How to Walk Through Culloden Woods from Culloden Battlefield

Culloden Battlefield Trail: A Peaceful Walk Through Culloden Woods Near Inverness

During my walk from John O’Groats to Lands End I visited Clava Cairns, from there walked to Culloden Battlefield near Inverness and then finished my day by walking back to Culloden Centre through Culloden Woods.

This blog will help guide you if you would like to experience a peaceful woodland walk in Scotland through Culloden Woods from Culloden Battlefield, following a simple and scenic walking route near Inverness.

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Where Is Culloden Battlefield and Culloden Woods?

Culloden Battlefield and Culloden Woods are located in Culloden, just outside of Inverness. You can find Culloden Woods a short walk away from the historic site, which is run by the National Trust for Scotland.

Starting the Walk from Culloden Battlefield

After visiting Culloden Battlefield, you can walk to the start of the Culloden Battlefield Trail which is in Culloden Woods.

Leave the centre and walk down the entrance road, on your right there will be a pedrestian pathway you can use adjacent to the B9006.

This will bring you to a junction and The Battlefield Bar & Restaurant will be on the right. The walk from the centre to the restaurant is half a kilometre (0.3 miles).

At the junction take a left onto Culloden Road, it is then advised to cross the road into the forest as there is a pathway that runs adjacent to the road.

After 1.70km (1.06 miles) of walking down Culloden Road you will see a sign for Culloden Woods on the left hand side of the road.

Continue down this road past the Scottish School of Forestry and you will walk into Culloden Woods.

The walk from Culloden Battlefield to the Culloden Woods is 2.5km (1.55 miles).

Walking Through Culloden Woods

Culloden Wood offers a quiet, sheltered surrounding compared to the open battlefield of Culloden. It certainly has a peaceful and reflective atmosphere after visiting the battlefield.

The woodland path is a mix of dirt track and, depending on the time of year, leaf-covered ground. There are tall trees all around, and make sure to look out for the unusual-shaped ones too.

Once you are in the heart of the woods, there are several smaller trails branching off in different directions.

I took a left and followed the sign to visit the Prisoner Stone.

Prisoners’ Stone

The Prisoners’ Stone is a reminder that in 1746 the battle didn’t just end on the field. Many Jacobite soldiers were captured and detained in the surrounding area.

The stone marks the spot where it is believed Jacobite prisoners were held after the Battle of Culloden, with reports that some were executed here the following day.

The President’s Stone

Further into the woods on Prince Charlie’s Bridge, you can also find the Lord President’s Stone under a tree.

This large boulder is associated with Duncan Forbes, Lord President of the Court of Session, who owned the nearby Culloden House and supported the Government side during the Battle of Culloden.

The stone was his favourite spot to sit and view the Moray Firth.

The stone was later moved in 1855 during the construction of the railway.

The Stones of Culloden

There are a few different stones in and around Culloden, so it’s easy to mix them up.

• Prisoners’ Stone (Culloden Wood): A large boulder located about a mile from the battlefield, where 17 Jacobite prisoners were reportedly shot the day after the battle.
• Duke of Cumberland’s Stone (Culloden Moor): A large boulder where the Duke of Cumberland is said to have watched the battle from, located near the Battlefield Restaurant and Bar.
• Lord President’s Stone (Culloden Wood): A large boulder linked to Duncan Forbes, who is believed to have viewed the area from this spot. It was later moved in 1855 during railway construction.

Route Details: Distance, Time & Difficulty

You can choose to make this a loop walk if you have started at Culloden Battlefield.

However, I was dropped off at Clava Cairns, therefore once in the Culloden Woods made my way back to the Culloden Centre.

This is a gentle walking route near Inverness, suitable for most fitness levels, with a mix of open ground and sheltered woodland paths.

Distance:

• Clava Cairns to Culloden Battlefield and through Culloden Woods: 10.92 km (6.79 miles)
• Culloden Battlefield to Culloden Woods: 2.5 km (1.55 miles)

Time:

• Approximately 4 hours, including time spent walking around Culloden Battlefield
• You can easily spend longer if you wish to explore the battlefield and woodland paths in more detail

Difficulty: Easy

Add Clava Cairns into your Walking Route

Clava Cairns to Culloden Battlefield is a 2.50km (1.55 miles) walk along the road.

Be careful at the bridge crossing the River Nairn as there are no paths and large buses make their journey down to Clava Cairns.

Depending on how much exploring you do the entire walk from Clava Cairns to Culloden Centre can be 11km (6.84 miles).

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Was Outlander Filmed at Culloden Battlefield?

Yes and no, Culloden Battlefield was not used for the battle scenes in Outlander (Season 2 and 3), as it is a protected war memorial. However, the scenes in which Claire and Frank visit the memorial site were filmed at Culloden Battlefield.

The production team recreated the battlefield on private land in Cumbernauld and Greengairs, near Glasgow.

I am a big Outlander fan, however, I think it is important to remember that Culloden Battlefield is a memorial site and must be treated with respect, especially around the Clan graves.

It is a sad situation that parts of the site, including the Clan Fraser grave, have had to be blocked off due to visitors taking selfies amongst the graves.

Once you take a walk around the battlefield, it really does hit you that this is a place where a real-life event took many lives. It brings a different perspective, reminding you that it is not just part of a fictional story in a book or on a TV show.

Where to Stay Near Culloden & Inverness

Watch the Walk on YouTube

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