The Wallace Monument: What do you really know?

Dr. Lachlan Munro

The celebration of the life and heroism of William Wallace has taken many forms, most dating back to the 18th century, and most notably celebrated in the works of Robert Burns, and later Sir Walter Scott. But by far the most ambitious enterprise to celebrate his fame - a monolithic stone structure overlooking Stirling - constantly teetered on the edge of disaster. A project that despite ecstatic enthusiasm at the start, turned into a national embarrassment.

Bizarrely, what has now become a symbol of Scottish national sovereignty and independence, started life as a symbol of the Union with England. Untold tensions and raging disputes got much worse as work progressed, when the money began to run out - leading to accusations of financial mismanagement, bankruptcy, and mental breakdowns.

The talk will examine earlier attempts to represent Wallace in stone throughout the country, and abroad, and look at the cast of characters, who despite violent disagreements, eventually saw the project through to completion.