Panoramic view Abbey Craig Wallace Monument 2003
Hi everybody, what about a deep breath of fresh air after all these pages of dark and bloody history ?
The weather was threatening when we visited Wallace Monument but don’t do as we did, staying inside instead of climbing up to the top of the tower to get a panoramic view of the place !
Get equipped with a good parka, like most of our Scottish friends are, and fear no wind or bad weather, they’re part of the game ! And even if, like me, you feel terribly dizzy when looking down from a big height, try making a habit of climbing up any you happen to find on your way … hills and mountains, monuments, towers, castles, even the gondola or the big wheel will do for that matter… landscapes are breathtaking in Scotland and to see them from above is one of the best way to discover them… believe me it’s worth the effort !
Ochill Hills view from Wallace Monument 2007
River Forth from Wallace Monument 2007
Once on top of Wallace Monument look northward to see how the Ochill Hills are towering above Stirling fertile valley and notice southward the river Forth curving spectacularly on its meandering way towards the Firth of Forth. Of course you’ve already found Stirling castle on the lively map which unveils in front of you. Like Edinburgh Castle, it dominates the town from the height of its volcanic rock, a very interesting place indeed this old castle and well worth the visit. We’ll come back there soon to see how, in olden times, the chief cook and his team did manage to get through the big task of preparing a medieval menu for the king and his court. We’ll also watch weavers at work on a magnificent and unique piece of arts and crafts composed of a series of five tapestries called “The Hunt of the Unicorn”. This reproduction of an old masterpiece is going to ornate soon the walls of the castle rooms as it would have been in the 16th century… that alone is well worth the trip.
Mind ! don’t play the fool while going round the area, the King of Scotland and William Wallace are guarding the place forever… see the majestic stone figure of Robert the Bruce looking from the Castle esplanade at that of Wallace brandishing his big sword on the wall of the Monument.
‘Ce n’est qu’un au-revoir’ but before going and turning this historical page let us cross once more the old Stirling bridge where the
Bannockburn took place a long time ago, on June 24 th, 1314.
We are going to cross many other beautiful old bridges in our tour of Scotland but this one is truly mythical…and it’s a Scottish landmark.
Old Stirling Bridge
Old Stirling Bridge
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