Glenfinnan Monument

If you are up in Glenfinnan, then I bet you a Scottish five pound note that you are here to visit the Glenfinnan Viaduct to catch a glimpse of Harry Potter and his pals heading off to Hogwarts. But after you are done, head over the road and you will find the Glenfinnan Monument on the banks of Loch Shiel.

The Glenfinnan Monument was erected in 1815 to remember the Jacobite Rising of 1745. It's here that Bonnie Prince Charlie, or Prince Charles Edward Stuart if you're feeling formal, raised his standard and called the Highland clans to join his cause. This moment marked the start of the last Jacobite rebellion, which was an ambitious bid to bring the Stuart family back to the British throne.

Standing at a solid 18 meters, the monument is topped with a lone Highlander, a tribute to the men who fought for the Jacobite cause. Designed by the well-known Scottish architect James Gillespie Graham, this monument strives to captures the grit and spirit of the Highland clans.

As you wander around the Glenfinnan Monument there are a few grave-like stones, although I couldn't read them.

Starting in Scotland, Bonnie Prince Charlie gathered support and won a few battles, but ultimately his forces were defeated at the Battle of Culloden in 1746. After this loss, he fled to France, marking the end of major Jacobite efforts. His campaigns and romanticised legacy remain a significant part of Scottish history and did you know that he is buried in the Vatican?

There is a door into the tower which allows you to climb to the top and get some amazing views of the surrounding area, although it was locked when we visited.

You can still wander down to Loch Shiel for some fab views.