The National Wallace Monument — Attraction in Great Britain

This is an absolute outstanding Scottish National Treasure and wonderfully iconic in the heartlands of Scotland's origins and this place is riddled with great history everywhere you look and you can feel and sense it. The Monument was built in the period of the 1860s in tribute to the Great Scottish National Hero William Wallace and is an outstanding tribute to him as the architecture is amazing and the Monument is excellently iconic and sits brilliantly on the Abbey Craig and dominates the skyline above the city of Stirling. There are 4 floors to this great icon and these are The Hall of Arms, The Hall of Heroes, The Royal Chamber and The Crown. The Hall of Arms is the room you climb the steps to the top of the Monument and in The Hall of Arms there is a short film about William Wallace and how he rose to prominence in leading the Scottish Armies into Battle in 1297 and his importance to Scottish Heritage and in the Hall of Arms you can see the legendary Wallace Sword. The Hall of Heroes is the second room as you climb to top of the Monument and in The Hall of Heroes you can see the busts and information displays of man and women who have been celebrated as Scottish Heroes over the years and its a fittingly brilliant to these people and the examples of the people on display are Sir Walter Scott, Robert Burns, David Livingstone and Robert the Bruce amongst others and the information displays details their achievements during their lives and also the story of it and it makes for a thoroughly enthralling read. The Royal Chamber is the third room you come to as you climb to to the top of the Monument and in The Royal Chamber it shows displays of what Stirling was like during Wallace's time and there are displays about The Battle of Stirling Bride and how it was fought and won and also you can have the opportunity to design your own coat of arms for your own shield which is great interactive fun. The Crown is the top of the Monument and is the final thing you come to and at The Crown you can enjoy breathtakingly Picturesque views of Stirling, The Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park and the Firth of Forth towards Falkirk and Grangemouth and you can see the area where Scotlands most famous battles such as The Battle of Bannockburn and Stirling Bridge were fought. After you have finished with the Monument you can wander around the Abbey Craig Woodland which is wonderfully idyllic and secluded and further spectacular views of the local area . There is a cafe at the Base of the Abbey Craig selling a great range of refreshments at reasonable prices and the Tower Shop sells a great range of souvenirs at reasonable prices. Overall this is an absolutely first class and out of this world place to visit and makes for a truly brilliant experience and one that lives in the memory for a long time. Definitely an attraction well worth a visit whilst...

If you’re looking for a Scottish landmark that combines breathtaking views, a solid cardio workout, and a deep dive into medieval heroism, the National Wallace Monument in Stirling is an absolute gem. Perched on Abbey Craig overlooking the historic battlefield where William Wallace led his famous victory at Stirling Bridge in 1297, this towering tribute to the legendary freedom fighter literally walks you through Scotland’s turbulent past. And I mean that quite literally, with a pun fully intended! My family and I tackled the monument’s iconic spiral staircase, all 246 steps of it, and emerged at the top feeling both exhilarated and educated. The ascent isn’t just a physical challenge. It’s cleverly divided into themed galleries that unfold Wallace’s story layer by layer. Starting at the base, you’re immersed in artifacts like replicas of medieval swords (including a massive claymore said to represent Wallace’s own) and interactive displays on the Wars of Scottish Independence. As you climb higher, the exhibits evolve, covering everything from Wallace’s daring exploits against English forces to his enduring legacy in Scottish culture. We particularly loved the rich array of historical artifacts scattered throughout. Think ancient documents and armor pieces. It’s not overwhelming. Instead, it’s engaging and well-curated, with audio guides available to add context without spoiling the sense of discovery. By the time we reached the crown spire at the summit, the panoramic views of the Forth Valley and distant highlands made every huff and puff worthwhile. On a clear day, you can spot Stirling Castle and the winding River Forth, tying the whole experience back to the real events that inspired Braveheart (though, fun fact: the movie takes some liberties with history). Admission is reasonable, and the site is family-friendly with options for those who might skip the full climb. Though if you’re able, don’t miss it. We spent about two hours total, including time to catch our breath and snap photos. Pro tip: Wear comfortable shoes, bring water, and visit early to avoid crowds. Stirling itself is a charming town nearby, perfect for post-visit pub grub. Overall, 5/5 stars. It’s more than a monument. It’s a living history lesson with a side of adventure. If you’re in Scotland, make the trek. You...

I just visited The Wallace Monument and before I got here I was a bit worried because of the mixed reviews, thinking have I wasted money coming to Stirling to see it. But seriously it was THE BEST!

I decided to climb up to the top, I wants the accolade of having done it so didn't bother to ask about the free shuttle bus.. good thing I didn't as I asked for the way down, I have a fear of heights and walking down hill/down stairs etc haha, but turns out it wasn't available today anyway so I would have had to have walked either way..

The walk was easy and quick and you pass lots of statues which are lovely.

Luckily, literally as I got to the top, a talk started. The guy giving it was amazing! All about Wallace and Scottish history, it lasted nearly 30 minutes. He also lets you hold the long battle sword and take pics, it's surprisingly heavy! He added lots of humour to the talk too, as well as it being really informative.

Next was the climb up the monument. It costs £11.20 and oh my god it's worth it, purely for being able to say you've done it. People were coming down at different times as I was going up and it's such a squish and you feel like they are going to knock you out the window (not even possible way too small lol but the wind and the close proximity makes you feel like it!) or down the steps .. I had to really breathe and think of nothing else but getting to the top.

The rooms alone the way are lovely and the first one has a little video to watch which is cool and so artistic. It's basically a shortened version of the display talk from the guy outside.

Once you finally reach the top you literally gasp in awe at how high it is (I had to close my mind off whilst walking lol) and I spent as long as possible up there because i was so scared about going down. Luckily no one at all came up as I was going down and eventually after what felt like a lifetime I reached the bottom.. about half way down I got more and more confident, but was still wary.

Definitely worth the visit. I would go again! I spent two hours there but could have stayed all day (I sadly had to catch a bus). I want to go back to explore all the surroundings and different walks up and the woods and just the outside of the monument again..

And the at the end.. the best ice cream I have EVER tasted and super cheap...