Statue of William Wallace, Bemersyde facts for kids
The William Wallace Statue is a large and important statue in the Scottish Borders, near a place called Melrose. It was built to remember William Wallace, a famous Scottish hero who fought for his country's freedom a long time ago. This statue is so special that it's protected as a category B listed building, which means it's an important part of Scotland's history and heritage.
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Remembering William Wallace: The Famous Statue
The idea for this statue came from David Steuart Erskine, 11th Earl of Buchan. He wanted a monument to honor William Wallace. The statue was made from red sandstone by an artist named John Smith from Darnick. It was finished and put up in the year 1814.
What the Statue Looks Like
The statue stands very tall, about 31 feet (9.4 meters) high. It shows Wallace looking out over the River Tweed, a famous river in Scotland. In 1991, the William Wallace Trust, which looks after the statue and the land around it, raised money to fix it up. Bob Heath and Graciella Glenn Ainsworth did the repair work.
Messages on the Statue
At the bottom of the statue, there are some words carved into the stone. They say:
Erected by David Stuart
Erskine, Earl of Buchan
WALLACE
GREAT PATRIOT HERO!
ILL REQUITED CHIEF!
MDCCCXIV
This message tells us who put the statue up and calls Wallace a "great patriot hero." "MDCCCXIV" is a Roman numeral for 1814, the year the statue was finished.
Below the main statue of Wallace, there is another smaller stone structure that looks like a funeral urn. It also has a message carved into it:
Sacred to the memory of Wallace
The peerless Knight of Ellerslie
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 companions call'd to free
The Realm from Edward's Iron Yoke.
This poem talks about Wallace as a brave knight who fought for liberty and freedom for Scotland against "Edward's Iron Yoke," which refers to King Edward I of England.
Nearby Places to Explore
If you visit the William Wallace Statue, there are many other interesting places nearby. These include Brotherstone Hill, the historic Dryburgh Abbey, the impressive Leaderfoot Viaduct, the town of Newtown St. Boswells, the scenic Scott's View, and the old Smailholm Tower.
