The exciting new visitor centre and interactive exhibition at Culloden is scheduled to open later this year.

A mixture of audio, genuine character accounts, battle immersion theatre and visual displays will be used to appeal to all ages, ensuring that Culloden becomes ‘the must-see’ destination on the Highland tour.

Work on restoring the battlefield to, as close as we know, that seen by the government and Jacobite forces on 16 April 1746 is virtually complete and a new footpath network allows journeys of 30-, 45- and 60-minute tours of the battle site.

Building work has continued apace with the internal exhibition and interpretive fit-out being completed throughout the summer. Content for the exhibition – including Gaelic verse, music and characters’ accounts – is currently being recorded with the BBC, which will enable the exhibition to be regularly refreshed.

At Culloden visitors will be able to:

• See the battlefield restored to as close as we know it what was seen by the two forces on that fateful day. • Feel first hand what it was like to be involved in the battle through the immersion theatre with 360-degree fighting action. (suitable for 12yrs upwards)

• Experience daily Living History presentations which bring the battle alive. • Listen to hand held audio devices whilst they tour the battlefield. Devices use GPS technology to tell visitors what was happening at strategic points around the battlefield.

• Use the new footpath network which enables visitors to tailor their battlefield tour to the time they have – 30min, 45min and 1 hour. • Appreciate the true scale of the battle by accessing the roof top viewing area

NTS are also offering members of the public the opportunity to take a building tour at the new Centre prior to opening. After a short safety briefing the tour will take participants right to the centre of the new building and will last approximately 45 minutes.

Hosted by building contractors Morrison Construction Ltd and NTS, it will be your chance to ask questions and find out more about the new centre's innovative building design.

The next tours will take place on Friday 22 June and Friday 20 July at 2pm and 3pm. Tours are free but participants are asked to make a donation to the Culloden appeal at www.nts.org.uk. Please contact the Culloden Visitor Centre on 0844 493 2159 to book a place.

The Trust needs to raise £1.95m to complete this world-class visitor centre, and as part of the fund -raising programme members of the public and interested groups are now being offered the opportunity to 'Sponsor a Stone' at Culloden Battlefield.

Your stone, which will be engraved with your or your society's name, will be laid in the Culloden Walk pathway alongside those of others from around the world. The Walk will be located in the approach to the Visitor Centre, a lasting reminder of those who have contributed to the symbolic heritage site.

For more information on the 'Sponsor a Stone' project go to www.cullodenwalk.org.uk Find out all the latest information about Culloden at www.nts.org.uk or call 0844 493 2159