The plans which led to the construction of the National Wallace Monument will go on display for the first time as part of celebrations around Stirling’s 900th anniversary.
The rare opportunity to study the plans will form the centrepiece of a double birthday celebration this week, with the city celebrating being 900 years old and it also being 155 years since the Wallace Monument had its grand opening on September 11, 1869.
The iconic landmark sits atop Abbey Craig and overlooks the city. From this Friday, a digitised version of the drawings from renowned Victorian architect John Thomas Rochead will be on public display for the first time at The Keeper’s Lodge, located on the Monument’s ground floor.
They are a replica of the fragile originals, preserved in Stirling Council’s archives, and will be free to view. The idea for a monument to William Wallace was first conceived in Stirling in 1850 and construction work began with the laying of a foundation stone, overlooking Scotland’s historic heartland in 1861.
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Stirling Council leader, Councillor Chris Kane, said: “This is a great year for Stirling, with our 900 celebrations in full swing and our much-loved National Wallace Monument continuing to attract impressive visitor numbers from both home and abroad.
“Stirling is an ambitious, forward-thinking city and, of course, we also cherish our world-class heritage offering.
“I know residents and visitors will also enjoy the opportunity to study the fascinating architectural drawings of the Monument.
“Rochead’s plans were submitted as part of a competition and his design was chosen from 106 entrants. The National Wallace Monument is not only a wonderful tribute to one of Scotland’s greatest patriots, William Wallace, but to the design brilliance of Rochead himself.”
The National Wallace Monument has welcomed more than 133,000 visitors from all around the world over the last 12 months, making it one of their busiest years in history.
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