The Wallace Monument on the Bemersyde estate overlooking the Tweed valley near Melrose
The William Wallace Statue in the grounds of the Bemersyde estate, near Melrose in the Scottish Borders Commissioned by David Stuart Erskine, 11th Earl of Buchan. This huge statue of the 'Guardian of Scotland' stands 31 feet high in total, with the actual statue being 21½ feet high. Made of red sandstone, by John Smith of Darnick, Wallace stands looking out over the Tweed with his broadsword in his right hand and his shield resting at his left. Originally painted white, the statue was unveiled on 22nd September 1814. On the pedestal is inscribed: "Wallace, great patriot hero ill requited chief MDCCCXIV" The years having taken their toll, the Saltire Society raised by public appeal, funding to renovate the statue in 1991. The renovation was carried out by Bob Heath/Graciella Glenn Ainsworth. At the base there is an urn with the patriotic inscription: "Peerless knight of Elderslie Who wav'd on Ayr's romantic shore The beamy torch of liberty, And roaming round from sea to sea From glade obscure of gloomy rock His bold companion call'd to free The realm from Edward's iron yoke."
Size: 5588px × 3706px
Photo credit: © James R Gibson / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: 11th, bemersyde, borders, buchan, david, earl, erskine, estate, guardian, melrose, monument, scotland, scottish, sir, stuart, wallace, walter
