Culloden Marker

[Canadian Livingstone]

Hi Kyle, Thought it appropriate to start a new posting focusing upon the issue of the Culloden Battlefield marker for the Appin Regiment which has been changed to read "Appin Regiment - Stewart and MacLarens". Getting back to that earlier message from Australia, it was Keith Livingstone that mentioned to me on April 30, 2005 that "at an old churchyard at/near Portnacroish, near the estuary inlet, is a delapidated stone church with a Culloden headstone set into the wall.... Anyhow I filmed the headstone in 2002, and from memory it said under the list of deceased: "Livingstones, or MacLeas 4." Perhaps Keith could send Niall a copy of this photo for the Clan Livingstone photo gallery. regards, Donald

[Kyle2 MacLea]

I thought I had seen a photo of that somewhere... would love to again. I see wikipedia calls it the "Clan Stewart of Appin" regiment, so that might bear correcting too: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Culloden Left the list from Keith's site on: http://www.clanmclea.co.uk/forum/show-m ... sp?ID=3067 Kyle=

[Canadian Livingstone]

Hi Kyle, THere is an old Stewart of Appin stone marking the spot where they fell in battle that has been photographed, but no photo I could find of the old MacLea-Livingstone stone which Keith photographed in 2002. We presumed that someone long ago perhaps removed this stone from Culloden, but I dont know that for certain. Anyways if you are in contact with Keith, you might consider seeing if could share that one with us. regards Donald

[D.W.Livingston]

Hello Everyone, Just a FYI for everyone that from the original forum thread: http://www.clanmclea.co.uk/forum/show-m ... sp?ID=3056 and this continuation I wrote to the Natiopnal Trust of Scotland and asked about it... this is the response I recieved from the Property Managr of Culloden Battlefield and Vistor Centre "Dear Mr Livingston, Your enquiry regarding the Culloden battlefield marker has been passed on to me as property Manager at Culloden. The inscriptions on the clan grave stones have not and never will be altered. Stewart of Appin was inscribed on the stone when it was erected in 18886 and this will remain so. At the moment there are wooden interpretation markers on the field which show where the Jacobite and Government troops stood in the line of battle. These were placed at some point by the Forestry Commission when the battlefield was under their ownership. Originally one of the markers stated ' Stewart's of Appin and MacLarens'. It was altered a number of years ago to ' Appin Regiment'. As part of the Culloden Project, new permanent markers will be placed on the field. These will be made from Caithness stone and after much deliberation it has been decided the best way forward was for the one in question to state Appin Regiment - Stewarts and MacLarens. I do hope this clarifies the situation . Kind Regards Deirdre Deirdre Smyth Property Manager The National trust for Scotland Culloden Battlefield & Visitor Centre Inverness IV2 5EU"

[Canadian Livingstone]

HI DAvid, Nice going. Your interest in this and your continued devotion to your clan is greatly appreciated. What does "much deliberation" really mean? Was that a thoughtful and lengthy process involving input from all of the Clan representatives whose ancestors served in the Appin Regiment. I suspect not. THe Culloden Battlefield is hallowed ground like a cemetery. YOu dont list some people and not others based on the oppinion of those in charge. If you ran a cemetery like that, putting a name here and there as it suits you, I dare you would soon be out of a job. The name of the regiment was the Appin Regiment and it consisted of several local families who all gave their best that day at Culloden. THe least the

[Kyle2 MacLea]

I think this deserves a letter in writing from our concerned clan members to the National Trust expressing our displeasure with this decision and our desire to see it "made right" and the reasons why! While I would be happy to do so, it seems that this concern would have the MOST weight either coming from the Bachuil or the Young Bachuil. So I will ask Niall: Do you think it is appropriate for concerned clan members to develop a letter off-list for sending to the Trust, or do you think it would be best if you wrote a letter or letters yourself? Your clan is eager to help get this fixed if we can! Kyle=

[Kyle2 MacLea]

I probably needn't add this, but because they are going to be carving these out of stone, we better put in our concerns ASAP or the inertia of a large $$ investment will overcome any willingness they may have to listen.... Kyle=

[D.W.Livingston]

I am unsure what one clan can do, and might seem like we are just grumbling over the facts.. In my opinion it might be best if we got a multi-clan letter sent in (ASAP) from all the followers of the Appin Regiment behind it and not just one clan. But like Kyle said, if the stone is already cut then it might be too late (unless all the clans were to pay for a new stone to be cut again) Unsure how this will all play out. David

[Kyle2 MacLea]

You have a good point, David. This begs the question:

[Bachuil]

By all means write in - as many as possible. But also ask - who made the decision - who was consulted? What were the views of the Stewarts? Who has represented the Carmichaels, MacColls? On what basis is History being rewritten? N