The National Wallace Monument

Don’t pass up the opportunity to see Stirling from a bird’s eye view at the National Wallace Monument! Built to commemorate Scotland’s national hero William Wallace, this tower has become as much a part of the landscape as the Ochil hills, and the view from the ‘crown’ at the top is second to none. With the whole of Stirling laid out beneath you for miles and miles, you can see the very place where William Wallace fought for Scottish independence on Stirling Bridge, and where independence was later won by Robert the Bruce at the Battle of Bannockburn, years after Wallace’s execution at the hands of the English.

Built between 1861-1869 when the Victorian era saw a resurgence in interest in Scottish history, the monument also contains the famous sword rumoured to have belonged to Wallace and left behind when he was held captive at Dumbarton Castle in 1305. This amazing location is well worth a visit and definitely something worth adding to your Stack if you’re visiting Stirling!

Close to Stirling itself, as well as the charming Victorian spa town of Bridge of Allen, there are plenty of places to eat at or explore after you visit the Wallace Monument. Why not wander through town or visit The MacRobert Arts Centre at Stirling University? Or if you want to expand your knowledge of Stirling’s history even further, climb up to its incredible castle or take a walking tour around Old Town.

• Open 9.30 am-5 pm every day, with modified opening times in the winter (10 am-4 pm)
• Closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day
• Tickets are £10.75 for adults, £8.75 for concessions (students and seniors), and £6.75 for children
• Family tickets range from £28.25 to £35 depending on group size