Granite memorial to freedom fighter

Work has begun on a permanent memorial to Sir William Wallace on the spot where he was chained before being taken to London more than seven centuries ago.

The granite sculpture in the shape of a tree trunk will form the centrepiece of the tribute in Port Glasgow, Inverclyde, where the medieval freedom fighter is said to have been chained to an oak following his capture by the English in August 1305.

Known as the Wallace Oak and “the tree where Wallace bled”, it stood in the grounds of what is now the Holy Family Church until 1995, when it fell in a storm.

The Society of William Wallace has spent more than two years raising funds for the £16,000 memorial, which is likely to be unveiled in October.