Many have watched Mel Gibson's historically questionable movie Braveheart. Today William Wallace (and perhaps even more so Robert the Bruce) is really a national hero of Scotland and the Wallace Tower is the most noticeable landmark to celebrate him.
One of the more eye-catching landmarks in Scotland may be the Wallace Monument. The Wallace Monument appears to be although it would be at home in Harry Porter or as part of Mordor. It is an easy drive from Edinburgh or Glasglow in the central region of Stirling.
William Wallace And The Building From the Wallace Tower
William Wallace lived over 700 years back and he rallied the Scots to fight back at the oppressive English. He famously won the Battle of Stirling Bridge in 1297 crushing the English army because it was strung out and disorganized crossing the bridge.
The concurrent English King was King Edward I (also called Edward Longshanks). King Edward seemed to be engaged over these times subduing the Welsh and building the massive UNESCO listed four outstanding Edward castles of Wales.
- King Edward I: Considered An excellent English King Who Built Massive Castles In Wales
- William Wallace: United The Scottish Clans From the English
- Battle of Stirling Bridge: A Crushing Scottish Victory Within the English Army
Wallace is believed to have been born at around 1270, either at Elderslie near Paisley or Ellerslie in Ayrshire, right into a minor noble family.
In the 1800s, there was an upsurge of Scottish national identity. Rev Charles Rogers after which William Burns led a fundraising campaign to build the monument. Among its donors was even an italian man , national leader Giuseppe Garibaldi (who forged the unification of Italy).
The location was the topic of great debate, with Stirling eventually chosen as it was the website of Wallace's greatest military success (the Battle of Stirling Bridge). The foundation stone for that tower was laid down in 1861 and the tower was carried out 1869.
- Built: 1861 to 1869
The Wallace Monument Today
Today, the Wallace Monument stands proud – perched atop the shoulder of the hilltop called Abbey Craig. 700 years later the Wallace Monument commemorates Sir William Wallace and the struggle for Scottish independence.
The Wallace Monument is really a 67-meter height tower overlooking Stirling in Scotland. Stirling is also the home of the living castle and museum Stirling Castle where Scottish royalty once resided.
- Height: 67 Meters or 220 Feet
- Location: Abbey Craig, Stirling, Scotland
- Style: Built In The Victorian Gothic Style
- Steps: 246 Steps
Exhibitions In Wallace Tower
Inside the tower are three exhibition rooms. On display in the exhibition rooms, exist several artifacts which are considered to have belonged to William Wallace – including the Wallace Sword.
The Wallace Sword is 1.63 meters or 5 feet 4 inches longsword that weighs almost 3 kilos or 7 lbs. This impressive two-handed sword was initially recorded in Dumbarton Castle in 1505. William Wallace occured at Dumbarton Castle after his betrayal and capture in 1305 and there is a legend that his sword was taken and left undisturbed at the castle. Centuries later King James IV (who reigned from 1473 to 1513) ordered the handle to become repaired.
- Wallace Sword: A Massive 5 ft 4 in Longsword
- Symbolizes: Freedom, Liberty, and Wallace Himself
There can also be the Hall of Heroes with busts of some of the most famous Scots (from fighters for Scottish independence, to explorers, to famous economists, to novelists, and much more).
The famous Scots include: Robert the Bruce, George Buchanan, John Knox, Allan Ramsay, Robert Burns, Robert Tannahill, Adam Smith, James Watt, Sir Walter Scott, William Murdoch, Sir David Brewster, Thomas Carlyle, Hugh Miller, Thomas Chalmers, David Livingstone, and W. E. Gladstone. In more recent years, Scottish heroines have also been added like Mary Slessor and Maggie Keswick Jencks.
Visiting The Wallace Tower
The Tower is available to the public to have an admission fee. To get to the tower one needs to approach on foot in the lower crag. To obtain the top observation platform, one will need to climb the 246 steps to the top.
Once at the top, readers are greeted with expansive views from the Ochil Hills and also the Forth Valley.
- Disabled Access: The Wallace Tower Is Not Disabled Accessible
- Opening Hours: 10.00 am to five.00 pm Daily (Hours Vary Seasonally)
It is advised to book ahead and have a preferred entry time slot. One can just turn up, but there is no guarantee to have an available time slot.
Admission:
- Adult: lb10.75 ($14.50)
- Child (Under 16): lb6.75 ($9.00)
While one may be overwhelmed with items to see and experience in Scotland, a minimum of the Wallace Tower is easy to reach.
