A protest march is to be staged opposing controversial plans for a housing development next to the Culloden Battlefield.

Dozens of people, including many donning historic battle gear, are expected to turn out to show their determination to stop 16 homes from being built at Viewhill Farm, just half a mile from the Culloden Visitor Centre.

The protesters claim the location is part of where the original battle took place in 1746, and is essentially a war grave.

A developer was granted permission to build the 16-house development back in 2014 and the project, called Cairnfields, has now been taken on by Inverurie-based Kirkwood Homes.

The housing scheme had initially been rejected by Highland Council, but the decision was overturned by the government on appeal.

The protest march will take place next Saturday and proceed from the entrance of Culloden Battlefield, owned and run by the National Trust for Scotland, to Viewhill Farm.

It has been organised by the Stop Development at Culloden Group which was formed back in 2014 to protest the plans.

Following a global outcry, supported by Outlander author Diana Gabaldon, a new designated Protection Area enlarged the protected zone for the Culloden Battlefield area, but did not include Viewhill.

A group spokeswoman said: “We gathered information, data, maps and legislative references which left no doubt as to the historical significance of the battlefield and the area beyond and its importance on a national and international level.

“The building of houses on that site is deeply disrespectful. It is part of a war grave.”

The construction of 16 houses at Viewhill would convert the existing agricultural land use to suburban, subdivided homes.

It will include the possible widening and extensions of roads accessing the property.

The spokeswoman added: “We need to protect that area for future generations. It was a pivotal battle in British history and is of huge international interest and it is incumbent on us to protect it.”