Remembering that it is at the National Wallace Monument.
Is this a fitting tribute to Wallaces' memory or is it 'Hype' to appeal to the tourists.
Does it encourage you or put you off?
NOTE More text below the pictures.
Tomorrow is the 700th anniversary of the Battle of Stirling Bridge where William Wallace soundly
trounced the English army. (You will find a link to a very well researched and written description of the battle by Robert Gunn
at the foot of this page.)
I was amazed to read in our local paper 'The Stirling Observer' that a statue that was supposed to be of William
Wallace was in fact Mel Gibson. Many local people, via the paper, are very angry at the decision of the Tourist Board to
erect this statue at the car park of the National Wallace Monument.
The whole issue is becoming very heated in the local area with little said being complimentary.
Absolutely no one is criticising Mel Gibson or Braveheart---simply the crass decision to, as one local resident said (Not too politely) "desecrate the main
memorial to Wallace with a lump of c--p" !!!
What do you think? Please e-mail me on the link below and let me know.
JANUARY 1998 The debate goes on. Recent letters in the local press have continued to
be highly critical of the statue and have called for its removal.
SEPTEMBER 1998 The statue is now wrapped up in a roped tarpaulin. It's face has been removed to the sculptor for repair after is was deliberately defaced with a hammer in protest at the insult to wallace.
JULY 1999 The statue complete with 'new face' is now kept behind a locked 'cage'. Presumable to deter further protest.
The Battle of Stirling Bridge: By Robert Gunn