Culloden Wood

Folklore and history hidden among the trees

The Battle of Culloden was fought on Wednesday April 16th 1746. The Prisoners’ Stone remains as a grim reminder, where Government troops shot 17 Jacobite prisoners on the day after the battle.

Nearer to the car park, the Lord President’s Seat is dedicated to the local laird Duncan Forbes who helped the Government side.

St Mary’s Well is an older site, a traditional clootie well. Dipping a cloot (rag) in the well and tying it to a tree is said to bring good luck. Please choose biodegradable material for your cloot!

There is also a longer Culloden Battlefield Trail, which explores the whole battlefield area. Look out for the interpretive benches situated around the route.

Walking trails

Culloden Wood route card (PDF)

Walking

Culloden Wood Trail

Discover the forest's battlefield landmarks and pagan traditions at the infamous Prisoner’s Stone and St Mary’s Well, a local ‘clootie well’.

Mostly wide, uneven gravel and earth surface. Some steep slopes. Parts may be muddy after rain.

2 ¼ miles / 3.6 km

Allow 1 ½ hours

More information

Look out for the scraps of cloth (cloots) in the trees around St Mary's Well. There are wells like this all over Britain, where people leave a token and hope to have a wish come true. You can find another at Munlochy Clootie Well.

Facilities and access

Ancient monument

Walking

Parking

Life's essentials

You'll find places to eat in Smithton village, just next to the forest, or Inverness. The nearest public toilets are in Inverness.

Car parking information

There is no charge to park in this car park. Please park with care and consideration. In particular please park in designated parking areas only and do not block entrances or gates.

More about parking

Getting here

From Inverness, take the A96 towards Aberdeen and after about 1 mile (1.6 km) take the 2nd roundabout exit towards Balloch, Culloden and Smithton. At the second set of traffic lights turn right towards Culloden Moor and Croy. The car park is on your left after ¼ mile (400 metres).

Using SatNav?

IV2 7PW is the nearest postcode.

Public transport

Buses run from Inverness to Smithton, next to the forest. Check Traveline Scotland for details.

Get directions