Friends of The National Wallace Monument

NEWSLETTER 2 - SUMMER 2007

The 2007 season got off to a busy start at The Monument - with visitors taking advantage of the fine weather during the Easter holiday period to get out and about and enjoy the many attractions in the city of Stirling.

Whilst visitors since then have not always enjoyed bright sunshine - The Monument has been consistently busy, underlining its popularity with both local residents and with holidaymakers from right around the world visiting the Stirling area - all of whom can enjoy the attraction and the panoramic views which it offers across the countryside.

A comment frequently made by visitors to The Monument is that they never realised how much there was to see and do inside the main tower - until they actually make a visit and discover the exhibition galleries and displays. A new cutaway drawing which literally "opens up" The Monument was therefore prepared for the main 2007 brochure, giving readers an inside view of the tower before they arrive.

“Our brochure has a really important job to do in communicating information about The Monument to prospective visitors” according to Ken Thomson, Stirling District Tourism’s Marketing Manager. “The cutaway drawing really helps therefore in showing exactly what there is to see and do when visitors come to see the attraction”.

375,000 copies of the brochure have been printed for the 2007 season, with distribution being handled by Edinburgh-based EAE and by VisitScotland, making sure that it is available at other attractions, in local hotels etc., and at tourist information centres. The brochure is also available to download from The National Wallace Monument Web Site (www.nationalwallacemonument.com).

Stirling Council’s Countryside Service is currently involved in reinstating pathways on The Abbey Craig which had become overgrown and unsafe over the years. The work will mean that visitors coming to The Monument will be able to use different routes when walking between The Car Park and The Monument, and enjoy different views and outlooks at the same time. The new pathways will also help in separating pedestrians from the main roadway, thus improving safety levels for all visitors to The Monument.

Wallace Actor The National Wallace Monument will once again be hosting a programme of special dramatic presentations to mark the anniversary of William Wallace's execution in 1305. These unique performances, enhanced by live traditional Scottish music, give visitors a special insight into important episodes in Wallace's life.

Freedom (retelling the thoughts of a soldier after The Battle of Stirling Bridge), Wilderness (in which Wallace talks with his lifelong friend and confessor, the Dominican monk John Blair), and Wallace's Heel will be performed every day between 10:00am and 3:30pm.

As the company responsible for the operation of The National Wallace Monument (which is carried out in conjunction with VisitScotland), Stirling District Tourism Limited wishes to ensure that the experience which visitors have when they come to The Monument matches their expectations as closely as possible, and a number of different tools are used by the company to provide feedback on quality and standards. A new Visitor Survey Form has been in use since the beginning of this year, and is providing valuable information both on visitor profiles and opinions, enabling The Monument's management team to make decisions which will improve the overall visitor experience.

On Sunday 16th September The Monument will welcome Clackmannan District Brass Band, performing in concert from 2:00pm - a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the classic sounds of one of Scotland's best-known brass bands.

There are few venues which offer a setting as distinctive as The National Wallace Monument for special events. As well as wedding ceremonies and the renewal of marriage vows, The Monument regularly hosts private visits for groups, including conference delegates visiting Stirling. These normally take place in the evening (after The Monument has closed to individual visitors), and can feature a special performance by the costumed actors who re-create episodes from Wallace's life, hospitality in The Coffee Shop at The Monument, and souvenir gifts or mementos for visitors.

For further information on special events, please contact The Monument on (01786) 472140.

Visit our website www.nationalwallacemonument.com

For all National Wallace Monument Enquiries & Information, please call: 01786 472140