The National Wallace Monument was the setting for the launch of the RBS 6 Nations Roadshows 2012, which was kicked off by Scotland centre Graeme Morrison on Monday the 23rd of January.
The RBS 6 Nations Roadshow initiative aims to reward rugby clubs across Scotland which have been performing well in their respective leagues and to recognise the work they do in their local communities to support the game at club level. At each venue members of the local community and rugby fans are invited to come along to take part in a Q&A session with current and former Scotland international players who share their unique experiences at the highest level of the game. Fans also have the chance to get even closer to the action and to have their photo taken with the famous RBS 6 Nations Trophy.
To find out more about the RBS partnership with Scottish Rugby visit:
A new series of ‘The True Story’ is now being broadcast on Discovery Channel UK - and has commenced with a film about the blockbuster movie ‘Saving Private Ryan’. The life and the achievements of Sir William Wallace will be in the spotlight on Sunday 15th January 2012 in ‘Braveheart - The True Story’, directed by Sean Smith. For further details see: www.discoveryuk.com
On 26th and 27th November 2011 Stirling Amateur Radio Society set up a special base within the National Wallace Monument, with the callsign GB0SA to celebrate St. Andrew's Day, to raise the profile of the Monument and of Stirling as visitor destination, and of course the club and the hobby. The society was demonstrating how the hobby offers great fun in playing with radios and computers and in developing technical DIY skills, whilst communicating with people from many countries and cultures. Visitors were able to see how the society was making contact from the Monument with other amateur radio enthusiasts from all across the world.
Stirling District Amateur Radio Society is a relaxed and friendly club interested in all aspects of radio communications, and has been established for 40 years. Its members build radios and antennas, and operate all kinds of radio equipment and communication modes, with the aim of making contact with people all over the world. The club has approximately 40 members of all ages and is very active - organising 2-3 trips away a year, regular social events, and entries into the major radio contests. Meetings are held on Thursday nights from 7.00pm and on Sundays from 11.00am in the club’s premises at Bandeath Industrial Estate, Throsk. For further information, see www.gm6nx.com
Visitors to Frankie & Benny’s Restaurant at Forthside in Stirling had a surprise recently when they discovered that it wasn’t just the normal serving staff meeting and greeting them when they arrived for a meal, but there was an extra member of the team - one of the costumed actors who provide regular presentations for visitors at The National Wallace Monument. Whilst choosing from the menu or in between courses, diners were able to hear about some of the special events which take place at the Monument, or find out what the men who fought with William Wallace would have been having to eat back in the Middle Ages!
On Sunday 30th October cancer survivor Sheena Stourbridge (from Aberfeldy, in Perthshire) had a very special encounter at The National Wallace Monument - with the man who saved her life.
Sheena, 56, and Mark Quinn, who lives in Newmilns, completed a sponsored walk from their respective homes, which finished at the Monument, which is the setting for an annual fund-raising abseil for Anthony Nolan.
Mark, 43, said:
“Sheena and I both wanted to do something for Anthony Nolan, to give something back. We decided on a sponsored walk from our own front doors until we met in the middle, at the Wallace Monument.”
Sheena was diagnosed with leukaemia in 1997, but managed the disease with drug treatment until the start of 2006, when doctors told her that she would need a stem cell, or bone marrow, transplant in the next six months. When Sheena’s sister was found not to be a match, she turned to the Anthony Nolan register to find an unrelated donor.
Mark had joined the register in November 2005, and it was just six months later that he was told that he was a perfect match for a patient. He donated in June 2006, but due to strict anonymity rules knew nothing about the person he had helped. It wasn’t until March 2010 that Sheena made contact, and they met up for the first time earlier this year.
Sheena says,
“It was a very emotional occasion – to meet the person who selflessly saved my life was very special.”
Sheena and Mark decided to walk from their own front doors and meet in the middle, both to mark their new friendship and to raise awareness and funds for Anthony Nolan.
Scotland’s hillforts are amongst the most visible ancient monuments in the landscape; they are often large, in very prominent locations and are both physically and intellectually accessible. The majority of these hillforts are recognised to be of national significance, yet most of them remain under researched.
In October the Norwegian rock group "The Maudlin Hounds" played a mini-tour in Scotland with Glasgow-based band Crackerman, and made The National Wallace Monument a stop on their sightseeing agenda! It certainly caught their attention - and to quote one band member “We were amazed how beautiful it is. It was the coolest thing and we loved it”. Talking about their trip to Scotland, they said “This was one of the highlights. It was really awesome. Yea, and we did climb the 246 steps to the top of the tower and it was a breathtaking view, beautiful and very impressive. Stirling is a lovely city and when we return in May we promise we'll be visiting again. We're hooked on Scotland”
They also found time for a break in Legends Coffee House - where they received a warm welcome and enjoyed “the best coffee we could ever imagine”.
For more information on The Maudlin Hounds - go to www.maudlinhounds.com
From April to September The Monument is the setting for regular live performances by costumed actors – bringing Sir William Wallace and the characters of his time to life. Listen to the story of The Battle of Stirling Bridge, or even have your photograph taken with a Scottish warrior from the 14th Century!
...visitors to The Monument would have been able to take some refreshment as they climbed up the hill towards the tower, if they stopped off at the Monument’s famous Tea Room, and perhaps enjoyed a seat at a table on the veranda.
Unfortunately - the story of the Monument’s original Tea Room has never been recorded, but the site where it once stood can clearly be seen at the bend in the roadway, near the pathway used by visitors following The Abbey Trail, or making their way towards the Stirling Viewpoint.
It is believed that the Tea Room (the interior which was understood to have featured a dramatic painting recreating the scene of The Battle of Stirling Bridge) fell into disrepair during (or after) World War II, and was obviously never re-opened, but demolished at some time thereafter. Sadly, the famous painting of the battle scene, completed for the 600th Anniversary of the Battle, in 1897, was discarded in the 1940s. It was the work of Robert William Brown, a master painter who lived in Stirling at 33 Friar Street, and happily a postcard of the work survives, and can be seen on the SCRAN Web Site (www.scran.ac.uk).
This wonderful colour picture of the original Tea Room has been kindly provided by the Wilson family of Ontario (Canada) and Wallacestone (Scotland).
Hop on a train and make tracks for Stirling to enjoy a great day out.
With ScotRail’s fantastic Kids Go Free tickets, up to two children can travel free with every adult, on off-peak trains, all week.
PLUS - there’s free admission for children(*) at Stirling’s famous National Wallace Monument and fascinating Old Town Jail.
There’s lots to explore and enjoy in Stirling, from the incredible buildings in the city’s Old Town, through to first-class shopping in the Thistle Centre, and a choice of great family-friendly restaurants.
Plan your day out in Stirling now - and for further information on ScotRail’s great Kids Go Free tickets, CLICK HERE.
(*) - One free child’s admission with each adult paying the standard charge.
The Fireworks Display on Monday 2nd August 2010 which marked the end of the 'mFEST' arts festival at the macrobert centre in Stirling, was a huge success - spectacularly lighting up the night sky behind the Monument, and the colourful show was enjoyed by an excited audience watching from the University of Stirling campus. Some of the striking images can be viewed in the gallery by clicking here.
On St. Andrew’s Day the winner of STV’s ‘Greatest Scots’ programme was announced - Scotland’s national poet Robert Burns, whose birth 250 years ago has been marked with a series of special events the length and breadth of the country in 2009. Sir William Wallace’s status in Scotland as a true patriot and martyr was recognised in the results of the public vote - as he was voted into 2nd place from the 35 finalists, a close runner up. Not a bad achievement more than 700 years after Wallace’s execution!
View STV’s William Wallace nomination
Whether you want to enjoy a ramble in the woods, or take a bracing walk, there's lots to explore and discover on The Abbey Craig!
From the front of The Monument you can follow the trails using the special waymarkers.
The pathways in and around The Abbey Craig have all been upgraded, to make it even easier to explore this area, and to enjoy the wonderful views. You can also download a special map to help you follow the paths - CLICK HERE.
