets and cafe free of charge. We were travelling with our dog and due to safety concerns we would never leave our dog in the car. This meant only one of us could visit the exhibition part of the centre. My husband spent an hour there and said it was well worth the £11 entry. We were able to walk through the battlefield site with the dog and it was very good. Please could dog owners pick up after your dogs, you give responsible dog owners a bad name!
Written 13 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hopefam
Methil, UK38 contributions
Feb 2020 • Friends
Visited here whilst on a trip to Inverness for a few days and it was well worth it. I think the admission price was very reasonable and the audio tour is included which was great! The staff were very welcoming and helpful and we particularly enjoyed the mysteries and myths talk where the knowledgeable staff explained some of the myths about the battle and were happy to answer questions. The visitors centre is very educational and I liked that we could make our way round in our own time using the audio tour which also takes you outside onto the battlefield if you wish. This is a must visit for anyone interested in Scottish history, very accessible and engaging.
Written 6 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jayne G
Braintree, UK16 contributions
May 2021 • Family
We pre-booked our tickets for the museum before arrival, however walking round the battlefield is free.
The museum itself is laid out really well, plenty of room if you have a pushchair (which we did) and lots of exhibits and interactive screens for our 4 year old to look at.
Battlefield itself is really interesting to walk around, with maps pointing out various points of interest. The clan stones and cairn were particularly poignant and we enjoyed taking some quiet time to walk around. It was particularly wet the day that we went (in fact the only day of rain in a weeks holiday) so we were glad to have our wellies in the car as they were needed.
The museum itself is laid out really well, plenty of room if you have a pushchair (which we did) and lots of exhibits and interactive screens for our 4 year old to look at.
Battlefield itself is really interesting to walk around, with maps pointing out various points of interest. The clan stones and cairn were particularly poignant and we enjoyed taking some quiet time to walk around. It was particularly wet the day that we went (in fact the only day of rain in a weeks holiday) so we were glad to have our wellies in the car as they were needed.
Written 22 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Exploration818452
Winston Salem, NC41 contributions
Oct 2019
How can one not be touched by the high price the Jacobites paid for their desire for freedom & ruling themselves once again. They were cut down cruely by the thousands & buried in mass graves after days of laying on a cold moor. When one allows the quietude of the place to settle upon you & you fully take in what occurred here you come away changed.
Written 7 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fiona B
Maidstone, UK108 contributions
May 2021 • Family
Culloden Battlefield is free to walk around as is access to the cafe and shop in the visitors centre. The cafe was not doing hot food when we were there, but had a good range of sandwiches, salads, cakes, drinks and home made soup. Tickets are required for the exhibition itself, I booked in advance - if you are a National Trust member ( English or Scottish it is free). The story of the Jacobite uprising and the battle of Culloden itself is told through traditional story boards, interactive personas and a wrap around cinema, from both ‘sides’ with the Government viewpoint on one wall running in parallel with the Jacobite viewpoint on the other, giving a real feel of how events unfurled. We found it really thought provoking. The battlefield was really quiet, not many visitors, seeing the memorial and standing where so many stood and died 275 years ago was quite an experience.
Written 5 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alan W
Portree, UK218 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
Having lived in Scotland all my life and visited Inverness many times, I’ve never had the chance to see Culloden - until yesterday! It was a great day, whilst also making you think, and for me feel. It was a tragic loss of life for both sides, and a perfect storm to cause the exact outcome that happened. I won’t say much more than that, but do go and see it for yourself. The visitor centre with all the information is brilliant, well thought out and displayed; telling the balanced story from each side, cataloguing the errors and small issues/decisions that led to the fateful battle. It also explains that the reasons behind the whole thing are not as clear cut as people might initially think! I also highly recommend the tour of the battlefield. We were given the tour by James and he was a great guide - very engaging and insightful, told us loads of info, and there are things you might miss, so it was definitely worth it. If visiting the Inverness area, go and do this!!
Written 20 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andy L
2 contributions
Aug 2021
Like others, I would strongly recommend taking the guided tour of the battlefield – especially if you are fortunate enough to participate in one led by our guide, Ellen. Her tour was excellent: informative & objective, she provided various different insights into the subject. Most importantly, she presented the battle from the perspective of the individuals fighting it and didn’t fight shy of the human cost. I’m never sure if it is right to enjoy a battlefield tour, but Culloden is an evocative & moving visit, even after all these years – it’s certainly worth doing.
Written 18 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alice K
Bletchley, UK37 contributions
Mar 2020 • Couples
First off I recommend if you can that you visit on a week day. We had been warned it can get pretty busy, even in the winter months, but luckily it was absolutely fine.
The visitors centre itself is very interesting, you can choose to follow the story either from the viewpoint of the government or the Jacobites (or both) and there are some really clever exhibitions (the night battle before sound tunnel and battlefield immersion were both great!)
There were plenty of interesting talks and lots of historical personalities who you could ask questions of.
On to the battleground itself. Make sure you have a sturdy wind/waterproof jacket and go and do the tour, it's completely worth the small donation of £2 per adult.
Massive shout-out to James Ryan who was our guide. Incredibly knowledgeable, enthusiastic and really brought the scene to life. Learnt a lot from him, so thank you very much!
You can go see the clan stones (though the accuracy of them is questionable- James told us they were installed a very long time after the battle) and the memorial.
The simple use of flags to denote front lines is very effective and gives you a real sense of what it must have been like, as well as paying particular attention to the boggy terrain itself.
I wanted to see Culloden as a bit of a history buff, and casual Outlander fan and honestly wasn't expecting it to be so interesting! Both my husband and I really enjoyed the visit.
Personal highlights:
Guided tour of battlefield
Night before battle sound tunnel
Not related at all - but there are 2 lovely Highland Coos just at the entrance who we went and said hello to!
Pro Tip!: If you have an English National Trust Membership you can get into the visitor centre (and all other Scottish national trust sites) for free! That being said all money goes directly back into the site, so it's not such a bad thing if you do have to pay. :)
Go and visit, really interesting few hours.
The visitors centre itself is very interesting, you can choose to follow the story either from the viewpoint of the government or the Jacobites (or both) and there are some really clever exhibitions (the night battle before sound tunnel and battlefield immersion were both great!)
There were plenty of interesting talks and lots of historical personalities who you could ask questions of.
On to the battleground itself. Make sure you have a sturdy wind/waterproof jacket and go and do the tour, it's completely worth the small donation of £2 per adult.
Massive shout-out to James Ryan who was our guide. Incredibly knowledgeable, enthusiastic and really brought the scene to life. Learnt a lot from him, so thank you very much!
You can go see the clan stones (though the accuracy of them is questionable- James told us they were installed a very long time after the battle) and the memorial.
The simple use of flags to denote front lines is very effective and gives you a real sense of what it must have been like, as well as paying particular attention to the boggy terrain itself.
I wanted to see Culloden as a bit of a history buff, and casual Outlander fan and honestly wasn't expecting it to be so interesting! Both my husband and I really enjoyed the visit.
Personal highlights:
Guided tour of battlefield
Night before battle sound tunnel
Not related at all - but there are 2 lovely Highland Coos just at the entrance who we went and said hello to!
Pro Tip!: If you have an English National Trust Membership you can get into the visitor centre (and all other Scottish national trust sites) for free! That being said all money goes directly back into the site, so it's not such a bad thing if you do have to pay. :)
Go and visit, really interesting few hours.
Written 13 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mazzaintazza
London, UK306 contributions
Feb 2022 • Couples
One of the best Visitor Centres we’ve ever been to. Lots of parking, a low-impact building within the landscape, friendly and not pushy staff (compared to NT England where they always try to upsell). Entry is half price right now; what a bargain. We spent 90 minutes in the Centre, learning about the background and events of the battle. Well designed interpretation, original artefacts sit side by side with excellent digital displays give a balanced and thorough telling of the 1746 battle. Then outside to walk amongst the actual fields where the battle took place. Rather moving and very memorable. You can just walk for free but I’d really recommend paying for the Centre experience as well. A top destination for your Highland visit, and suitable for all ages.
Written 13 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fiona P
Glasgow, UK63 contributions
Sept 2020 • Solo
I would definitely recommend visiting Culloden Battlefield but a word of caution to anyone using public transport to get there - go during the week as there is no direct bus there on Sundays. I walked from the nearby village of Balloch where the nearest bus route ends - about a mile uphill to the battlefield through Culloden Wood.
When I got there, the staff were great, really helpful and doing well to keep the visitor centre safe in Covid times.
Book in advance to ensure you get in and you’ll find a comprehensive history of the Jacobite rebellion culminating in the battle in 1746. There’s an immersive filmed reconstruction of the battle itself, which is worth seeing.
There’s a cafe on site offering a limited selection at the moment, but well made nonetheless.
You could spend hours walking on the field itself, conscious all the time that hundreds of men died there during the last battle fought in British soil.
Well worth a visit, perhaps easier to visit by car!
When I got there, the staff were great, really helpful and doing well to keep the visitor centre safe in Covid times.
Book in advance to ensure you get in and you’ll find a comprehensive history of the Jacobite rebellion culminating in the battle in 1746. There’s an immersive filmed reconstruction of the battle itself, which is worth seeing.
There’s a cafe on site offering a limited selection at the moment, but well made nonetheless.
You could spend hours walking on the field itself, conscious all the time that hundreds of men died there during the last battle fought in British soil.
Well worth a visit, perhaps easier to visit by car!
Written 13 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jacqueline L
Monster, The Netherlands
Goedendag.
Wij willen graag over 2 weken Culloden Battlefield bezoeken. We zouden graag een rondleiding willen van een gids (geen audiotour). Is dat mogelijk? En zo ja, dien ik dit van tevoren te boeken?
Hartelijke groeten Jacqueline
Written 18 July 2024
Can you use a small mobility scooter þoget to culloden battlefield
Written 30 August 2022
Sorry I saw buggies and wheelchairs on the paths but did not notice any mobility scooters the battlefield is a mix of wide asphalt paths and grass tracks
Written 4 September 2022
You can take dogs around the battlefield outside but not inside the visitor centre
Written 30 August 2022
My daughter is 16, do i need to get an adult ticket or can I select a one family ticket ? Age is mentionned nowhere on the website.
Thanks
Written 26 July 2022
Hello from Clearwater, Florida!
Is it recommended to purchase tickets in advance? If so, where would one buy them? I did not see how to do so on the web site. Thank you.
Written 9 May 2022
We bought tickets on site.
Written 30 August 2022
Is there public transportation , from Edinburgh , to the site ?
Written 2 March 2022
There is no direct public transport to the site.
Written 2 March 2022
I am looking for a tour of the Culloden site and/or a good tour company . Any recommendations ? Thanks Angus
Written 2 March 2022
The guide to the actual battle field that we had (provided with ticket) was absolutely FABULOUS!
Written 30 August 2022
Can you take your car near the battlefield
Is it a long walk to get to
Written 17 January 2022
There is a large car park which you do have to pay to use, but it isnt very expensive.
The visitor centre is a short walk from the car park, this holds the main exhibition and they have volunteers giving talks etc. Certainly worth a visit.
The battlefield itself can be quite a long walk, but there are opportunities to sit down, and the walk can be as long or as short as you want it to be. My wife has mobility problems, and managed it ok with rest stops. Lovely cafe at the visitor centre which is the start and end of the battlefield walk!
Written 20 January 2022
Are there guided tours that can be booked on the day of your visit at the site? Or is there a separate site at which to book that in advance? If so, where is that? I see a few mentions of great guided tours, but nothing on the official website so I'm a bit confused.
Written 22 September 2020
They announce the times of the battlefield tours and you just gather up and are taken around the battle field (walking) w a guide!
Written 30 August 2022
Hi! I was excited to see that there is a bagpipe event on the day we are planning to go (August 13!) We will be taking the bus and can either get there very early (7:51) or a bit after 9 (9:06) I see the bagpipe event starts at 9, would we miss a lot by taking the later bus? If we do choose to take the early bus and arrive before 8 am, is there anything to do while we wait for the visitor center to open? Is the cafe open that early?
Thank you!
Written 12 July 2019
You could certainly explore the battlefield for a bit. I think it would be especially moving in the early morning quiet!
Written 9 August 2019
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