Do You Remember Braveheart? Discover The Monument To William Wallace
When one takes a trip to Scotland there are many interesting things to see, and among the most prominent places in Scottish lands stands out the monument to William Wallace. It is located in the city of Stirling, just an hour by rail from Edinburgh.
Stirling is a town worth seeing. Here stands out the castle, his old prison … And of course, the main monument that was built in memory of the great Scottish liberator William Wallace, who was brought to fame thanks to the movie Braveheart . So let’s get to know this famous place that attracts so many tourists annually.
Discover the William Wallace monument
This monument was inaugurated in 1869. It is a large tower, about 67 meters high. Then, in its different floors, they explain the work and miracles of Wallace, who fought for the independence of Scotland.
This tower is on a hill, which is accessed from a minibus that is free. This route is made by groups of 20 people, being quite fast. In about 5 minutes you can be upstairs.
On the first floor you can find Wallace’s sword. It is of great size, because it is said that he was a man of considerable height. In a video they tell you the story of Robert de Bruce, who was his successor.
In the battle of Stirling, Wallace, with 16,000 men, he defeated an army of 50,000 men of King Edward I. Wallace’s victory made him a hero. Thus, with the support of the nobility, he was appointed guardian of Scotland. As those of you who saw the movie know, in the end he was betrayed.
On the second floor is what was called the Scottish Heroes Room. Here you can see the battles, inventions or discoveries made by various Scots. The third floor tells the story of how the monument was built. It was not without controversy, as it was difficult to agree on where it should be built.
Finally, you reach the rooftop of the William Wallace Monument. From its highest point you will be able to enjoy impressive views of the entire city, the castle and its River Forth.
The entrance to the monument is not cheap, around 8 euros. But if you visit the castle before, they will give you a small discount to access the tower. In this way you save something and later buy a souvenir of the visit.
Did William Wallace really exist?
Some people doubt that it was real and consider him a myth because of the little data that there is of his life. It is even doubted who his father was, if Sir Malcolm Wallace or “Le Waleis” the Welshman.
They say of his character that he was strong, but that he was a very cunning person with a great capacity for adaptation. A tall, well-built, handsome man with broad shoulders and bones. His gaze was wild, with great force.
Although it is not entirely clear what he was like, there are portraits of him. The representations that exist show us a man who wears a dragon helmet. But perhaps it’s a reference to Wallace’s Welsh origins.
In the film the story that is told is what is known about William Wallace. But it is also true that there are quite a few licenses at a historical level. Otherwise, it would not have been possible to make a true film in its entirety. Of course, there is no total agreement.
What we are sure of is that his story has transcended. For this reason, the film has seen many people a year visit the William Wallace Monument in Stirling. He has recognized a story that, although we do not know with certainty many facts, is full of charm for millions of people
If you want to know even more about this character in history, you cannot miss a visit to Stirling on your trip to Scotland. Visit the monument in his honor and travel the same lands that were the scene of his legendary battles.
