February 2008 Heritage Feature: Hugh Allison - Culloden Tales

Like the participants blood, many words have been spilt over Culloden. There are few events in Scottish history that have proved to be as contentious and, by turns, as celebrated and revered as the short battle of 1746. Whilst historians argue over the facts, motivations of the major players, there are as many stories unpublished, and unrecorded from the iconic battlefield itself. There are stories about personal loss and remembrance, about relatives and ancestors, and the way that that turning point in the Highlands development has impacted, and continues to impact, on Highland identity.

 Few people are better to collate those yarns than Hugh Allison. A native of Lochaber, Hugh was inculcated in the nature, culture and history of the Highlands at an early age. This was consolidated by a degree at University of Glasgow. A spell with Highland Council saw him developing heritage and tourism, and winning several awards thereby. In 2000 he took over managing Culloden visitor centre, wherein he expanded and increased his knowledge of both the historical context and the culture surrounding it. Several books followed, culminating in his most recent, “Culloden Tales.” Hugh is now working freelance, and can be contacted via his website below.

 Heritage North is very lucky in having an audio presentation from Hugh, reading extracts from several chapters of “Culloden Tales” linked by a guiding narrative. This fascinating address, will help understand why this battle still assumes importance for not just Highlanders, but for those millions whose lives have been touched by Highland Culture. A purchasing link to “Culloden Tales” is below.