The National Wallace Monument - Stirling - Scotland
April 30 2023 | Tagged: United Kingdom
On the trail of Scotland’s national hero William Wallace, I visit The National Wallace Monument in Stirling.
The National Wallace Monument stands atop Abbey Craig and opened on September 11th 1869, 572 years after William Wallace defeated the English at The Battle of Stirling Bridge, on September 11th 1297, Wallace's greatest battle, one which made him a national hero.
The location is fitting as it would have been from where Wallace would have watched the English advance and plan his attack. #WallaceMonument
William Wallace and the Battle of Stirling Bridge is romanticised in the movie "Braveheart".
William Wallace and the Battle of Stirling Bridge is romanticised in the movie "Braveheart".
The Battle of Stirling Bridge
The bridge as you see it today was built somewhere in the 1400s or 1500s, before then, there were just timber bridges with the most famous being the one when Sir William Wallace and Sir Andrew Moray defeated the English in what became known as The Battle of Stirling Bridge in 1297.
The Bridge was a strategic point in more ways than one.
The bridge was the only access point into Northern Scotland, which was controlled by Wallace.
The bridge was the only access point into Northern Scotland, which was controlled by Wallace.
From Abbey Craig, Wallace could watch with a bird's eye view and plan their attack.
The shape of the river played to the Scot's advantage.
Once the English had crossed the bridge, legend has it, that the Scots sabotaged the bridge preventing them from retreating who literally became sitting ducks.
The shape of the river played to the Scot's advantage.
Once the English had crossed the bridge, legend has it, that the Scots sabotaged the bridge preventing them from retreating who literally became sitting ducks.
You can see the Stirling Old Bridge from this angle, looking Back to the National Wallace Monument from Stirling Castle:
Wallace was appointed Guardian of Scotland and until his defeat at the Battle of Falkirk in July 1298.
Wallace was betrayed and in August 1305 was captured in Robroyston, near Glasgow, and handed over to King Edward I of England, who had him hanged, drawn and quartered for high treason though he declared he had never sworn allegiance to the English.
Monument to Wallace in the Necropolis in Glasgow:
Wallace was betrayed and in August 1305 was captured in Robroyston, near Glasgow, and handed over to King Edward I of England, who had him hanged, drawn and quartered for high treason though he declared he had never sworn allegiance to the English.
Monument to Wallace in the Necropolis in Glasgow:
Read more >> The Battle of Stirling Bridge
Visiting The National Wallace Monument
Tickets can be purchased online or at the monument itself, not at the small cafë below.
Access to the hiking trail which takes you to the top is to the right-hand side of the cafë.
Tickets give you access to the four upper levels within the Monument.
Each level is accessed by a spiral staircase and to reach the "crown", there are 246 steps.
The top can be closed in adverse weather.
The monument is open all year round from 10 am in Winter and 9:30 am in Summer and closes between 4 and 6 pm.
Access to the hiking trail which takes you to the top is to the right-hand side of the cafë.
Tickets give you access to the four upper levels within the Monument.
Each level is accessed by a spiral staircase and to reach the "crown", there are 246 steps.
The top can be closed in adverse weather.
The monument is open all year round from 10 am in Winter and 9:30 am in Summer and closes between 4 and 6 pm.
How to get to the National Wallace Monument:
I took a train out of Glasgow Queen Street Station to Stirling. I then walked. Simple.
But you can take a bus that goes past the bottom of the hill and then take the free complimentary minivan.
It's an easy walk to the bottom of the hill, then you can choose which path you want.
But you can take a bus that goes past the bottom of the hill and then take the free complimentary minivan.
It's an easy walk to the bottom of the hill, then you can choose which path you want.
Trail Map:
Complimentary Wallace Monument Shuttle Bus from the car park to the top:
Read more on the The National Wallace Monument website.