Finding Home in History: An American at Culloden
When Abigail “Abby” Wyatt boarded a plane to Inverness for the very first time, she had no idea that an email waiting in her inbox would change her life. It was an invitation to interview for what felt like her dream role: Events Supervisor with the National Trust for Scotland.
Today, just five months later, Abby is based at one of Scotland’s most powerful historic sites—the Culloden Battlefield and Visitor Centre—where she’s creating new ways for visitors to connect with history. “It’s really about accessibility,” she explained. “One of my main goals is creating a place where history, heritage, and culture are accessible to people in different ways. Whether that’s an immersive Jacobite afternoon tea with quill-writing and wax seals, or exploring the role women played on both sides of the battle, I want people to leave excited to share what they’ve learned.”
That fresh perspective comes not only from Abby’s background in history and performing arts, but also from her experience as an American living in Scotland. Originally from the U.S., she earned her master’s degree in Belfast before moving to Scotland. “I got incredibly lucky,” she says of her journey. “It was right place, right time, right background.”
At Culloden, she sees firsthand how deeply the site resonates with visitors from across the Atlantic. “We get tons of Americans. I think we’re one of the busiest sites in Scotland,” she noted. For many of those visitors, Culloden is their most-anticipated stop—a place that links family lore, ancestral heritage, and Scotland’s global story.
But Abby isn’t focused solely on the battlefield. She also supervises events at Abertarff House in Inverness and Hugh Miller’s Birthplace in Cromarty. At Abertarff, a hidden gem of a historic house with the only green space in the city center, Abby is determined to transform the site into a hub of cultural life. “It’s such an underutilized space,” she explained. “It has so many ties to Culloden and the Jacobite rebellion, and it’s perfect for intimate events. That’s my pet project at the moment.”
For Abby, the work is both professional and personal. Growing up, she admits she wasn’t initially drawn to history—until a visit to Boston’s Freedom Trail sparked her imagination. Now, she’s passionate about creating similar sparks for others, especially young people. One of her upcoming projects is a Cumberland Woods Nature Trail program for children, combining natural exploration with stories of the battlefield.
When asked what she thinks Americans might learn from Scottish culture, Abby doesn’t hesitate: pride and openness. “Scottish people are very proud of their culture—and it’s warranted. But they’re also self-critical, quick to call out what should change. And they’re explorers; they love traveling and experiencing other cultures. I think Americans could do more of that—be proud, but also be curious and open to the world.”
She laughs about the lighter side of cultural exchange, too—like her first taste of Irn-Bru (“not impressed”) and the local fondness for “goujons” instead of chicken strips. But for Abby, the heart of her work is serious: making Scotland’s stories engaging, inclusive, and lasting.
As we look toward America’s 250th anniversary, Abby’s journey reflects the enduring ties between Scotland and the United States. She’s not only preserving Scottish history—she’s helping Americans experience it in ways that feel alive, relevant, and deeply connected across the Atlantic.