Culloden artefacts to be unveiled

Blackleaf

Hall of Fame Member
Oct 9, 2004
48,400
1,667
113
Culloden artefacts to be unveiled


The 'king's shilling' was used as a lucky charm

Rare and unseen artefacts from the Battle of Culloden, found during archaeological digs, are to go on show in Edinburgh.

One of the pieces is the 'king's shilling', showing William III, which was a coin issued to troops on the government side of the battle.

It is worn down on one side, suggesting it had been rubbed like a lucky charm.

The free National Trust for Scotland exhibition in the city's Charlotte Square opens on Tuesday.

The Culloden Exhibition also features a selection of items loaned from The Drambuie Jacobite Collection, which will form part of the trust's new interpretation centre at Culloden.

Seized the opportunity

The items on display include a medal that commemorates the capture of Edinburgh, engraved wine glasses used near the time of the battle, a portrait of a Jacobite lady and the 'Holyrood Letter', written by Prince Charles Edward Stuart.

Clare Meredith, head conservator at the NTS said: "The Drambuie Liqueur Company have generously lent nearly 30 items from its famed Jacobite Collection to the trust for us to show in our new visitor centre next year.

"But we've seized the opportunity to show the public most of the items in this summer exhibition.

"The collection includes exquisite - and undamaged - engraved glasses dating from around 1745; a miniature of Bonnie Prince Charlie in a spectacular jewelled frame and a delicate fan which has survived over 250 years in immaculate condition because it's been kept in its original box."

The exhibition runs from Monday to Saturday until 9 September and between 1000 and 1600 BST.


Battle of Culloden



The Battle of Culloden was fought in Scotland on 16th April 1746 between the forces of the Jacobites, who supported the claim of Charles Edward Stuart (aka "Bonnie Prince Charlie") to the throne; and the British army which supported the Hanoverian sovereign, King George II.

Three quarters of the Jacobite Army were Scots and most of those in the British Army were English, although it wasn't a battle between England and Scotland. It was a battle for the Throne.

Culloden was a decisive defeat for the Jacobite cause, and Bonnie Prince Charlie left Britain and went to Rome, never to attempt to take the throne again.

The last battle in Britain, the Battle of Britain, was in 1940/41, but the Battle of Culloden was the last battle to be fought actually on British soil.


news.bbc.co.uk