Culloden battle map going on display in Inverness Published duration 10 September 2010

image caption The plan drawn up by a French officer represents a Jacobite view of events

A plan of the Battle of Culloden drawn two years after Bonnie Prince Charlie's defeat to a government army in 1746 is to go on display in Inverness.

The National Library of Scotland (NLS) will bring the 1748 map to the city's Farraline Park as part of a road show.

Historic books and documents will also be on display from Monday to Wednesday.

As well as the battle plan, an engraving thought to date from 1797 showing a scene from the Battle of Culloden will be made available.

Martyn Wade, head of the NLS, said: "We always strive to be as accessible as possible and by taking a selection of our books and manuscripts on tour we hope to generate a fresh wave of excitement and remind people about the fantastic resource that is the National Library of Scotland.

"I have no doubt that the chance to see the Culloden battle plan will prove immensely popular and I expect the opportunity to see other original items, not to mention a wide range of Inverness-related items, will be a huge draw for the public."

The Culloden battle plan was drawn up by a French officer who was present on the day and was done in pen and ink with a colour wash.

It gives a pro-Jacobite view of the battle, in contrast with a much larger number of pro-Hanoverian battle plans which exist of Culloden.

The map was handed down through family lines in French military circles, before being taken to the US and then donated to the NLS.

The NLS said the Jacobite armies are shown in a clearly ordered array, in contrast to written descriptions of the battle and other plans.

The three positions of Bonnie Prince Charlie, shown by stars, are also said to be questionable, especially one to the front of the Jacobite lines.

However, there are said to be excellent details of the armies, commanders, and various regiments and clans, all named or listed at the base of the map.