Damage prompts question: Are Outlander fans turning Culloden Battlefield into Disneyland?
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A famous memorial stone sought out by Outlander fans visiting Culloden Battlefield has been cordoned off following damage to the surrounding ground.
The Fraser Stone commemorates Clan Fraser members who were among the Jacobite forces loyal to Bonnie Prince Charlie at the battle in 1746 in which more than 1500 people died.
The stone has also become a popular tourist destination for fans of historical TV drama series, Outlander, based on the international best-selling books by Diana Gabaldon.
Set against the background of the Jacobite uprising, the fictional series features Highland soldier, Jamie Fraser.
High volumes of visitor traffic to the stone have prompted the National Trust for Scotland (NTS), which owns the battlefield, to tape off the area temporarily to enable the grass to regrow and the ground to firm up again.
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The announcement has prompted a lively public debate on social media with some complaining about a lack of respect displayed by some visitors photographing themselves on the landmark which has previously been cordoned off for similar reasons.
Another said there needed to be serious thought before it turned into Disneyland.
A spokeswoman for the NTS acknowledged wear and tear around the Fraser Stone was more extensive than in other parts of the graves area at Culloden Battlefield.
"We are unable to say that this is explicitly due to Outlander fans or not," she said.
"Having said that, the damage to the ground in this area is due to a high traffic of visitors wanting their pictures taken with the stone for their own reasons.
"While we want to allow everyone to come and remember the Battle of Culloden in their own way, we ask that if visitors notice that areas are becoming deteriorated that they give the area space."
She said it was important visitors were reminded that this area of the battlefield was where over 1500 people lost their lives in 1746 and were buried in mass graves directly beside most of the stone markers.
"We ask all visitors to Culloden Battlefield to show the graves area the respect given to any other burial site and we are doing our best as its guardian to conserve it," she said.
"As this area is a Scheduled Monument, we have worked with Historic Environment Scotland in the past to build an additional path to the Fraser Stone in the last two years to allow visitors a suitable access path. We closely monitor the area."
Those posting their reactions on social media included Britany Felix, who was shocked to see the state of the area while visiting film and historical sites featured in Outlander during a trip to Scotland.
She urged people to take a picture from a respectful distance and learn about the real people and battle.
"Walk the grounds (on the designated paths) and think about the weight of what happened there," she said.
"The lives of the people lost in that battle, the impact of that loss on those who loved them, and the lasting effects it had on the Highland way of life and Scotland as a whole should absolutely be the focus during the visit. Not a marker that has absolutely no connection to a fictional character."
Vicki Anderson added: "It's also worth reminding some fans that it is a real memorial as are the others and it is not appropriate to sit on and drape yourself over it for a fictional character just so you can get a picture for social media. Show some respect for all the real people that died."
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Simon Tough believed Outlander items in the visitor centre added to the circus.
"Serious thought needs to go into this before it turns into Disneyland," he posted.
Grant Hilton said Outlander prompted him to learn more about his ancestral connections to the Farquharsons and to pay his respects.
"I like quite like Outlander," he said. "Yes it's a story and fictional one at that – but people can be very ignorant at times."
