Step challenge to raise funds for iconic battlefield fighting fund aims to cover same distance as Bonnie Prince Charlie's march during Jacobite uprising of 1745
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A step challenge has been launched to raise funds to help protect an iconic Highland battlefield from the threat of commercial development.
Members of the National Trust for Scotland (NTS) team at the Culloden Battlefield site are inviting the public to support them in notching up 800 miles – the equivalent distance covered by Bonnie Prince Charlie during the Jacobite uprising.
The sponsored six-week Culloden Step Challenge will begin on July 23, the same day in 1745 when the Prince landed to begin the campaign.
Raoul Curtis-Machin, operations manager for Culloden Battlefield and Visitor Centre, said: "Counting all their steps together, the team here at the visitor centre and battlefield are committed to covering the same 800-mile distance as Charles Edward Stuart did in the 1745 Rising.
"From landing on the Hebridean Isle of Eriskay, then raising the standard at Glenfinnan, he marched through Edinburgh and Carlisle, progressing as far as Derby, before turning back up north to make a final stand at Culloden."
With modern housing developments encroaching on the site where many hundreds of men fell fighting for a cause they believed in, the NTS is trying to fight inappropriate development.
Culloden’s Fighting Fund was launched earlier this year to protect and conserve the battlefield.
The NTS team hopes everyone who feels connected to and passionate about Culloden, as well as those looking for a summer fitness challenge, will join in, take the step challenge to do 500,000 steps in six weeks.
A welcome pack, weekly emails and monthly podcasts will be made available so people can chart their path through time, walking or running wherever they live, in the footsteps of the Jacobite army.
It has been estimated that an individual would have to walk or run two million steps to cover the 800 miles which the Jacobites covered. A unique medal will be offered to anyone brave enough to complete a sponsored two million step challenge.
Debbie Reid, visitor services manager at Culloden, said: "Everyone at Culloden is extremely passionate about the land we protect and when we launched the new Culloden Fighting Fund initiative, we were keen to do our bit and get involved.
"It will be a challenge to walk over 800 miles in just six weeks, but we are confident we can make it.
"We’re hoping people will be just as keen as us to get involved and support the site by taking on their own virtual challenge and we have some exciting content lined up to keep everyone engaged and feel like they are stepping through history."
Mr Curtis-Machin added: "This is a really exciting challenge combining history, health and wellbeing. I hope lots of people will take part – get a bit of healthy exercise, learn a little, and raise money for a great cause.
"We are so grateful for all the ongoing support that we receive and the support for our charity, helping us protect the places we all love.
"We hope that many folk will sign up for this."
Anyone wanting to give a donation can do so at www.justgiving.com/campaign/cullodenfightingfund
Those wanting to take on the challenge should email SIGN ME UP to CFFund@nts.org.uk for more details.
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