Many nations erect a variety of buildings to pay tribute to figures who have played a key role in their history. One of the most beautiful and well-known examples is The Wallace Monument in Stirling, erected in honour of Scottish leader William Wallace, whose courage and fight for the nation’s freedom became part of the Scots’ identity.
William Wallace – hero of Scottish independence
William Wallace lived at the turn of the 13th and 14th centuries. He was one of the main leaders of the Scottish uprising against English rule. His greatest fame came with his victory at Stirling Bridge in 1297, when he and Andrew Moray crushed King Edward I’s more numerous army. Wallace was later appointed Warden of Scotland and gained great fame, but his subsequent fate was tragic. He was taken prisoner by the English in 1305 and was subsequently condemned to death and executed in London. His figure quickly became legendary and to this day remains a symbol of the country’s struggle for independence.
The Wallace Monument on Abbey Craig Hill
The monument is located on Abbey Craig Hill overlooking the city and the Forth valley. The imposing structure measures 67 metres high and was completed in 1869. Its construction was made possible by public fundraising, accompanied by a strong undercurrent of national resurgence in the 19th century. Funds came from both the people of Scotland and foreign donors, including Giuseppe Garibaldi. A design drawing heavily on neo-Gothic was created by architect John Thomas Rochead, and the foundation stone for the tower was laid by the Duke of Atholl in 1861.
The National Wallace Monument – the historical significance of the site
The site for the monument was not chosen by chance. According to tradition, it was from Abbey Craig Hill that William Wallace is said to have watched the troops of King Edward I of England before the Battle of Stirling Bridge in 1297. Built of sandstone, the tower took eight years to build and cost £18,000, the equivalent of several million today.
Tours and displays of The Wallace Monument in Stirling
The Wallace Monument is open to visitors who have to climb 246 flights of spiral stairs to reach the viewing terrace. Inside there are several exhibition rooms. On display there are, among other things, Wallace-related memorabilia, including the famous sword, which is 1.63 metres long and weighs nearly three kilograms. An important part of the exhibition is also the Gallery of Heroes, which features busts of notable Scotsmen such as Robert the Bruce, Adam Smith, James Watt and Robert Burns. In 2017, the first women, Mary Slessor and Maggie Keswick Jencks, joined the ranks of those honoured.
Sculptures in memory of William Wallace
On the outer facade of the tower is a neo-Victorian sculpture of Wallace by David Watson Stevenson. Much controversy, however, has been caused by another work dedicated to the hero. In 1996, sculptor Tom Church created a statue entitled Freedom, inspired by the film Braveheart, in which Wallace was given the face of Mel Gibson. Placed initially near the visitor centre, it was quickly met with criticism and vandalism, until it was finally removed and returned to its author in 2008. After several unsuccessful attempts to find its permanent location, it was moved to Brechin Stadium in 2021.
Source: nationalwallacemonument.com, yourstirling.com
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