Pre-trip work!

 May 21, 2025   The Wallace Monument

Who was William Wallace? History remembers him a bit like our American Paul Bunyan; a little bit fact and a little bit fiction. Either way, he was a tremendous character that influenced Scotland, past and present. AI sums him up like this: "William Wallace is famous for his role as a leader and national hero during the First War of Scottish Independence against King Edward I of England. He is particularly known for his victory at the Battle of Stirling Bridge in 1297, where he led his forces to defeat a larger English army. Wallace's actions and legacy have made him a symbol of Scottish resistance and independence."

Today, we climbed a monument dedicated to Wallace that was completed in 1869 during a phase when Scotland was rediscovering its national pride. The tower stands 220 feet high and has a total of 246 steps. The stone steps spiraled up with three rooms to stop, rest, and see historical displays. 

Our destination.

A free shuttle was offered to take us to the top of Abbey Craig on which the monument was built so the monument could be seen from miles around.

The Wallace Monument.

Wallace's sword. 

Wallace's coat of arms.

King Robert the Bruce 1274-1329. A rather handsome fellow!

A replica of King Robert the Bruce's sword.

There was an interactive area where you could make your own coat of arms and it would project onto a shield for a photo opt.

Paul's shield didn't photograph well.

Clare's coat of arms photographed the best.

Now we are getting to the top of the tower. 

It's at the top of the tower where the real story comes to life. From here, you can look down on the site of the Battle of Stirling Bridge; the fight that made William Wallace a hero.

Here is an AI summary of the battle: 

In the Battle of Stirling Bridge, Scottish forces led by William Wallace and Andrew Moray decisively defeated a larger English army on September 11, 1297. The Scots employed clever tactics, particularly utilizing the terrain around the bridge, to trap the English soldiers.

Here's a more detailed look at what happened:
Strategic Ambush:
The Scots allowed a portion of the English army to cross Stirling Bridge, then launched a surprise attack.

Terrain Advantage:
The loop of the river trapped the English soldiers, making it difficult for them to retreat or receive reinforcements.

Bridge Destruction:
While there's no definitive evidence of the bridge being deliberately destroyed, the Scots likely sabotaged it to prevent the English from escaping.

English Casualties:
Many English soldiers were killed, and many more drowned trying to swim back across the river.

Scottish Victory:
The battle resulted in a resounding Scottish victory, with the English army being driven from the battlefield.

Aftermath:
Andrew de Moray was mortally wounded and later died, while William Wallace was knighted and appointed Guardian of Scotland.

Edward I's Response:
Edward I of England personally led the next invasion of Scotland in 1298, seeking revenge for the defeat at Stirling Bridge.

On the right, William Wallace is on the cliff underlined in yellow. The Scottish soldiers are the yellow arrow. On the left, the British are watching from Stirling Castle. The British soldiers are trapped on the land tongue after crossing Stirling Bridge which is gone now as it was made of wood.

The yellow dot is the battle site.

This aerial photo helps.

Views in other directions.

Another view from the top.

Us at the top of the tower.

A statue of William Wallace as seen from the ground.

A carved bench on the path back to the car.

Let's close with a William Wallace quote:

"Aye, fight and you may die. Run, and you'll live... at least a while. And dying in your beds, many years from now, would you be willin' to trade ALL the days, from this day to that, for one chance, just one chance, to come back here and tell our enemies that they may take our lives, but they'll never take... OUR FREEDOM!"