We’ve all heard stories in the news about people defacing, or vandalizing historical places and artifacts. Recently, an unsupervised child, broke an ancient artifact at a museum, years ago in Philadelphia, a mentally ill man attacked the Liberty Bell with a hammer. However; what about the people who don’t make the news, the tourists who are irresponsible and quite frankly selfish and who’s behavior ruins it for the others? 

I recently had the privilege to visit the battlefield at Culloden, outside Inverness in Scotland. For history nerds, it’s the tragic site of the final stand of the Jacobite Highlanders before the Brits came in, conquered and crushed the Highland spirit and culture. For the average person though, it is a mecca for fans of the historical novel and series, Outlander. I shouldn’t have to add, but apparently need to, CULLODEN IS HALLOWED GROUND!!! People died at Culloden, it was real, not simply the fictional brainchild of Diana Gabaldon. It is no different than Gettysburg or Omaha Beach in that it should be a quiet place for reflection and there is a level of tourist decorum that needs to exist. 

Our incredible tour guide Andrew, walked us through the site showing us where the British stood, where the Scots fell and the moving memorial markers. Going in, I’ll admit- I’m an Outlander girl! I love Jamie Fraser and was very excited to see the Clan Fraser memorial and snap a picture with my daughter Saoirse. However; as we approached, I was unbelievably appalled to see it closed off behind a rope. Andrew proceeded to tell us that the tourism to see the Clan Fraser memorial has gotten so out of control that the artifact itself essentially is in danger. Gangs of Outlander fans come daily and touch the stone, sit on the stone, and they cry and leave letters to Jamie Fraser. Quick side note: Friends- Jamie Fraser is NOT real! Essentially the fans behavior is so insane they’ve had to mark it off so that it wouldn’t be destroyed by its “loving” fan base. As I stood about 15 feet from the marker and listened to Andrew detail the lunatic behavior and complete disrespect that happens on the regular, putting Culloden and its artifacts in danger, I got pretty angry. At what point, did people lose boundaries and understanding of the cultural materials of the world around them? It’s a real memorial site- why are middle aged women popping on their fanciest Sassenach shirts and littering the site with letters to a fictional character? What happened next left me raging. A young, American tourist seeing it was behind the ropes, outwardly disappointed, walked up BEHIND IT and STILL TOUCHED IT! Then made a joke that since she came up from behind where she was close to it, it didn’t count and giggled.  WHAT THE… 

When you’re at a historical site and you see rules regarding what you can bring, what you can eat, or not eat, what you can touch- FOLLOW THEM! How arrogant have people become? This situation made me think about a plethora of other situations that likely happen daily.  I’ve traveled quite a bit in my life, including twice as a chaperone for a high school trip. I was privileged enough to work in a school where student’s had standards and expectations, one of which was respect (gasp!). These were not the type of students who were disrespectful to tour guides, or the sites themselves. However; I have witnessed people of all ages going out of their way in historical places to do things that are not only cringy and immature, but potentially hazardous to the historical artifacts at the site. I am sure a lot of it is wrapped up in the social media culture too. Whether people who think they’re influencers, or just want to show off that special shot.  I’ve seen people who take selfies in places of worship, or photos when being told they’re not allowed and of course touching things that they shouldn’t. Furthermore, things these influencers release is usually total BS. If you go into that magical European bookshop to take a picture and not buy a book, you’re part of the problem. If you’re willing to pull out a camera in Westminster Abbey, after being told no photography, you’re part of the problem. If you’re the person who will go behind barricades and touch something that needs to be preserved so you can share it on Insta- you’re part of the problem. We are entitled to none of these things. They are historical artifacts that need physical boundaries so they can exist into the future. Give them the respect they deserve so the people who give these people and places respect still get to have the experience they deserve. End rant.