Hidden Treasures

The main focus of our library and antique collections is on late 17th and 18th century Scotland, especially the Highlands. This encompasses the period of the Jacobite uprisings and their aftermath, going into the first half of the Georgian Era. The first Jacobite Rising took place in 1689, after the so-called ‘Glorious Revolution’ of 1688….

Continue Reading

Fairburn Tower – Clan Mackenzie

Fairburn Tower was built in 1545 for Murdo Mackenzie, the 1st of Fairburn. Murdo was ‘a graceful Youth‘ and a Gentleman of the Bedchamber for King James V. ‘ A Gentleman of the Bedchamber’ was a title in the Royal Household used from the 11th century. The duties consisted of assisting the Monarch with dressing, waiting on…

Continue Reading

Butterflies in Salzburg…

If there’s one thing that these last two years have taught me, it’s that life is to be lived as though every day is special. Towards the end of 2021, we spent a full month redecorating and reorganising every inch of our Culloden home. We painted our open-plan living/dining/kitchen area – one large room which…

Continue Reading

Jacobite executions in Inverness…

This old churchyard in Inverness was a place of Jacobite executions after the Battle of Culloden. Come take a walk with us through the graveyard to learn more… If you’d like to learn more about Scottish history, then come and join us on one of our Virtual Tours listed below: The Culloden Experience: Virtual Tour…

Continue Reading

Bonnie Prince Charlie’s last meal at Culloden House and the life of Thomas the Pewterer…

On 14th April 1746, two nights prior to the Battle of Culloden, Bonnie Prince Charlie enjoyed a lavish meal at Culloden House. In attendance were several Lords, Clan Chiefs, French Commanders and Officers of the Irish Picquets. They gathered around the grand dining table, which was covered in fine tableware belonging to Duncan Forbes, 5th…

Continue Reading

Clootie Well, Culloden Woods

In the heart of Culloden Woods, just a short distance from the Battlefield is a walled Clootie Well known as St. Mary’s well. It sits on the ‘Culloden Battlefield Trail’ which runs through Culloden Woods. The Woods are located between the Battlefield and Culloden House. What is a Cloot? Well, traditionally, a piece of cloth…

Continue Reading