William Wallace Was Here!!!!

Today was long, still a little blue I stumbled through the day, glad when I couldleave to office and head home. En route I took a detour to get out of the traffic hell and to re-shoot yesterdays initial Blip. This is the Wallace memorial in Elderslie, reputed to be on the site of the house where Wallace was born. The monument was unveiled in September 1912 by Sir Thomas Glen Coats, designed by Mr.J.C.Murray it is 37 feet high and the base is 20 feet above street level.

Every August the Wallace Day parade takes place, with a march from Johnstone town centre to the Monument at Elderslie, where a service takes place. William Wallace, the great Scottish hero led the struggle for Scotland's independence from English rule at the end of the 13th century, is said to have been born in Elderslie around 1270 and educated by the monks of nearby Paisley Abbey.

This striking fine stone monument topped with a crown serves as an interesting piece of local history. Behind the monument used to stand some stone buildings that were known locally as Wallace's house or Wallace's Castle but sadly these were demolished in 1973. They were built in the 16th century, but on the site of a much older building which was said to be Wallace's home.

I hope you enjoy the shot and the little history, not the Hollywood version with that Australian actor and mock Scots accent. There are several reliefs set in bronze on the sides of the monument , if you are in the area it is really worth making a little effort to see.