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Visit to Wallace Monument (Part 2) from Appletree Self Catering Cottage Loch Lomond

5/11/2018

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The Descent down Wallace Way

National Wallace Monument
Terrace at the entrance to the National Wallace Monument
Having spent a good amount of time on the viewing floor at the top of the National Wallace Monument (see photo) we made our way back down the 246 steps and out onto the terrace below. 

The sun was still up and the views across Stirling and the surrounding countryside were terrific.

On the west side of the terrace a the path leads back to the Visitor Centre where our car was parked.  The path is called Wallace Way...
Wallace National Monument
Viewing floor under the crown of the National Wallace Monument
The path down is reasonably steep but is surfaced with tarmac and quite suitable for those with a wee one in a buggy.
 
The Wallace Way has been adorned with wood carvings created by Iain Chalmers.  The walk takes visitors on a journey through time to learn more about Stirling's fascinating history.

As we are descending the hill we seeing the sculptures in reverse order – going back in time.
 
The first carving up is an excellent representation of the National Wallace Monument standing about 7ft tall (2.1m) and carved from a single piece of wood.
Wallace Way, Wallace Monument
Mind your heads - low flying aircraft...
Further on down the hill is an image of a pilot holding the propeller of his aircraft.  This is in celebration of Frank and Harold Barnwell who were born in Lewisham, London and moved to Balfron aged 2.  They set up the Grampian Engineering and Motor Company in Causwayhead (just at the foot of the hill) in 1907 and produced their first aircraft there in 1908.  However they had problems getting their aircraft airborne.  It wasn’t until 1909 that they managed to fly to the recorded height of 13ft (3.9m) – landing after 80 yards in a field near Caurwayhead.  This short hop was Scotland’s first powered flight.
Wallace Way, Wallace Monument
One of the Barnwell brothers with an aircraft propeller

Next we encounter a couple of busts – of King Robert the Bruce and Robert Burns reminding us to visit the Hall of Heroes Chamber in the Monument. 

The Hall of Heros is a large room in the tower of the Wallace Monument containing a large number of busts of Scottish heroes from the past (please see previous blog)


A railway locomotive and wagon are the next creations we pass.  Kids seem to love climbing on board.  The train is to commemorate the  small railway which was built to ferry the stone from Abbey Craig Quarry to the monument during construction.

Wallace Way, Wallace Monument
Robert Burns (L) and King Robert the Bruce (R)
Wallace Way, Wallace Monument
A train as used in construction of the monument
At the junction of the footpath and the minibus route there is a carving celebrating the Battle of Stirling Bridge (1297)  William Wallace’s tactic at the Battle of Stirling Bridge was aided by the narrowness of the bridge at the time.  Only two horses could pass each other.  This meant that it took ages for the English army to cross the bridge heading northwards.  When more than half the English army had crossed the bridge Wallace sprung the trap and surrounded them on the north bank of the Forth whilst at the same time blocking their escape over the bridge.  This resulted in slaughter and a bloody victory for Wallace.
Wallace Way, Wallace Monument
Stirling Bridge and the Seal of Stirling - or is it an otter?
One impressive thing about these sculptures is that many, if not all, appear to be fashioned from a single piece of timber.
Other carvings on the route represent  the flora and fauna of the area, a bench with three characters carved sitting on it – a Roman a Pict and a Viking.  The heads are missing so visitors may stand behind and place their own heads at the top of the mannequins for photographic purposes.  A man holding a hammer above a modern looking anvil depicts Scotland’s First Metalworkers
Wallace Way, Wallace Monument
Someone's head's fallen off?
Wallace Way, Wallace Monument
Metal worker in action
Semi domesticated animals - comprising a sheep, a pig and a very nice pair of highland cows remind us of Scotland’s first farmers.  
Wallace Way
A pig
Wallace Way
Cattle
A large whale sculpture tells us that whales abounded in 5000bc whilst a collection of wild animals including a bear take us back to the ice age 10,000 years ago.
Wallace Way
A whale
Wallace Way
Animals from the ice age?
More information about the Wallace Way can be found here: https://www.nationalwallacemonument.com/the-monument/the-abbey-craig/woodcarvings/
By this point we are back at the visitor centre where we’ve parked our car. 
 
Had we had more time we could have explored some of the many other paths and trails on Abbey Craig – all of which are free.  However it was nearly time to go home.
 

Corrieris Cafe, Causwayhead

Just before going home though we popped into one of our favourite cafes which lies adjacent to the roundabout at the foot of the hill:  Correris.  An Italian ice cream parlour and Italian restaurant founded 40 years ago and still producing excellent food and friendly service.  More about Correri’s can be found here: http://www.corrieris.co.uk
Highly recommended!!

Appletree Self Catering Cottage, Loch Lomond


After a beautifully cooked meal we drove the 35 minutes back to Appletree Cottage:
Self Catering Loch Lomond
Appletree Luxury Self Catering Cottage
Appletree Cottage - luxury fully en-suite catering for eight people situated in the beautiful  Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park
Find out more about us at www.lomondappletree.co.uk
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Visit to National Wallace Monument from Appletree Cottage, Loch Lomond

5/11/2018

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Luxury self catering Loch LomondAppletree Cottage

It’s another  beautiful day at Appletree Cottage Loch Lomond  so we decide to visit the

National Wallace Monument  near Stirling

The journey by car takes just over half an hour: from Croftamie we get onto the A811 towards Stirling.  Once in Stirling we follow signs for Causewayhead and Bridge of Allan.

National Wallace Monument visit from Appletree Cottage
Wallace Monument high on Abbey Craig
At the roundabout at Causeway head we turn up the hill (just before Correllie’s excellent restaurant and ice cream parlour.)
We follow the road up the hill and park in the free car park at the visitor centre.

Tickets to climb the monument can be bought either at the visitor centre or at the foot of the tower itself. 
National Wallace Monument Visitor Centre
Visitor Centre and Cafe with Shuttle Minibus on the right
There is a free minibus shuttle service from the visitor centre up to the base of the monument – even for those without tickets.
 
If you prefer not to take the minibus the fifteen minute walk along the steep tarmac path up through the woods  is enjoyable – not least because of the  many wooden sculptures designed by Iain Chalmers along the way – more about them later.
National Wallace Monument Entrance
Free courtesy bus arrives at the Monument
Wallace National Monument
Looking up at the monument from the terrace
In the end some of us took the bus up,  Some walked.   We all walked back down.
William Wallace
William Wallace statue on the side of the tower above the gatehouse
Once we arrived at the base of the monument the views were already terrific over the Fourth Valley towards looking south over Stirling to the castle and westwards over the village of Bridge of Allan
William Wallace Monument
Panoramic views from the terrace at the foot of the monument are terrific - no ticket required.

Inside the National Wallace Monument

On entering the monument there is the ticket counter (but we had already bought our tickets at the visitors centre (less of queue).
To the right there is a room with a snack machine  – along with a model of the battle of Stirling Bridge. 
To the left is a well stocked gift shop.

We chose to make our ascent straight away and so started the long climb up the staircase next to the shop.
Picture
A well stocked gift shop awaits visitors
Picture
Part of the model representing the Battle of Stirling Bridge
Wallace Monument stair
Spiral stairway inside the monument (looking down) - just wide enough for two people to pass each other comfortably.
Picture



The stone spiral stair although narrow is wide enough for people to pass each other comfortably.

There are slit windows all the way up which throw light on the steps as well as providing tempting glimpses of view which get ever better as we ascend.

There are 246 steps in total and the monument is 220ft (67m) high

Fortunately the climb is punctuated by three large chambers.....

The Hall of Arms


After a short climb we come to the first room – The Hall of Arms.
This large room with its high vaulted ceiling contains an exhibition of the remarkable life of William Wallace and his victory at the Battle of Stirling Bridge  There are video enactments information boards and many artefacts around the room.
There was a good amount of stained glass commissioned with the building in the monument and the windows of this chamber and the ones above testify to the skill of craftsmanship employed.
Hall of Arms, Wallace Monument
Inside the Hall of Arms which depicts stories of William Wallace's victory at the Battle of Stirling Bridge There are dramatised video displays, maps, plans and illustrations of weaponry and armour of the period
Hall of Arms, Wallace Monument
Peroid chain mail costume
Wallace Monument stained glassStained glass window in Hall of Arms chamber

Hall of Heroes


After a good browse around we climb the stairs again and this time arrive at the Hall of Heroes – an identical vaulted space to the Hall of Arms but this time with a collection of busts of famous Scots – poets, writers and inventors who transformed the story of Wallace into the legend we know today.  Quite fascinating.
Also within the Hall of Heroes is a replica of Wallace's sword - nearly 7ft long - a huge thing to manhandle.
Hall of Heros
Busts of some of Scotland's heroes and the Wallace Sword adorn the Hall of Heros

The Royal Chamber


Details about the monument are fascinating – for example that it was built for £13,000 with walls 1.5 meters thick at the top and 15meters (yes 15 meters!) thick at the bottom.
The design was put out to competition and 106 entries were received.  Unfortunately only the runner up entry plan and J.T. Rochead’s winning design survive on paper.
Construction began in 1861 with private subscription.  It took eight years to build with local stone from Abbey Craig until completion in 1869
The sighting of the structure on Abbey Craig is significant for a few reasons –
1. It was midway between Edinburgh and Glasgow – each city was vying to have the monument within their boundary.
2. Abbey Craig is supposed to be the point from which Wallace is supposed to have surveyed the lie of the land prior to the battle of Stirling Bridge and the place where he and his men camped the night before the battle.
A summary of the Battle of Stirling Bridge can be found here: https://www.nationalwallacemonument.com/sir-william-wallace/
 
Wallace himself came to a nasty end in London being hung, drawn and quartered on the orders of his old adversary Edward 1st of England. In 1305.  His sword however survives and a replica can be seen in the hero’s chamber of the monument.

National Wallace Monument design
There are details of the runner-up entry for the design of Wallace Monument along with other interesting information about the tower's construction.
After the Royal Chamber we make our final climb up to the top of the structure – thus completing the full eight of the 246 steps to the top.
 
At the top the narrow spiral staircase opens out into the sky and a walk way around all four sides of the building.
Top of Wallace Monument
The spiral stair opens out to a walkway around all four sides of the tower


At the top of the National Wallace Monument


At the end of this walkway are the final steps to the top and inside the crown.  The crown is a massive stone structure of columns – rather like flying buttresses all  which run form each corner and half way along each side of the viewing platform and rising up majestically to meet at the apex.

Crown of the Wallace Monument
Like flying buttresses the pillars rise to meet the apex of the crown. Over exposure can happen in various ways at the top to take a warm jumper and a decent camera!
The views to the north, south, east and west are all stunning – and the clearer the day the better.
To the west Ben Lomond on the shore of Loch Lomond can be made out.
Crown of Wallace Monument
Apex of the crown
View from Wallace Monument
Looking North over the white buildings of the University of Stirling
View from Wallace Monument
Looking south the city of Stirling and Stirling Castle
View from Wallace Monument
Looking east seeing the river Fourth flow out to the Firth of Fourth
View form Wallace Monument
Looking to the west towards Ben Lomond

To the east the river Fourth mianders towards the more open waters of the estuary. Grangemouth and Alloa were clearly visible on the day we were there and we thought we might be able to just see one of the towers of the new Fourth Bridge.
To the north lies the white buildings of the University of Stirling with the Ochils rising above it.
To the south far below us is the city of Stirling with the castle clearly rising above the old town.
There can be quite a breeze at the top so its worth considering whether to take a coat or hat & scarf.

Picture
Wallace Monument in dusk as seen by a wobbly camera operator!

After about twenty minutes of viewing from the top we decided to make our way back down again and make our way westwards and home to Appletree Cottage.
This took us down the Wallace Way and to Correri's excellent restaurant / cafe.
Please see our next blog!
Picture
Appletree Cottage - high quality fully en-suite self catering for eight people.
Appletree Cottage - luxury fully en-suite catering for eight people situated in the beautiful  Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park
Find out more about us at www.lomondappletree.co.uk
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  • HOME
  • SEE INSIDE
    • Why Appletree is fantastic!
  • STEP OUTSIDE
    • Local shops, pubs & eateries
    • About Shandon Farm
  • THINGS TO DO
    • Highland games dates
  • BOOK HERE!
  • ACCESSIBILITY
  • CONTACT US
  • BLOG & INFO