The National Trust for Scotland (NTS) has been working with the 3rd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland (3 SCOTS) as part of the army’s Global Charge initiative to promote the well-being of its soldiers, while helping to protect Culloden Battlefield.
As part of 3 SCOTS’ social responsibility commitment to the local community, they have contributed more than 300 hours of manual work on Culloden Battlefield over the past year. Led by Major Paddy Marshall, Officer Commanding Headquarter Company at Fort George in Inverness, they have supported the NTS by assisting with repair and conservation work. This forms part of the army’s Global Charge initiative, which aims to secure a better environment for future generations.
Soldiers have completed work on Culloden’s memorial cairn, improving conditions and restoring its 360-degree views. They have also repaired the entirety of the Campbell path, completed weeding and soft-capping work on the Leanach and Culwhinniac Enclosure walls and hosted a barbecue on the Culloden events field, raising £300 for Culloden’s Fighting Fund.
In addition to their contribution to Culloden Battlefield, 3 SCOTS also took part in a collaborative project with the NTS, Forestry and Land Scotland and The Highland Council to clear over 10km of pathway during a litter-picking event at Culloden.
Ellen Fogel Walker, Estates and Conservation Manager at Culloden, said: “The partnership between Culloden Battlefield and 3 SCOTS has been a wonderful testament to the dedication of service people to engage in their local community. The projects that they have completed on site allow us to see this battlefield as a place of healing and to engage with our past. Through working with volunteer groups, we are ensuring that we are actively looking after Culloden’s sense of place.”
Gail Cleaver, National Trust for Scotland Operations Manager for the Culloden Cluster, said: “We would like to thank Major Paddy Marshall and 3 SCOTS for their incredible dedication and support over the past year. Their contributions to the repair and improvement of the battlefield have been instrumental in allowing us to continue to care for and protect this historic landscape for the benefit of everyone, now and into the future.”
“In addition to their continued support with manual work, 3 SCOTS have raised £300 for the Culloden Fighting Fund. Those passionate about protecting Culloden Battlefield can join us in our mission to care for this historical site and make a difference by donating to the fund. Donations help us to share this important part of Scottish history, as well as work towards a collaborative approach to managing the battlefield and protecting the site for future generations.”
Culloden’s Fighting Fund helps the NTS to protect and conserve the battlefield. Donations directly enable them to care for the integrity of one of the most important sites of Scotland’s heritage, as well as enabling vital conservation work carried out on the battlefield to protect the landscape and wildlife that call it home. The fund also supports opposition to the continued threat of development.
