Archaeologists at Culloden Battlefield have uncovered a rare unexploded mortar shell, offering new insight into one of the most pivotal moments in Scottish history.

The discovery comes ahead of the 280th anniversary of the Battle of Culloden, fought on 16 April 1746, where Jacobite forces led by Bonnie Prince Charlie were defeated by government troops.

The 5.5 inch shell, found intact and still packed with gunpowder, is the first complete piece of government ordnance ever recovered from the battlefield.

Weighing around 8kg, the shell is believed to have been fired from a Coehorn mortar, a weapon used by government forces to launch explosive projectiles in high arcs over enemy lines.

Experts believe the shell failed to detonate after landing on wet ground, with its fuse extinguished before ignition.

The find was made during a week long excavation in October 2025, led by the National Trust for Scotland alongside the University of Glasgow.

More than 100 projectiles were uncovered during the dig, including musket balls and pistol shot, helping build a clearer picture of how the battle unfolded.

The mortar shell was discovered buried around 30cm beneath the surface in a field near the Memorial Cairn, an area now thought to be close to the heart of the battlefield.

Derek Alexander said:

“This is a remarkable, dare I say explosive find of the kind archaeologists dream of, but never expect to encounter.

“Along with the other projectiles recovered, this discovery helps us better understand the formation of troops and concentration of fire during this brief, but brutal, battle.

“The mortars may have been aiming at the Jacobite artillery, so the place where the shell landed may mark the heart of the Culloden battlefield.

“We have a more vivid image of how the battle played out, but the discovery also tells a human story.

“When it didn’t explode as expected, the Jacobite fighters standing nearby must have felt an immense relief.”

The shell was carefully analysed and made safe by specialist teams before being cleared for display.

It will now go on temporary display at the Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre before becoming part of a permanent exhibition.

The discovery adds to growing evidence that the battlefield still holds important historical material, despite challenging ground conditions.

It has also renewed calls for stronger protection of Scotland’s historic battlefields, with concerns that sites of national importance do not always receive the same level of legal safeguarding as other heritage locations.

Culloden remains a place of deep cultural significance, drawing visitors from across Scotland and around the world, many of whom come to reflect on the lives lost and the lasting impact of the battle.

Professor Tony Pollard said:

“Artillery played a vital role at Culloden, particularly on Cumberland’s side, where the Royal Artillery’s cannon were well served by experienced gunners.

“We have found evidence for all these types of shot, but our previous archaeological investigations have also recovered fragments from an exploded mortar shell.”

Culloden remains one of Scotland’s most significant historic sites, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors each year and continuing to shape national identity and memory.

As work continues, archaeologists believe there may still be more to uncover beneath the surface.

2026 marks the 280th anniversary of the Battle of Culloden.

The commemoration service will take place on Saturday 18 April.

The event begins at 10.30am with a procession starting at the Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre and ending at the memorial cairn where the service takes place from 11am until 12 noon.

Tickets for anniversary events at Culloden Battlefield are available on the National Trust for Scotland’s website. 

Culloden’s enduring legacy also persists in popular culture, including the book and television series, Outlander.

Fans of the series are currently running a fundraiser in support of the Culloden Fighting Fund, which supports the Trust’s ongoing interpretation of the battle and enables it to create new displays, such as this one of the mortar shell.

The fundraiser runs until 2 May 2026 and can be found online https://www.justgiving.com/page/jesuisprest.