It’s the Highland Clearances all over again ...
Jacobites turfed off Culloden Battlefield
IT was the last pitched battle on British soil, the bloody but brief confrontation on Culloden moor where the Jacobite army of Bonnie Prince Charlie was routed in less than an hour by musket and cannon. Almost 300 years later, however, the last two Jacobites standing were forced to flee the field in a health and safety row with the National Trust for Scotland over their replica weapons.
Twice a month for the last decade, patriotic pensioners Ed and Sandy Hastings – from Canada, but proud and adopted Scots – have taken to the Inverness battlefield in their full Jacobite costumes, showing off their homemade weapons. There they entertain tourists, pose for photos and tell tales of Bonnie Prince Charlie, the King Over The Water, and his claims to the thrones of Scotland, England, France and Ireland.
But the couple has been left reeling thanks to an NTS manager – the trust owns the site – who interrupted them mid-story and forced them off the field.
The Scottish conservation body says it is simply clamping down on visitors taking weapons to the battlefield. Sandy, a retired seamstress, and her husband Ed, a former postman, both 65, told the Sunday Herald they couldn’t quite believe what had happened.
The NTS has its own Culloden Experience, including an immersive film, where visitors are put at the centre of the action, and tours of the battlefield. The original Old Leanach Cottage – which stood on the battlefield in April 1746 – is today home to tartan paraphernalia and helpful staff selling memorabilia.
Sandy Hastings said: “People come over to the cottage [where the couple stands] and get photos, we show them everything. And they’re happy, it’s a good experience. We don’t take money. They tend to donate to the National Trust inside,” she said.
“We’d already been hour, standing outside, and my husband was standing there explaining all the weapons, showing them everything. This woman comes out of nowhere and said ‘do you have written consent from the National Trust’, and I said no, and she said ‘well you have to leave immediately’.
“I was absolutely fuming. I didn’t want to cause a big thing because you had all the tourists standing around. Talk about Highland clearances all over again here,” she added.
The couple moved to Scotland from Canada after Ed discovered his long-lost father was Scottish. Since then, the Hastings in their full regalia have been a regular sight at historic sites, re-enactments and even around the streets of Inverness.
There’s been something of a global crackdown on costumed characters in tourist hotspots of late – including clowns, obviously.
In April this year, after tourist complaints of overly aggressive desnudas (painted topless women), Elmos and superheroes, New York City Council set out strict rules for the costumed characters of Times Square.
A National Trust for Scotland spokeswoman said there had been no change in policy but its crackdown was more to do with the weapons being bandied about. “Culloden is a very popular site for visitors and we appreciate the passion that it inspires among history enthusiasts.
“As the owners and operators of this important site, the trust takes the safety and enjoyment of visitors seriously. Third parties bringing replica weapons on site causes a particular problem, because we cannot be confident that they have the appropriate training or insurance in place.”
But hundreds of weapon-wielding Jacobites will descend on Culloden next April for the anniversary of the battle.
NTS confirmed to the Sunday Herald this would not be affected and that it had been working with the organisers.
I was absolutely fuming. I didn’t want to cause a big thing because you had all the tourists standing around. Talk about Highland clearances all over again here