The Wallace Monument rises above the fields where Sir William Wallace led his troops to victory at the Battle of Stirling Bridge.
Wallace National Monument is one of Scotland’s most famous landmarks and a national symbol. It commemorates Sir William Wallace, one of the most prominent and recognized figures in Scottish history.
The Victorian Gothic tower is located on Craig Abbey, a volcanic rock above Cambuskennet Abbey, three kilometers north of Stirling. The monument was designed by Glasgow-born architect J. T. Rockhead and built between 1861 and 1869. It is said to have cost over £18,000 at the time.
In 1296, Edward I of England, known as the “Hammer of the Scots”, invaded Scotland and the Scottish War of Independence began. William Wallace, the youngest son of a Scottish knight, resisted him and led a partisan campaign against the British.
On September 11, 1297, the Scots, led by Wallace and Andrew Moray, defeated the English army at the famous Battle of Stirling Bridge. The Wallace Monument is located on a rocky bluff from which Wallace watched the mustering of the English army shortly before the battle in 1297.
The monument has four levels above the basement. The top floor is also known as the Crown. Displayed inside the monument are a number of artifacts believed to have belonged to Wallace. The Armoury, located on the first floor, shows how the Battle of Stirling Bridge was won, with an illuminated map of all the events of September 11, 1297.
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On the second floor is the Hall of Heroes, which tells the story of how Wallace was hailed as Scotland’s first national hero. The central decoration of this gallery is the Wallace Sword, 1.63 meters long and weighing almost three kilograms, which struck fear into the hearts of enemies.
Around the sword is a series of marble busts of famous Scots: writers, explorers, inventors and statesmen. Among them are Robert the Bruce, Sir Walter Scott, David Livingston, Robert Burns and James Watt. On the third floor, visitors can learn about the building’s history of this Victorian masterpiece, now a national landmark.
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Defeated at the Battle of Falkirk in 1298, Wallace was betrayed and taken prisoner. Seven years later, in 1305, he was hanged, and has since become a symbol of Scotland and freedom.
In 1996, Tom Church carved a statue of Wallace called Liberty based on the movie Braveheart. It depicts Mel Gibson, the actor who played William Wallace in the film.