I have been a volunteer at Culloden for long years. If you have an opportunity to visit the centre (yes, it is closed for part of January) then you must. It is superb, although I do have some concerns about the historical accuracy of some of the commentary.

The field itself, however, is not enclosed and is available to you anytime. It is always bleak and bitterly cold in January and, as Jock said, there may well be snow. If there is you may want to put off your visit until another time.

Pay particular attention during your walk-about to the newly rebuilt bit of drystane diking that marks the site of the original enclosure torn down by the Argyll Militia to allow the dragoons access to the right flank of the Jacobite army. Worthy of a few moments of contemplation is the stone marking the place where Macgillivray of Dunmaglas died. Look at it in relationship to the line of Government troops.

The far left of the Jacobite line is beyond the modern road, but the sad angle can be seen by standing near that road and looking across the moor to the Government line.

Then there are the massed graves noted earlier. In earlier years a road was build right over these and the large cairn was right beside it. You will see the longest grave, that of the Mackintosh/Clan Chattan contingent, is interrupted by a wide grassy strip. That was the old road and, in fact, there are many bodies beneath it.

There is bus service from Inverness to Croy. Culloden is a brisk walk from there and in January you will definitely feel the need to move quickly!

Rex