The influence of national identity and genealogy on the visitor experience at Culloden Battlefield, Scotland

Culloden Battlefield, site of the 1746 clash between Jacobite and government forces, stands as both a historic landmark and a powerful symbol of national identity and ancestral memory. This study examines how national identity and genealogy shape visitors’ experiences, revealing emotional and cultural layers in heritage tourism. Many visitors, especially from the Scottish diaspora, arrive with personal or familial ties to the battle, using the site to trace lineage and connect with their heritage. For them, Culloden is a place of reflection, mourning, and identity affirmation. The visitor centre and battlefield interpretation evoke themes of loss, resistance, and cultural survival, reinforcing Scottish distinctiveness. Through preservation efforts, interpretative research, and storytelling, Culloden remains a cornerstone of Scotland’s national identity and a key site for individuals exploring their Scottish ancestry. This paper emphasises Culloden’s dual significance as both an educational site and a destination for personal pilgrimage. It contends that national identity and genealogy are not merely peripheral elements of the visitor experience but are central to how individuals connect with and interpret the battlefield’s contested history.