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Culloden Tales: Stories from Scotland's Most Famous Battlefield
Culloden marked the end of clan culture and was the harbinger of the Highland Clearances. It ensured the inevitability of the American Revolution and increased the outpouring of Scots across the globe. It is the only battle that British Army regiments are not permitted to include in their battle honors; the only battle that Bonnie Prince Charlie ever lost; and the only battle that the Duke of Cumberland ever won. Culloden is a battlefield, a graveyard, and an iconic site that draws people from all parts of the world. They bring with them their stories and their father's father's stories—stories of civil war, of love, and even of the supernatural. They are peopled by the second-sighted, by clan chiefs and by others who have kept family secrets for centuries. The battlefield is resonant with past deeds and emotive memories. These tales are offered as a unique record to the power of the place.
224 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
April 16, 2018
This book is a fun collection of short stories about Culloden, the last battle fought on English soil back in 1746.
A couple of messages come through clearly in this book. History is written by the winners, so to provide balance this book is clearly sympathetic to the losers. If you know anything about British history you might think Culloden was between Bonnie Prince Charlie, or the Scots, and the Duke of Cumberland, or the English. This book looks at it differently and more as the last gasp of a long drawn out civil war between the supporters of the Stuarts and the Hanoverians.
To support that perspective the stories in the book illustrates that there were Highland Scots, Lowland Scots and English on both sides in large numbers. Further, some of the stories show the religious side of the wars as being between Presbyterian and Episcopalian Protestants. And finally, there is the perspective that Bonnie Prince Charlie’s side was itself divided between those who were fighting to unite Britain under the Stuarts, those who wanted a separate but equal kingdom of Scotland, and those who wanted independence for both Scotland and Ireland.
If all that sounds too dry, it’s not. The stories cover the heartbreak and despair of civil war through to drinking stories of then and today, and even ghost stories that surround the battlefield.
The stories themselves are gathered from the authors experience as a guide and docent on the battlefield dealing with tourists, locals and families come to pay their respects. If you want a novel look at a familiar aspect of British history this will while away a few enjoyable hours.
A couple of messages come through clearly in this book. History is written by the winners, so to provide balance this book is clearly sympathetic to the losers. If you know anything about British history you might think Culloden was between Bonnie Prince Charlie, or the Scots, and the Duke of Cumberland, or the English. This book looks at it differently and more as the last gasp of a long drawn out civil war between the supporters of the Stuarts and the Hanoverians.
To support that perspective the stories in the book illustrates that there were Highland Scots, Lowland Scots and English on both sides in large numbers. Further, some of the stories show the religious side of the wars as being between Presbyterian and Episcopalian Protestants. And finally, there is the perspective that Bonnie Prince Charlie’s side was itself divided between those who were fighting to unite Britain under the Stuarts, those who wanted a separate but equal kingdom of Scotland, and those who wanted independence for both Scotland and Ireland.
If all that sounds too dry, it’s not. The stories cover the heartbreak and despair of civil war through to drinking stories of then and today, and even ghost stories that surround the battlefield.
The stories themselves are gathered from the authors experience as a guide and docent on the battlefield dealing with tourists, locals and families come to pay their respects. If you want a novel look at a familiar aspect of British history this will while away a few enjoyable hours.
June 13, 2018
“Culloden Tales” is full of trivia, history, and supernatural visitors at Drummossie Moor, the site of the Battle of Culloden on April 16, 1746 — the last battle fought on British soil, which led to the destruction of the Highland way of life. This battle is well portrayed in the “Outlandet” novels and TV series.
Written by a man who works at the historical site, the most interesting quarter of the book was about the various stories brought to the information desk by visitors, many from North American descendants of the clansmen who participated in the battle. I also liked the “ghost” stories told.
If you are a serious student of the Jacobite cause, you will learn nothing new. If you are suffering through “Droughtlander,” waiting on Season 4, this gossipy book might help during your wait.
Written by a man who works at the historical site, the most interesting quarter of the book was about the various stories brought to the information desk by visitors, many from North American descendants of the clansmen who participated in the battle. I also liked the “ghost” stories told.
If you are a serious student of the Jacobite cause, you will learn nothing new. If you are suffering through “Droughtlander,” waiting on Season 4, this gossipy book might help during your wait.
August 10, 2016
Not all tales were interesting but overall quite an okay collection.
November 22, 2023
When I visited Scotland earlier this fall, I happened to be sick on the day our tour group went to see the Culloden battlefield site near Inverness, Scotland. So I stayed at the hotel and didn't get to view the site of the last battle fought on British soil. Reading this book was my attempt to grasp a little bit of what I missed out on that tour. The book, written by a man who works at the Culloden Visitor Centre, does provide a portrait of the participants in the battle and what they experienced. It conveys this by using stories collected both by historians and from visitors to the battlefield researching their own past. But after finishing reading the book, I realized it should have been more of a supplement, to be read after reading a more traditional account of the Jacobites and the '45 uprising. Still, it contains some great stories and I'm glad I took the time to read it.
May 24, 2018
The premise of this book, to tell stories of love, battle, even the supernatural that are related to the famous battle, is great but the book does not live up to its promise. Instead of individual tales, the book is a series of short essays related to the history of the region of which the battle takes up about 1/3 of the book. These essays are not bad and actually may make up a good way to study the battle for someone who has previous knowledge of the history and terrain. However, for someone looking to learn about the battle it makes for a disjointed and confusing read.
June 16, 2019
Clearly, I should have chosen a different book for my first exploration of the battle in book form. I'm sure I would have gotten a lot more out of this one if I already knew more about it. Oh, I know some things, and I certainly know the Outlander version (and am quite aware that that version is as lacking as Diana Gabaldon's version of Bonnie Prince Charlie). I can't believe I never visited the battlefield in my two trips to Scotland. It would be wonderful if I can walk the battlefield if I ever get back.
August 18, 2023
Well written account of the history surrounding Culloden and also accounts from people with a connection to the battle. First half of book hard to get through, but it is well worth persevering in order to get a great deal of information about this tragic occurrence. I wish I had had more time at Culloden, but will just have to go back someday!
August 27, 2025
Very interesting. I particularly enjoyed the third part of the book, which details stories that visitors from all over the world have brought to the Culloden battlefield about their ancestors, tales that have been passed down father to son, mother to daughter throughout the centuries. It's amazing to think about how the outcome of one day in history had such rippling effects.
January 4, 2018
After visiting Culloden Battlefield and meeting the author himself, I had to read! Hugh takes you from the beginning of its geological formation and the Celt history and then through first-hand accounts of the battle of the '45 and beyond. By "beyond" I also mean its ghostly realm.
April 7, 2018
Get down in the weeds of the Culloden Battlefield
Very interesting but more for the aficionado of the Jacobite Rebellion. The individual stories were interesting, but hard to tie them together into a comprehensive understanding. I was still glad I read it.
Very interesting but more for the aficionado of the Jacobite Rebellion. The individual stories were interesting, but hard to tie them together into a comprehensive understanding. I was still glad I read it.
January 3, 2019
Written in such a way that I just couldn't put the book down once I started it. So I sat up until 3 in the morning to finish it.
A great collection of history and stories passed on through the generations. Well worth a read if you have an interest in Culloden and the Jacobite cause.
A great collection of history and stories passed on through the generations. Well worth a read if you have an interest in Culloden and the Jacobite cause.
January 27, 2020
This was fascinating! Having been to Culloden myself, the experience changes you. It's a heavy place, and you can feel it as soon as you step onto the dirt. That these stories come up doesn't surprise me in the slightest.
March 31, 2018
Quite an interesting book about different aspects of Culloden.
May 2, 2018
More historic than spooky
This is a good compendium of stories, though I had expected more ghost stories. I liked the history through time presented, though it was brief.
This is a good compendium of stories, though I had expected more ghost stories. I liked the history through time presented, though it was brief.
October 10, 2019
a very powerful read
i wish i read it while i was walking around the battlefield
i wish i read it while i was walking around the battlefield
December 2, 2022
A wonderful book, I thoroughly enjoyed the tales told by Hugh Allison!
June 12, 2023
A really interesting book with true testimonies from various clans' descendants. I loved its concept.
July 25, 2018
An OK book. Simon Fraser of Lovat was a real person in the Outlander books! Also, Culloden was about Episcopalianism vs. Presbyterianism.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 28, 2008
I heard my first account of Culloden some 45 years ago. It was not an inaccurate account,just a proudly partisan account from the perspective of Clan Cameron participation on the losing side.
This book is not an history of Culloden. It is a collection of tales: about the place itself, the events leading to the battle and its aftermath. A kind of oral and physical history with an overlay of fact.
For those interested in learning more about Culloden, there is a good select bibliography.
This book is not an history of Culloden. It is a collection of tales: about the place itself, the events leading to the battle and its aftermath. A kind of oral and physical history with an overlay of fact.
For those interested in learning more about Culloden, there is a good select bibliography.
November 5, 2015
This is a well-written book full of fascinating biographies, personal stories, and tales of inexplicable events at Culloden. Mr. Allison knows the battlefield back to front and answered many of my questions.
November 8, 2016
Not your average book of 'tales'. Most of them were super interesting, quite a lot were poignant and you got to feel for a lot of characters. The author/collater did a good job conveying emotions and experiences - even humour- which quite often these story collections lack.
September 16, 2015
very interesting and nice :)
November 17, 2015
Great little book with history and stories about Scotland's battle site. I like the individual stories the best. It's a mystical place with a brutal history.
December 2, 2016
3.5. Interesting to read about after visiting there.
June 13, 2018
Very well written book about Culloden which really helps you understand this battle in the context of what was going on in Britain at the time. I enjoyed both the parts of the book which dealt with the history of Jacobite movement before the battle as well as the battle itself. But I also enjoyed the parts dealing with people's personal experiences visiting the battlefield and family stories about the battle. I read this just prior to visiting Culloden in Scotland. It enhanced my experience there.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews