Image Credit: Andy Jepson

Jacobite Era Projectiles Unearthed at Culloden Battlefield

Archaeologists from the University of Glasgow and the National Trust for Scotland have uncovered more than 100 musket balls and cannon shot at Culloden Battlefield, the site of the last battle fought on British soil in 1746.
The finds were made in October 2025 in a previously unexplored area of the battlefield, using metal detectors, trenching, and test pits. The discoveries include musket and pistol balls fired by both Jacobite and government troops, as well as a rare three-pound cannonball likely fired by Jacobite artillery.
Professor Tony Pollard explained that the artefacts likely mark one of the final clashes of the battle, where boggy ground slowed the Highland charge and government cavalry cut down retreating Jacobites. Among them were Irish troops in French service, who fought bravely before being forced to surrender.
Derek Alexander, Head of Archaeology for the Trust, said the discoveries help map the battle’s final moments and enhance understanding of where key events unfolded.
The team plans to return for detailed analysis, which will assist in long-term preservation and public interpretation of the site. Culloden remains a powerful symbol of Scottish heritage and one of the most studied battlefields in Europe.

Published on: 30-10-2025

Source: University of Glasgow