The battlefield

On the battlefield things usually go well for some but for many others it's much more tragic.  We were reminded of this when we visited the battlefield of Culloden today near Inverness, Scotland.  The national trust has done a great job with the museum (http://www.nts.org.uk/Culloden/Home/).  We had a walking tour of the battlefield with someone from the museum who imparted a great deal of knowledge on this battle that I had never heard of.  The Jacobites were led by Charles Stewart who wanted his father, James Stewart, to have back the throne (as did some others in Scotland).  The English were led by Cumberland.  It was a civil war of sorts with clans fighting on both sides (some fought with the English before and so they stuck with them).  In both camps Welsh, Irish, French and other people were fighting, so it wasn't strictly Scottish vs English.  The Jacobites had some successes but Charles made a strategic move, which turned out to be tragically unsuccessful.  On the night of April 15, 1746 Charles decided they would make a surprise night attack because the English were staying put an extra night and would be celebrating Cumberland's birthday with drinks.  Unfortunately, the boggy swampy terrain proved too difficult for his hungry, tired men and they had to turn around at 2am and head back to their camp.  They only had a few hours rest when the bagpipes rang signaling the enemy.  So the battle began (as a very cool 360 degree movie showed through reenactment- I had to leave before it was over it was so realistic).  The battle lasted less than an hour but in that time 1,500 Jacobites were killed and the rest retreated.  They never had a chance with the 3 lines of the English army totaling 8,000 men and their accurate cannons firing canisters of grapeshot.  The English did lose men too- 200-300- but most died from injuries after the battle.  Take a look at the great museum for more information.  When you look at the pictures below you'll notice stones marking the burials of clansmen.  Someone added those at a later date because he thought people visiting the battlefield should have something to "see".  

After that humbling visit, we spent a short time wandering in Inverness.  Not too much time to explore because it was plan B- plan A got canceled because of roads/bridge that were unfriendly for buses.  Wandering around a couple of shops makes me wish I were a bit Scottish and had a plaid of my own but there were no McKruegers so I'm out of luck : )

Last stop of the day was another distillery.  We were led by a delightful and informative girl (again no pictures because fear of an electrical current which could cause a fire with all the alcohol vapor).  It's interesting to hear about and I did take a sip of one of the whiskeys (picture a grimacing face).  There were others who were happy to partake of my whiskey : )

The red flags represent the English line of soliders

 In the distance you can see the blue flag- that's the line of the Jacobites.

 The stones sticking out represent the 1,500 Jacobites that were killed.  Then there is a flat part in the wall then the stone for the English are sticking out.

Inverness

 Blurry (but pretty) thistle along our drive to the distillery

 The distillery

The tasting room

 There it is- doesn't it look so innocent?

 ONE of the tables after the groups tasting of 3 types of whiskey (scotch)

 We saw this hedgehog in the parking lot.  The alcohol vapors in the air (you can totally smell the difference outside) must have gotten to him because he was walking a bit "higgily, piggily".  We helped him to the grass.