Should You Visit Culloden on a Jacobite Train Trip?
The honest answer, with travel times and logistics.
⚖️ Verdict: Worth it — but plan a separate day
Culloden Battlefield is one of the most significant historical sites in Scotland and genuinely moving to visit. However, it is near Inverness — 65 miles east of Fort William, in the opposite direction to the Jacobite route. It cannot be combined with the train on the same day without significant rushing.
Travel Time & Logistics
65 miles · A82 north to Inverness, then B9006 east
5 miles · B9006 east from Inverness city centre
Worth It vs Skip It
✅ Visit if...
- You have 3+ days in the Highlands
- You're interested in Scottish history
- You're routing through Inverness
- You want to understand the Jacobite context
- You're visiting with older children (12+)
⚠️ Skip if...
- You only have 1–2 days and want the train
- History is not your primary interest
- You're not routing through Inverness
- You have young children (the site is sobering)
The Jacobite Connection
The Jacobite train is named after the Jacobite cause — the movement to restore the Stuart monarchy to the British throne. The Battle of Culloden in 1746 was the final defeat of the Jacobite rising led by Bonnie Prince Charlie. The battlefield is where that cause effectively ended.
Visiting Culloden adds historical depth to a Jacobite train trip — but it is not necessary to enjoy the train. The train is named for the romance of the cause, not the history. Most visitors come for the scenery, not the history.
Planning your Jacobite train visit?
Use our viewpoint finder to plan the best spots to watch the train.