Wallace Monument

                                   (Not to be confused with the National Monument of Scotland in Edinburgh, below. 

                        The one in Edinburgh, not at all loved or revered - called some variation of a trashed  rocket ship)

The National Wallace Monument (generally known as the Wallace Monument) is a tower standing on the summit of Abby Craig, a hilltop near Stirling. It commemorates Sir William Wallace, the 13th century Scottish hero.

The tower was constructed following a fundraising campaign which accompanied a resurgence of Scottish national identity in the 19th century. In addition to public subscription, it was partially funded by contributions from a number of foreign donors. Completed in 1869 to the designs of architect John Thomas Rochesad at a cost of £18,000, the monument is a 220 foot sandstone tower, built in the Victorian gothic style. It stands on the Abbey Craig, a volcanic crag above Cambuskennrth Abby, from which Wallace was said to have watched the gathering of the army of King Edward I of England, just before the Battle of Stirling Bridge.

        A number of artifacts believed to belong to Wallace are on display inside the monument, including the Wallace Sword ,   and a 5 foot, 6 inch long claymore.  Inside is also a Hall of Heroes, a series of busts of famous Scots, effectively a small national Hall of Fame.  

A view down from the Tower grounds

Across the way, Sterling Castle, and mid-way below, Stirling Bridge

Wallace is thought to have stood here to watch the army of Edward I

as he prepared for the Battle of Stirling Bridge

The Wallace Tower is 220 feet tall, and has 246 steps in a narrow spiral staircase to reach the top. 

We climbed to the second floor - the first floor was a small ticket and souvenir area

There was a large, very high ceiling room with displays and several manikins.
 

The one below looks blurred.  Two reasons for this - one - poor lighting, and two, an automated scenario which had Wallace debating with the Crown's men

The automation consisted of darkening the room, and then projecting the speaking face on the manikin.  The pictured face was a motion picture.

Wallace was not pictured, only the Crown's men - we heard only his voice

The room was very spacious - you would think it was the only floor

A high vaulted ceiling

The Wallace Sword

Looking up the remaining stairway

We did not climb it

It was so narrow, two people could not pass.

It was so steep and tightly spiraled, folks coming down were dizzy

The landing at the bottom

The entrance

   The coat of arms

The famous statue of Wallace

The stone work and carving is magnificent

    I particularly liked the carved rope work on the Tower

Catch the courtesy buss to be bottom of this tall hill, and we're on out way to the next stop

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