Trusts join forces to explore complexities of the Battle of Culloden

The National Trust for Scotland and the National Trust have teamed up to give an insight into the complexity of the Battle of Culloden in a pair of podcasts this April.

Article Source: The National Trust for Scotland
Last Updated: 15 April 2025 11:12

In a unique link-up, both conservation charities are dedicating an episode of their popular podcasts to explore two of the key figures of the battle which ended the Jacobite claim on the British throne.

The National Trust for Scotland’s Love Scotland episode, hosted by Jackie Bird, explores the fascinating story of Lord George Murray with guest, historian and National Trust for Scotland Trustee, Professor Murray Pittock.

Meanwhile the National Trust will focus on the story of James Wolfe, whose childhood home Quebec House in Kent is in its care, and who was a critical player in the Government army at the battle.

The episodes are released around the anniversary of the Battle of Culloden. The battle took place on 16 April 1746 and was part of a civil war that would decide the ruler of Great Britain and ultimately have a global impact. It saw over 1,500 lives lost in the space of an hour.

Annually more than 250,000 visitors come to the battlefield, which is in the care of the National Trust for Scotland, the conservation charity that cares for, shares and speaks up for Scotland’s heritage.

National Trust for Scotland President and Love Scotland Presenter Jackie Bird said: “The Battle of Culloden is one of the most enduring events in Scottish history, and all these years later there is still so much to learn. Professor Pittock’s insights into the role of Lord George Murray and his difficult relationship with Charles Edward Stuart give us a sense of these historical figures as real people, with complex motivations. I hope this pair of podcasts will help listeners appreciate the personalities involved and their importance alongside the politics, tactics and legacy of the battle.”

Michelle Douglass, Senior Podcast Producer, National Trust said: "People love history podcasts because these are stories that tell us something bigger about the human condition. There are all sorts of points of views and angles to how we tell our histories. Working with the National Trust for Scotland is the first time we’ve explored this kind of story-telling opportunity: to bring listeners history from two different perspectives. They’ll get a deep dive into the Battle of Culloden – the people involved; the build up, what happened at battle and what it meant for Britain. It’s a unique treatment of a pivotal moment of our past."

The National Trust for Scotland’s Love Scotland episode on Lord George Murray will be released on Friday 18 April.

The National Trust’s episode on James Wolfe is released on Monday 30 April.
Listen and subscribe to Love Scotland from the National Trust for Scotland and Back When from the National Trust on Apple & Spotify.

2025 marks the 279th anniversary of the Battle of Culloden and the 100th year that the Gaelic Society of Inverness have been commemorating the event. The commemoration service will take place on Saturday 19 April. The event begins at 10.30am with a procession starting at the Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre and ending at the memorial cairn where the service takes place from 11am until 12 noon.

Inside the visitor centre, costumed presentations will take place over the weekend including Clach An Airm, the story of a Clan as they prepared for battle, and Fight like a Highlander, where visitors can discover what it was like to fight with a basket-hilted broadsword on the field at Culloden. As part of the Christopher Duffy Memorial Lecture series on Saturday 19 April at 1:30pm, Dr Darren Scott Layne and Dr Arran Johnston will share insights into the Jacobite uprising using data and eyewitness testimony.

Tickets are available via www.nts.org.uk/culloden

Image: Murray Pittock and Jackie Bird

Got a story to share? Send us an email at hello[@]whatsonnetwork.co.uk

Latest Glasgow News

ASN sessions to be held at Winter Wonderland Glasgow Green

Dedicated ASN sessions are to be hosted at Glasgow's Winter Wonderland at Glasgow Green to enable families in need of support to have a festive day out.

77th Glasgow (Disabled) Scouts awarded with highest honour given to volunteer led groups

The 77th Glasgow (Disabled) Scouts has been recognised with The King's Award for Voluntary Service 2025, the highest honour for volunteer-led groups in the UK.

Topgolf celebrating 25 years of fun with a week of deals and prizes

Topgolf's journey started in Watford at the turn of the millennium and has since grown into a global enterprise with more than 100 venues worldwide.

The Doddie Weir match ball delivery is voted Greatest Murrayfield Moment

Doddie Weir’s emotional match ball delivery at Murrayfield in 2017 has been voted the greatest moment in the stadium’s 100-year history, after thousands of fans took part in a nationwide poll.

Glasgow Fort unwraps festive celebrations

Christmas magic is set to return to Glasgow Fort on Thursday 20th November as the centre unveils its seasonal line-up!

Global fashion brand Stradivarius opens first Glasgow store at Silverburn

Scotland's leading retail and leisure destination, Silverburn, opens Glasgow's first-ever Stradivarius store, further elevating its fashion offering.

Boney M ft Maizie and Newton Faulkner join Fun For Life Fest lineup

Boney M featuring Maizie Williams are set to co-headline the Fun For Life Fest on Saturday 16 May 2026, with Newton Faulkner also joining the line up.

Trafalgar Entertainment becomes official sponsor of Box Office Radio

Global live entertainment company – Trafalgar Entertainment – has become the official sponsor of Box Office Radio.

New book launches in Busby by local author, Marissa McCudden

Debut author, Marissa McCudden, has launched her new book, 'There's Lots of Different Types of Clever' with illustrator, Michael Spy on Amazon.

Much loved classic Scottish play, The Steamie, is set to return to venues in 2026

The Steamie has been scrubbed up ahead of making a return to theatres across the country next year as part of an exciting new chapter in its long-standing story in the theatre landscape.

Medea to tour Scotland in 2026

Bard in the Botanics will be launching their 25th Anniversary year with a Scotland-wide tour of their award-winning version of Medea, by Kathy McKean (after Euripides).

The Ivy Buchanan Street unveils festive set menu for 2025

From traditional Turkey Ballotine to a tangy Tamarind Beetroot & Endive Salad the festive set menu brings the best of festive flavours, reimagined by The Ivy across two or three courses.

Glasgow will shine bright this Christmas with a new city centre lighting trail

Glasgow's Christmas lights are a much-loved tradition, and this year they will shine brighter than ever with a brand-new Christmas lighting trail set to illuminate the city centre from 20 November!

KOCHCHI expands to Glasgow, bringing Sri Lankan heat to the West End

The West End will welcome KOCHCHI, the award-winning Sri Lankan street food brand, as it opens its first standalone restaurant in the former The Hanoi Bike Shop on Ruthven Lane.

Imagine Theatre prepares for an exciting season of pantomimes across Scotland

Imagine Theatre proudly presents a spectacular lineup of family pantomimes across Scotland bursting with laughter, music, sparkle, and dance starring some of Scotland's best-loved entertainers!

Marti Pellow stars as Scrooge in a major new musical production coming to Glasgow in 2026

The pop prince and former frontman of Wet Wet Wet realises his life-long dream of bringing the iconic Christmas Carol character to life on a major stage!

Behind the Beans: Cast of Pavilion Panto, Jock and the Beanstalk, visit the oldest sweet shop in Glasgow

The cast of much-anticipated Pavilion panto Jock & the Beanstalk were spotted out and about at the Barras this afternoon, with a visit to Glickman's to sample their famous jelly beans!

Step into the magic at Dobbies Garden Centres

Dobbies Garden Centres has a fantastic line up of Santa’s Grotto and Quiet Grotto experiences, with an exciting North Pole adventure inspired theme, running from 23rd November - 24th December.

Tesla Cybertruck lands at Silverburn... come and see the future

Glasgow EV enthusiasts are in for a treat this week as the famous Tesla Cybertruck has arrived at Silverburn, Scotland’s leading retail and leisure destination.

Scottish Ensemble announce projects for Spring and Summer 2026

Scottish Ensemble, a pioneering collective of musicians championing music for strings, announces its series of events for Spring/Summer 2026.

Glasgow Film Festival reveals first titles for 2026

Scotland's biggest film festival has confirmed its highly anticipated Retrospective Programme, which gives audiences the chance to catch classic films back on the big screen for free.

Sir Billy Connolly award applications open for Glasgow International Comedy Festival 2026

Glasgow International Comedy Festival has opened applications for its prestigious Sir Billy Connolly Spirit of Glasgow Award with acts, venues and staff in 2026's festival encouraged to apply now.

Flight Club Launches BRAND NEW Game Inspired by a Party Classic

This week, Flight Club, the lively cocktail and Social Darts bar, is launching a brand-new game, available to play in all venues for the first time on Friday, 14th November.

SEC Glasgow at 40: Four decades of creating incredible

For four decades the Scottish Event Campus (SEC) has stood at the centre of Scotland’s cultural life, attracting world-class shows, artists, major events and conferences to Glasgow.

Aldi Scotland is turning up the Christmas cheer with its first ever festive Supermarket Sweep

Aldi Scotland is giving one lucky customer the chance to take part in a seasonal edition of its popular shopping challenge, all while raising vital funds for Children's Hospices Across Scotland.

Glasgow Taxis Cup returns for its 21st year in 2026

Now in its twenty-first year, Glasgow Taxis Cup, will see more than 700 student athletes from Glasgow Caledonian, Strathclyde, and Glasgow universities competing across 17+ sports in 21+ events!

Hidden treasures of Murrayfield

Murrayfield heritage lead Laura Tinch reveals hidden collection of 5,000 artefacts charting a century of Scottish rugby history.

Christmas Songbook to take festive cheer to Glasgow

Scotland's iconic Christmas Songbook is back for 2025, promising to sprinkle even more festive magic in Glasgow this December!

Breaking the Silence Gig: Last Minute Tickets available for Oran Mor

Last-minute tickets are still available for JJ “Jinky” Gilmour’s Breaking the Silence show at Oran Mor on Thursday 27th November.

Santa clocks in early: Scotland shift heroes among 30,000 invited to claim free festive meal

Greene King pubs is raising the spirits of Scotland's hardest workers this festive season, hosting 'The Big Christmas Shift' across 700 pubs nationwide, giving away 30,000 meals on Monday 1st December

Popular Listings

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum King's Theatre Glasgow King Tut's Wah Wah Hut O2 Academy Glasgow SEC Armadillo Theatre Royal Glasgow The Pavilion Theatre Glasgow The Glasgow Barrowland Ballroom The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall The OVO Hydro

Trusts join forces to explore complexities of the Battle of Culloden

The National Trust for Scotland and the National Trust have teamed up to give an insight into the complexity of the Battle of Culloden in a pair of podcasts this April.

Sponsored Links

Latest Glasgow News

Sponsored Links

Sponsored Links

Popular Events

Popular Listings