Friday, April 16, 2010

Battle of Culloden


April 16, 1746, the Scots lost their right to wear tartan and almost 2000 men died within 40 minutes. The English wanted the land for sheep, which was more profitable. The Battle of Culloden was fought 271 years ago today. Bonnie Prince Charlie was up against the Duke of Cumberland, known as "the butcher", fighting for the survival of Scotland.

The only other memorial cairn commemorating that battle exists here in Nova Scotia at a tiny community called Knoydart near Antigonish. Many displaced Scots moved to Nova Scotia to start new lives after the fallout and each year a service is still held here to honor their fallen ancestors.

Here is a youtube clip of Makem and Clancey singing Sound the Pibroch

8 comments:

Melanie (lifeofmytime) said...

I visited the battlefield in 2007. A powerful experience. Here's a photo I took of the Clan Donald headstone.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=674267&l=3c49142270&id=506600032

aliceinparis said...

Melanie, A touching picture. Culloden really is a very sad place.

Jeanne said...

Very lovely

Natalie Joan said...

Dave & I also visited, in 2008. I had relatives on either side of the battle (as most did, I guess), making it a solemn and eerie visit.

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

That was such a violent era in history for both Scotland and Ireland. Very sad, There should be a memorial in Scotland but I'm glad there is one in NS.

ruma said...

Scenes of the Nature are really grand.
It seems to spread through my very front immediately.

Thank you for showing beautiful landscapes.

Your photography is very splendid.

Happy weekend.

From the Far East.
Best regards.
ruma

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

My ancestors were on that field. I shall raise a glass in their honour tonight.

wishing you a lovely weekend!

Tamara said...

I've just been reading about it (historical fiction-like) in the Diana Gabaldon books.

I don't find history interesting unless I'm reading about it this way... something about the people and characters...

I'm into Voyageur now.