David Morier on Wikimedia

The historical drama Outlander is a popular TV show that premiered in August 2014. It’s based on a book series of the same name, written by Diana Gabaldon.

The series follows a World War II military nurse by the name of Claire Randall, who travels back in time to 18th-century Scotland, where she falls in love with a Highlander, Jamie Fraser.

The first three seasons of the show centered around the Jacobite rising, with the Season 2 finale resulting in Claire returning to the 20th century, leaving Jamie to an uncertain fate.

While the show has gone on to showcase other major historical events that took place in the 18th and 20th centuries, the Battle of Culloden was not only a turning point for the show but also a visual representation of a turning point in Scottish history. 

What Was The Battle Of Culloden?

On April 16, 1746, a battle between Scottish and British forces took place near the town of Inverness. The battle was the culminating event of a two-year-long rebellion, known as the Jacobite rising, which occurred as an attempt to reinstate James Francis Edward Stuart on the British throne.

The Jacobites, a group of mostly Scottish highlanders, were led by Charles Edward Stuart, Francis’s son. The army had won a couple of smaller skirmishes before this battle, but was forced to retreat to the highlands after a failed invasion attempt.

The battle itself was brief and gory, as the Jacobites were short on supplies, good equipment, morale, and men. Fewer than 5,000 highlanders faced an overpowering army of 7,000-9,000 British soldiers, losing the fight in under an hour.

Only 50 British soldiers were killed during the battle, but the Jacobites faced losses of nearly 2,000, marking a hard defeat of the Scottish army.

The Aftermath

Bjorn Snelders on Unsplash

Due to the severe losses of Scottish armies, it’s clear that this battle marked the end of the Jacobite cause. This also led to further repercussions for Scotland, as British policy introduced efforts to erase the long-established Highland way of life. Scots living in these more remote areas soon found their traditional clan structures and even their clothing completely suppressed by British rule.

This turning point continues to be a sore spot for Scotland, as it created long-lasting tension between the two countries. It plays a role in Scottish identity, pride, and resilience today, making it one of the many battles that continue to have cultural significance.

As Outlander continues to air, with its 8th season marked to release sometime next year, we will continue to follow Claire, Jamie, and the many other familiar faces we’ve grown to know and love. However, the show’s influence on bringing the Scottish highlands, the Jacobite rising, and the Battle of Culloden into popular culture cannot be understated. A 2023 visitor survey by VisitScotland found that nearly 700,000 people travelled to be immersed in Scottish culture thanks to this show, with a major focus on the history and culture of these rural, but historic, sites.