Day Trip: Wallace Monument

Everyone always thinks they want to see Stirling Castle, but once they get to the castle they look across the valley to the monument and say, 'What is that? Can we go there?'

Fast Facts:

• Distance from Edinburgh: 42 miles

• Using public transport: 1 hour and 42 minutes plus walking to get up the hill 

• History: While the Americans were fighting their Civil War in 1861, the Scottish couldn't agree where to erect a monument to their national hero, William Wallace. Glasgow was picked originally but Edinburgh folk were upset, so a compromise was made to build it in Stirling. It took 8 years and stands 219 ft tall. 

The view from the hill on which the Wallace Monument sits

reenactors in August acting out a scene from William Wallace's life

Pros:

• This is a great hike - in the summer it can be fun to make a day of it and picnic on the way or on top of the hill.

• There are many nature trails and parks in the area to explore

• There is a sword on display and some interesting information inside the monument

• Sometimes in the summer reenactors will perform outside

Cons:

• This is not a good activity for wet day or a cold day

• You have to be able to walk up the hill or at least up the winding staircases - if you take the bus up to the monument