Outlander author Diana Gabaldon compares Inverness with her hometown of Flagstaff in Arizona during a special broadcast to mark the 275th anniversary of the Battle of Culloden
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A best-selling American author compared Inverness to her hometown during a special event to mark the 275th anniversary of the Battle of Culloden.
Diana Gabaldon, the woman behind the multimillion-selling Outlander books and TV series, was speaking during a broadcast of the regular Inverness Outlanders Live online programme, which came from Culloden Battlefield on Friday.
She said the Highland capital reminded her very much of Flagstaff in Arizona, adding: “The fact that it’s a mountain town is primarily what gives me that same vibe – there is the very near proximity of mountains.
“It has an ‘integrated’ feel – it is integrated with its landscape.”
The event was organised by the Inverness Outlanders fan group, in association with MacGregor’s Bar, and co-host Bruce MacGregor said it had proved a big hit.
“It was very good and there were huge numbers watching it – there was a constant 1300 watching it throughout, so I think the reach was about 30,000,” he said.
“It was really nerve-racking because you are dealing with a very sensitive subject that people are really passionate about and know their facts and figures.
“We had done a huge amount of work on it though and were confident in the material.”
Last week’s broadcast of the show which regularly explores the history, characters, places and music that inspired the Outlander series also featured exclusive insights to the battle site and a look at the aftermath of the conflict which led to the near destruction of Highland life and culture.
Acclaimed historian Sarah Fraser and local writer Hamish MacDonald took part, along with Raoul Curtis-Machin, National Trust for Scotland operations manager at Culloden Battlefield.
The show’s director and current chairwoman of Visit Inverness and Loch Ness Jo De Sylva, said: “In terms of international appeal, Diana has created the most incredible series which is invaluable to Scottish tourism. She has brought our history to life and given it global appeal.”
Earlier in the week members of the Inverness Outlanders group laid a wreath to mark the 275th anniversary of the battle.
Co-presenter Caroline Keith said: “We knew that many people from around the world, including Outlander fans who had planned to attend the commemoration event at the battlefield this year, would be unable to travel to Inverness because of Covid restrictions.
“We wanted to do something on this special anniversary to try and share the sense of place that people experience when they visit the battlefield.
“We feel privileged and thrilled that the National Trust for Scotland gave us permission to broadcast live.”
The National Trust for Scotland held its own series of events on Saturday to mark the anniversary, including unveiling the most detailed map created so far of Culloden Battlefield.
The electronic maps use the latest Geographic Information Software and light detection and ranging (LIDAR) analysis to allow maps and information to be layered on top of each other.
This provides an unrivalled insight into the topography of the site of the battle and allows historians to consider the events of April 16, 1746, in a whole new light.
