Iconic Wallace monument to get a £500,000 makeover for 150th birthday
The National Wallace Monument is to undergo a £500,000 makeover before its 150th anniversary next year.
The iconic landmark, built as a tribute to 13th-century freedom fighter Sir William Wallace, has been prioritised for restoration by Stirling Council and Stirling District Tourism after a building condition survey revealed “areas of immediate concern”. Parts of the 220ft tall Victorian Gothic tower, including the keeper’s lodge chimney and the Wallace statue, were identified as being in need of work.
The council has approved £515,000 to address the problems, which include water ingress, before the 150th anniversary celebrations.
The most significant work will involve the 14ft statue of Wallace that has looked over Stirling from the external wall for a century. The bronze will be removed for four months for specialist restoration costing £280,000.
Work is expected to start on the monument and statue this month.
Stirling Council leader Scott Farmer said: “This decision will safeguard the Wallace monument’s future by giving it some TLC ahead of its 150th anniversary celebrations next year.
“The word ‘iconic’ gets bandied about but I don’t think there’s a better way to describe the National Wallace Monument.
“Wallace’s story is integral to the history of Scotland and the monument is equally important to the fabric of Stirling, so it is right that we take the necessary steps to ensure it is fit, safe and secure for those who quite rightly come from all over the world to see it.”
The National Wallace Monument opened in 1869. designed by Glasgow architect John Thomas Rochead, it was constructed on the Abbey Craig overlooking Stirling at a cost of £18,000.
The statue of Wallace was made by Edinburgh sculptor David Watson Stephenson.
The monument is one of Scotland’s most popular landmarks, last year attracting a record 135,000 visitors – many of whom climbed the 246 spiral steps to the open air crown on top.