New Culloden Visitor Center
Nears Completion
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The Battle of Culloden that took place on a barren moor at Culloden on April 16, 1746. That battle shaped Scottish history and a great many Scots-Americans and Scots-Canadians will find that their families' migration was a result of the Battle of Culloden. The National Trust for Scotland now administers the site and is planning for the battle and its aftermath to be presented in an innovative new visitor centre scheduled to open in late 2007.
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The Culloden Visitor Centre is on schedule for a winter 2007/ 08 opening, thanks, in part, to hundreds of Canadian and Americans with whom the project has obviously struck a chord.
They have visited www.OwnTheStone.org and contributed to this important venture, which will safeguard this historic site and help people to understand its global significance, not just now, but in the future, as well.
Their reasons for buying an engraved walkway stone are apparently as diverse as they are. Some are Scots-Americans whose ancestors immigrated to the New World as long ago as 1746 because of the repressive aftermath of the battle of Culloden, and they wish to acknowledge their Scottish heritage.
Ron Ross from Hawaii, a first generation American, purchased a stone because "it would be a neat thing" for his children to see when they visited Scotland……"A connection to their past in stone."
The National Trust for Scotland is grateful to all of the North Americans who have made the continuous progress at the Culloden Visitor Centre and Battlefield site possible. But, now in its final funding phase, The National Trust for Scotland is appealing for additional donations before the project's scheduled completion at the end of 2007.
The external cladding and glazing are all in place and the biofuel silo is 100 percent finished. Construction to the base build and the interior interpretative areas is ongoing.
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AN ARTIST'S impression of the completed Culloden Visitor Centre.
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The Battle of Culloden re-enactment film is ready for installation in the 360 degree Immersion Theater. Archeological research has helped to restore the Battlefield to much the same condition as it was on April 16, 1746. But there is still much to be done.
What if Culloden Funding Targets are not Met?
Lorna Stoddart, Director of Fundraising for the National Trust for Scotland, explains, "In order to fund the Culloden Visitor Centre, if our funding targets for the project are not met, we might have to use up some of our financial reserves.
"Lack of funds could leave other properties and sites in our care less protected. What's more, the area around Culloden Battlefield could be especially vulnerable to external development, which would damage the sense of dignified reflection this battlefield and gravesite deserves."
How You Can Help - A Holiday Gift Idea
The Culloden Visitor Centre is entering its final building phase, a final funding push is underway and the holiday season - traditionally a time for reflection as well as for gift giving - is right around the corner.
Now is the perfect time to purchase an engraved Culloden Walkway paving stone as a charitable contribution or as a unique gift. Inscriptions can be personalized to honour beloved family members or friends, to celebrate your Scottishness or to commemorate a special anniversary or event.
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AN aerial view of work-in-progress on Scotland's new Culloden Visitor Centre scheduled for a winter 2007/08 opening, thanks to support from hundreds of Canadian and Americans with whom the project has struck a chord
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These Culloden Stones, made of beautiful Caithness stone, will be enduring signs of your support. They will be laid in the approach to the new Visitor Centre. The cost (from US$135 per stone) is 100 percent tax deductible because the National Trust for Scotland Foundation USA is a tax-exempt charitable organization.
Embrace your birthright! To find out more or to make a donation, please go to www.OwnTheStone.com or write to The Culloden Battlefield Experience, 37 West 28th Street, New York, NY 10001. Or, if you prefer call 866-917-STONE.
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