Visitors at one of Scotland’s most significant historical locations are being invited to take part in an archaeological dig at the site of the final Jacobite Rising clash.
In a thrilling quest to uncover secrets from the historical spot that changed the course of history 280 years ago, a week-long dig at Culloden Battlefield got underway this week.
Experts armed with both traditional archaeology tools and cutting-edge technology are peeling back layers of earth to reveal untold stories of the final clash of the Jacobite Rising in 1746.
The excavation is being led by the National Trust for Scotland (NTS), and aims to create a further understanding of the final battle, with volunteers from RAF Lossiemouth and Kinloss Barracks assisting archaeology experts and students from as far away as North America and New Zealand.
Leading the dig is the Trust’s Head of Archaeological Services, Derek Alexander. He is working in collaboration with the Trust’s team at Culloden Battlefield and Professor of Conflict History and Archaeology at the University of Glasgow, Tony Pollard.
Mr Alexander said: “It's always exciting to be working at Culloden Battlefield and so many of the artefacts have great stories to tell.
“Even small-scale pieces of fieldwork can contribute to a better understanding of how the battle unfolded. We are really looking forward to working with Professor Pollard again and to making use of the techniques he has developed and honed at Waterloo.”
For the dig, traditional archaeological methods are being used such as grid-based test pits and metal detecting. Organisers say the dig will be conducted with great care, respecting the site’s solemn history, with it being a designated war grave.
Following a successful dig at Culloden in April, this new excavation is using a recent technique developed while Professor Pollard was working on the grounds of the Battle of Waterloo only weeks ago.
Professor Pollard said: “It’s been nearly 20 years since I’ve worked on the archaeology of Culloden. We made some spectacular discoveries with metal detectors back then, and I’m delighted many of them are on display in the visitor centre.
“It’s exciting to be back, and I’m looking forward to us applying archaeological techniques we’ve developed more recently at Waterloo.
“With this new technique, you detect the surface first then take a mechanical excavator and carefully scrape off a couple of inches at a time. We learned at Waterloo, that the only way to ensure that you’re discovering the most material lying under the surface was to do it this way.”
The professor added: “So far, we have found a lot of material, It has been amazing. Musket balls from both sides, parts of broken muskets and pistols, buttons, you name it.
“What we have recovered is an incredible snapshot of the battle at the point where the Jacobites hit Barrel’s regiment and Munro’s regiment.
“We can even tell the difference between the musket balls as well.
“We’ve got Brown Bess balls from the Duke of Cumberland’s army, and Jacobite musket balls. Jacobite musket balls were different because they were a 0.69 calibre from the French muskets being used; slightly smaller than the Brown Bess which was 0.75 calibre.
“It’s incredible given that these are just balls of lead that we can tell the difference between the size and weight and separate them.”
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The new excavation adds to the collection discovered on the battle site in April this year which uncovered multiple artefacts including a clan chief’s shoe buckle.
The buckle is believed to have belonged to Donald Cameron of Lochiel, the hereditary chief of Clan Cameron who led a 400-strong regiment at the Battle of Culloden.
A staunch Jacobite, he played a key role in the 1745 Rising and marched with his clan regiment to Derby and back.
Despite being wounded at Culloden, he managed to escape to France with Bonnie Prince Charlie in September 1746.
Ellen Fogel Walker, Estates & Conservation Manager at Culloden Battlefield, added: “Working with our Archaeological team over the past four years has uncovered extensive knowledge of the battlefield and its role as a living landscape. Not only have we found material from the time of the battle, but prehistoric and modern material, which shows the continual presence of people here both before and after 1746.”
The dig will resume on Friday 18 October and visitors are being encouraged to book a slot to get involved, to help uncover more artefacts that could provide further insights into the Battle.
Bookings are available online.
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