EHG5832 - Desk-based research and field visits - Blackpark, Culloden (Culloden Parks)

In 2018, new evidence regarding the C18 designed landscape around Culloden House was discovered by Historic Environment Scotland during routine work as part of their statutory role to compile and maintain the inventory of historic battlefields. This related specifically to 'Culloden Parks' as shown on contemporary and later depictions of the Battle of Culloden. Subsequent research including documentary and cartographic sources as well as digital sources such as GIS and LiDAR data was carried out. Site visits to verify the results of the desk-based analysis and research were undertaken in February and July 2019, and again in October 2020. Identified features were photographed using a digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera and approximate Global Positioning System (GPS) points recorded for unmapped features using a modern smartphone. Although less accurate than a purpose-built differential GPS device, this nonetheless provided enough accuracy to broadly locate the features where they were not identifiable on a map or aerial photograph. It has become clear that the previously suspected location of Culloden Parks placed it too far to the east in the landscape and that a further realignment of the historic landscape and the battlefield is necessary. <1>