The Wallace Monument

stands proud above the River Forth in bright September sunshine..

On 11 September 1297, an army jointly led by William Wallace and Andrew Moray won the Battle of Stirling Bridge. Although vastly outnumbered, the Scottish army routed the English army. The narrowness of the bridge prevented many soldiers from crossing together so while the English soldiers crossed, the Scots held back until half of them had passed and then killed the English as quickly as they could cross. A pivotal charge, led by one of Wallace's captains, caused some of the English soldiers to retreat as others pushed forward, and under the overwhelming weight, the bridge collapsed and many English soldiers drowned.