The Battle of Culloden was the final confrontation of the Jacobite uprising aimed at reinstating the House of Stuart to the British throne. In April 1746, the two forces met on a moor near Inverness, Scotland. The Jacobites, led by Charles Edward Stuart, known as 'Bonnie Prince Charlie', were determined to reclaim authority following years of discontent and rebellion against the Hanoverian rule established after the Glorious Revolution of 1688. The Jacobite army had garnered support from French forces, leading to a sense of optimism regarding their potential for success. However, the British army, under the command of William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland, was well-trained and significantly larger in numbers.

The battle commenced in the afternoon and was characterized by the Jacobites' ill-preparedness against traditional battlefield tactics. With its ranks suffering from a lack of experience and the adverse weather conditions, the Jacobite charge was met with devastating cannon and musket fire from the Hanoverian troops. The battle concluded in a matter of hours, leaving thousands of Highland soldiers dead or injured, while the British forces followed through with a ruthless pursuit of the retreating Jacobites. This decisive defeat effectively ended the Jacobite cause and solidified the Hanoverian dynasty's hold over Britain.

In the aftermath, the British government implemented a series of repressive measures aimed at suppressing Highland culture and further uprisings. The wearing of tartans was banned, and clan structures were dismantled, fundamentally altering Scottish society. Culloden's significance lies not only in its immediate military outcome but also in its profound impact on the cultural landscape of Scotland, transforming the relationship between Scotland and England for generations to come.