Highlands & Islands

THE Highlands and Islands contain some of Scotland’s most iconic and best loved places – from snowcapped peaks to rugged coastlines. Holidays in the Highlands offer a feeling of wilderness and panoramic views that are truly unforgettable.

TAKE A WALK THROUGH HISTORY AT CULLODEN

AS autumn rusts the heather, now is a great time to visit the battlefield of Culloden, near Inverness.

It was here, on April 16, 1746, that the final Jacobite Rising came to a brutal head. The Jacobites hoped to restore the Stuart monarchy and faced the Duke of Cumberland’s troops. The battle was devastating – around 1,600 men died in less than an hour. Nearly all of them were Jacobites.

This tragic day marked the end of the Jacobite movement and a shift in the history of Scotland.

Visitors to this historic place never fail to be moved. Our visitor centre uses a blend of technology and archaeology to bring the history of the battle to life.

Items include the Brodie Sword with images of dolphins and Medusa on its hilt – as well as more commonplace objects such as musket balls and a delicate pewter cross.

Between October 1 and February 28, our visitor centre is open from Wednesday to Sunday.

After a walk through the battlefield to visit the clan monuments you can warm up in the café. There’s also a chance to purchase mementos, such as heather and even a single malt Scotch whisky to take a taste of Culloden home with you.

While you’re walking the battlefield, keep an eye out for the conservation work our dedicated team are doing to preserve it for generations to come. You may also see our special grazing team – our Highland coos, along with 12 Shetland cattle, six primitive goats and two Highland ponies, play a key role in looking after the battlefield.

As Raoul Curtis-Machin, operations manager at Culloden, explains: ‘Our grazers are doing exactly what we want them to: eating the birch, willow and rowan scrub and helping to keep the battlefield looking like it should. This means that we can control the vegetation growth whilst keeping the use of machinery and chemicals to a minimum.’

Culloden is truly an important place to many from around the world for many reasons. A visit there lingers long in the memory.

Discover more about the Battle of Culloden and plan your trip at www. nts.org.uk

AUTUMN AND WINTER WILDLIFE WATCHING

SCOTLAND can be a remarkable place to see some rare and spectacular sights, including fantastic wildlife. And as the seasons change, it’s a great time to go looking for some of Scotland’s favourite animals.

The National Trust for Scotland works to protect the habitats that are home to all kinds of animal and plant communities.

Through careful monitoring and conservation efforts many amazing creatures can be spotted at National Trust for Scotland sites, if you look carefully enough.

Take a cool weather safari through Scotland’s beautiful countryside and try to spot each of the ‘Big

Five’: red squirrels, red deer, golden eagles, otters and harbour seals. Spotting all five is the ultimate achievement for wildlife enthusiasts