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    —Jackie Cantor, Diana's first editor

Culloden

Well, I _was_ going to kick off my trip to the UK with a sprightly essay entitled “A Brief Disquisition on the Existence of Butt-Cooties.” Had it mostly done; meant to post it just before we left, then follow on with a general blog about our doings in England, Scotland, and the Isle of Man. Unfortunately, I left it in my other computer. (No, really; I brought my new MacBook on the trip, and forgot to transfer the essay out of my PC, where it’s still sitting.) So I guess I’ll use that as a closing flourish, instead.

We arrived in Scotland today! (Spent two days in New York first, to break the journey–poor Doug is 6’3 or 4, and Suffers Terribly on long flights, as he can’t sleep on airplanes.) Then landed in England, which was quick, but fun. We had dinner with friends, had another dinner with the new UK publishing people–Orion is now my UK publisher, and a lovely lot they all are, too–went to the Museum of London (amazing place! It’s address is One London Wall; it’s built on what’s left of the city wall), the National Portrait Gallery (just as amazing, in a different way. So cool to see the faces of history, especially all the Tudors and Stuarts and their cohorts), and…well, ate. As my husband remarked in tones of amazement last night, “We’ve been in England for 48 hours, and we haven’t eaten anything awful yet!” The wonders of globalization. [g] (Had a wonderful time sitting in pubs drinking red wine and listening to the conversations, too. More globalization, I suppose–or the influence of television; while the people _all_ had accents–and not all English accents, either–we could understand them easily, whereas on previous visits it often took several repetitions of an exchange for both parties to understand what was being said. This time, they understood _us_, too.)

Anyway, got up Way Early and dragged our bags to the Tube station at Pimlico (lovely cool day; cold enough to see your breath, but a sweatshirt was enough to keep warm), and went to Victoria, where we caught the Gatwick Express, arriving in enough time to hunt food–had wonderful sandwiches for breakfast at the airport (the UK in general has _great_ sandwiches; they’ll put _anything_ between two slices of bread (usually very fresh and good), and it’s usually extremely tasty, though I drew the line at sweet-corn with bacon and Branston pickle): I had tuna, salad, and red onion, and Doug had egg, cress, and mayo, both on “malted granary bread” (aka multi-grain; delicious)).

Flew to Edinburgh, and got our rental car–a brand-new Audi A3 (whose right windshield wiper stopped working about three miles out of the lot; luckily, it didn’t rain much), then drove north. After the hair-raisingness of negotiating the Edinburgh round-abouts on the left-side, Doug got comfortable again, and we could enjoy the ride, heading up through the rising lands of the Highlands, into big, rolling mountains still covered with snow on the heights, the un-treed slopes covered with a thick coat of dusty heather with the purple ghost of its summer glory lingering, and thick growths of gorse sprouting out of the rocks, so dark a green as to look black, covered with yellow flowers even brighter than the scads of daffodils growing on the roadside verges. Big, puffy clouds and small intermittent showers, but overall, a brilliant, beautiful day.

We stopped in Pitlochry, ostensibly to look for lunch. I had a secret agenda, though, which I hadn’t mentioned, because I knew Doug was worried about reaching Inverness in good time to find our hotel and change for the evening reception at Culloden. I’d discovered, in the process of recent research, that Pitlochry has a hydroelectric dam, built in the 50′s, and along with it, has a visitor’s centre that recounts the development and history of hydroelectric power in the Highlands–that, and a fish chamber [g], where one can watch migrating salmon and trout making their way up a fish-ladder past the dam.

By good fortune [cough], we happened to see the sign for “Dam and Fish-ladder,” and I (in my position as navigator) pointed and said, “Oh, let’s stop there!” “Why do you want to see a fish-ladder?” Doug asked, pulling into the lot. “I don’t,” I replied, leaping out and heading for the dam. “I want to see a hydroelectric plant!” (No, I told him why, but I’m not telling you, sorry. It’s to do with the next book, that’s all.)

No fish were migrating, alas, but the visitors centre was fascinating, the stream (full of middle-aged and elderly men in waders with fly-rods) was rushing and glorious, spring plants were greening up all over, the trees were full of birds about their courting, and there was a delightful small stone inn/restaurant called Port-na-Craig below the car-park, where we stopped into the Fisherman’s Bar (so-called for the dozens of ancient fishing-rods hung from the ceiling) and had absolutely decadent burgers–tender, juicy Scottish beef, overlaid with bacon (of the British kind–soft and streaky, not the crispy American sort) and thick with melted cheese–a tangy sort of local white cheddar. You couldn’t pick them up to eat; they were so juicy, the bun fell apart, so we had to eat them with a fork (“We havena got tomahto _sauce_,” the nice waitress explained (‘tomato sauce” being Scottish for “ketchup”), ‘But we’ve got a bit of tomahto salsa, if ye’d like that?” (We did. [g]) Homemade chips with white vinegar, a little salad on the side….and we went back to the car and nearly fell asleep on the next part of the journey, from sheer satiation.

Didn’t go off the road, though, and made it to the Culloden House Hotel without incident. This place is a marvel; a very old, very large, stone-built country house, renovated and restored into a four-star hotel. Victorian wallpapering and furniture, luscious thick carpeting, windows with ancient wooden shutters to keep the morning light out, and a first-class dining room, equipped with Royal Worcester china, etched crystal goblets, heavy silver–and a menu to die for. I had the tournedos of Scottish fillet of beef, with wild-mushroom risotto, and Doug had a pork cutlet topped with pickled red onion, and a creamed sweetcorn soup with crawfish tails and chili oil (don’t laugh; it was great [g]).

You might be more interested in the fact that during the final days before the Battle of Culloden, Jacobite troops rested on the grounds here–and Jacobite officers stayed in the house (the original house; the present house was built on the same site in 1780). Also because it was in one of the attic rooms of Culloden House that Jamie had his final, fatal confrontation with his uncle Dougal (of which we may possibly hear more, anon).

You’ll be thinking that we don’t do anything while traveling but eat, by this time. But no–our actual reason for being here today was a reception this evening at the new Culloden Battlefield Memorial Visitors Centre, to which we’d been invited by the National Trust for Scotland, they generously regarding us as donors to the project.

The new Visitors Centre is wonderful from the outside–very modern, with long, low, clean lines, so that it seems to fit into the landscape, rather than stick up out of it. The outside landscaping is still in progress, but they’ve begun to lay the stones for the Culloden Walk Project. I’ll include a link here, in case any of you might be interested in contributing to the project yourselves.

www.nts.org.uk/Culloden/Home/

I’d contributed a “chieftain stone” saying “Urram do na mairbh” (To the honor of the dead.”)–and my thanks to Catherine-Ann McPhee (noted Gaelic singer and teacher) for the proper Gaelic! The Ladies of Lallybroch had very generously donated a stone to the project as well, in my honor. [modestly pleased cough] Anyway, the walk is a long way from finished, but even the beginnings of it are very impressive indeed–flat, dark stones, covered with names, leading up to the entrance.

I won’t go into exhaustive detail about the evening or the exhibition, save to say that the evening was delightful (met all kinds of lovely people), and the design and execution of the exhibition is amazing–both striking and thoughtful. I _do_ want to tell you about what they call the “battle immersion” zone, though. This is a section where you walk through a dimly lit hallway, accompanying the Jacobite troops on the failed night march to attack the Government troops (you may not know about that, because Jamie didn’t take part–he was busy getting Claire safely to the stones); you hear the noises of the Government encampment to your left, and to your right, the shuffling and muttering and jangling of the exhausted, starving Jacobites as they go.

As you come to the end of this hallway, you turn into a small theatre–but it’s not the usual kind, with seats. It’s a completely empty room, with screens lining the walls on all four sides. You stand in the middle of this, turning constantly round as the battle begins, is fought, and ends….around you. It was fascinating to see the Jacobite troops lining up, sidling uneasily to and fro, getting into their formation–both very real, and very eerie, knowing what was coming. Empty horizon on the other side of the room, the wind stirring the moor grasses–and then the Government troops are there, coming up out of the distance. And coming. And coming. Rank upon rank, Brown Bess muskets on their shoulders. And the cannon rolling into position.

I was looking back at the Jacobite line when the firing began. Two Jacobite artillery pieces fired; a moment’s pause–and then English cannonballs struck two men in the front line, a few yards away from me. It was one of the most visceral experiences I’ve ever had. It went on from there in the same fashion; the terrible hesitation of the Jacobite line, before the order to charge finally came–the yelling mass of men, seeming to sweep right over us and carry us along–into the opposite screens, where the Government line stood firm….just waiting. You could smell the smoke of their volleys.

And then the wind again, over the quiet moor. And the dead.

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50 Responses »

  1. What an amazing description of your visit! I keep telling myself someday when I earn my sabatical, someday when the boys have gotten a little older and a litle less needy, someday I will stop waiting for “someday” and just GO travel! Now, I have find another teaching position- thank you Governator- so my someday will be postponed a little longer! But I will be patient and travel vicariously through you, Diana! Thanks for the journey!

  2. So you went to Pitlochry on your way up to Inverness? A lovely meal and a beer can be had at the Moulin, a hotel with a bar where they serve their own beer brewed in the micro brewery at the back. The hotel/pub was built in 1760,and its nooks and crannies give a lovely feel for the way things were built back then. Oh, and the best time for the fish ladder is October – we love to go up there to see them, they are amazing, as is the dam above.

    I was at Culloden Battlefield about 10 days ago whilst on holiday and the Visitor Centre wasn’t quite ready, so we didn’t have to pay the full entrance fee (workmen still constructing things inside and rather noisy). I had mixed feelings about it, having been there before the new centre was opened. Perhaps my opinion was coloured by the fact that a school party was in and not very well controlled, so a number of young teens were rushing up and down pressing every button in sight and not bothering to hear/see what the result was (I got quite cross with one of them and she looked at me in astonishment that I had dared to tell her off!). The immersion video of the battle was awesome – I went back twice, it was so good and gave such a realistic experience of being caught in a battle – very scary. And then, of course, there was the battlefield itself…it still retains its sense of loneliness and desperation but that’s enough said – the atmosphere still makes the hairs on the back of my neck rise.

    I probably can guess at least 2 ways the hydro-electric scheme might feature in the next book – don’t forget, guys, that the excerpts published so far contain bits about Brianna and family back in the 20th century, so there are a number of possibilities here, especially as Brianna is a trained engineer. But, of course, I could easily be wrong – I don’t try and 2nd guess anything you write any more Diana – I’ve only been right once in 6 books!

    Hope you enjoy the rest of your stay in Scotland and the rest of the UK.

    Irene
    St Andrews. Scotland

  3. In your eyes

    What is that,
    I can see in your eyes?
    Which feelings
    show they?
    I can’t say exactly,
    what it is.
    Is ist anger?
    ‘Cause I left you.
    Is it pity?
    ‘Cause I’m sitting here alone.
    Is it hope?
    ‘Cause you see a chance for yourself.
    Maybe I don’t want to know it.
    Maybe I don’t care anymore.
    I can only look away,
    hoping you’re gone,
    when I open my eyes again.

  4. Completely off topic … our local library is having its annual spring “gently used” book sale. I was hoping to score a copy of OUTLANDER for an officemate I’ve been preaching the virtues of Diana Gabaldon to (g) and would you believe … no copy of OUTLANDER, not ONE Gabaldon tome in the whole kit and kaboodle! The librarian told me that she had donated a trade paperback copy of OUTLANDER but it was practically the first thing out the door – and I only got there 10 minutes after they opened. Guess I’ll have to get up earlier for the sale they have in August, although I don’t hold out much hope – folks giving away Gabaldon titles are few and far between, apparently. I know I’ll not be parting with mine anytime soon.

  5. What an amazing discription…gave me goosebumps.
    We keep meaning to go up to Culloden, i don’t believe my Galbraith ancestors were part of it (from what I understand they were a sneaky bunch who managed to always avoid trouble of any sort, and they’re a sneaky bunch trying to trace them!)but there is just a part of me that having read your books wants to visit anyway.
    Thank you!

  6. I’m really glad that you enjoyed your time and your burgers. (I love a good, mature cheddar.)
    Your descriptions were absolutely wonderful.
    Did you, however, try brown sauce?

    I try so, so hard to check your site often and spent years hoping and praying you’d visit Scotland again.
    And you visited when my internet connection was down for a few weeks so I had no idea!

    I suppose I’ll just have to hope that you’ll visit Idaho since I am moving there in two weeks.

  7. thanks very much for describing this! i am a newcomer to the cult of the outlander series, but i am completely hooked and obsessed. i have not had a diana gabaldon-free day since the first part of september but am now just going back to re-read my favorite parts of all the books, a first for me!

    next year, i will travel outside the us for the first time to france, but scotland is the 2010 trip i am planning.

    i am now an avid fan!

  8. A friend and I were wondering if you would consider a book about Gellis Duncan? She pops in and out of so many stories that is seems she would have an interesting life. Have read through all the Jamie/Claire books and am looking forward to the newest one.

  9. Hello,

    I fell in love for Scotland and its history mostly thanks to your books. I got married in September 2009 and my husband gently agreed to a wonderful honeymoon in Scotland. we spent a night at Culloden House Hotel and I can’t even describe what I felt being there and knowing what truly happened 2 centuries ago. I could never have had a better honeymoon than that.

    Clara

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