Wallace Monument, Scotland

The National Wallace Monument, also known as the Wallace Monument, is a tower that stands on the Abbey Craig's shoulder. It overlooks Stirling in Scotland. It is dedicated to Sir William Wallace, a hero from the 13th and 14th centuries in Scotland. For an admission fee, the tower is available to the public. With 246 steps leading to the final observation platform. Three exhibition rooms are located within the tower's body.

The National Wallace Monument

William Wallace Monument

The Victorian Gothic Tower is located on Craig Abbey, a volcanic rock above Abbey Craig's three kilometers north of Stirling. The monument was designed by Glasgow-born architect John Thomas Rochead and built between 1861 and 1869. It is said to have cost over £ 18,000 at the time.

The monument contains a number of artifacts that are believed to be Wallace's. These include the Wallace Sword, which is a 1.63m long sword that weighs almost three kilograms (7 pound) and was found in the 5.4in diameter. Also inside is a Hall of Heroes, which features busts of prominent Scots. It effectively leads as a national Hall of Fame. Robert the Bruce and John Knox are the heroes. Allan Ramsay, Robert Burns and Robert Tannahill are also included. In 2017, Mary Slessor and Maggie Keswick Jencks was announced to become the first heroes to be honored in the hall.

Wallace was defeated at the Battle of Falkirk in July 1298. Seven years later in August 1305, he was betrayed and arrested in Robroyston, and handed over to King Edward I of England, who hanged him, and since he become a symbol of Scotland and freedom.

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William Wallace Mmemorial

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Braveheart statue

Braveheart Statue

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Tom Church, inspired by Braveheart's 1996 film Braveheart, carved a statue called Freedom of Wallace. It features Mel Gibson's face, who played William Wallace in Braveheart. The statue was leased by Church to Stirling Council who installed it at the foot the craig in the parking lot of the visitor center. It was a deeply hated piece of public art, and was described as "among Scotland's most hated". It was frequently vandalized before being put in a cage to protect it from further damage. The statue was removed in 2008 due to plans to expand the visitor center, which included a new restaurant and reception. After a failed attempt at selling it at auction, Church returned it to Church. There, it was made into a replica castle and added to with the head of the decapitated governor from York. Local media reported that the statue could be moved to Ardrossan’s Barony Church in April 2016.