Clan Fraser attraction at Culloden sealed off due to public damage

A “pilgrimage” site for Outlander fans at Culloden Battlefield has been sealed off to the public after it succumbed to the pressure of rising visitor numbers.

The Clan Fraser stone at the historic battlefield has become a key stop-off for fans of the book and spin-off television series – many on Outlander-themed tours – who are keen to tick off Highland landmarks with links to story. Clan Fraser is one of the key families in the Outlander story, with lead character Jamie Fraser fighting for the Jacobites at Culloden.

Nowthegravemarker,which marks real grave pits dug deep beneath the battlefield, has been cordoned off as the ground becomes eroded, raising concerns about how heritage sites linked to Outlander are conserved amid rising visitor numbers.

Last year the site’s owners, National Trust for Scotland, sought scheduled monument consent to repair the ground. It now appears these works have not been adequate to deal with the problem, with talks ongoing with Historic Environment Scotland to find a suitable solution.

Raoul Curtis-machin, National Trust for Scotland’s operations manager at Culloden, said: “The area around the grave markers had been suffering wear and tear because visitors had been walking off the main footpath to take a closer look at the stones.

“Worst hit recently is the area around the Fraser Stone, which has become a site of pilgrimage for Outlander fans.

“Last year this was not really an issue because the ground stayed hard in the dry weather, but this year it has become very muddy with the heavy rain. Visitors still have full access to the whole area – we have just cordoned off the worst patch immediately in front of the Fraser Stone.

“We will be top-dressing and re-seeding the area in the meantime, according to the Scheduled Ancient Monument consent which has been granted, and we are exploring other solutions.”

Last year a 28 per cent increase in visitor numbers was recorded at the Culloden visitor centre, with the “Outlander effect” said to be driving the rise.

Andrew Mckenzie, a former manager at Culloden Battlefield, said conservation had to be key.

“Often when I am doing tours of the battlefield, you see big groups of people going through the car park, standing around the stone and then leaving things on top of it, which in itself is not great, and then disappearing off the site directly back on to the bus.

“That is a new thing that seems to be developing and it is unfortunate for all parties involved.”