A STIRLING landmark has released visuals, showcasing its £1million transformation which is currently underway.

The National Wallace Monument is set to close next Monday, February 11, for extensive interior refurbishment as well as conversation work on the exterior of the building.

There are promises of a brand new visitor experience when it reopens the gates to the public in spring 2019.

Fresh interactive activities, immersive film and enhanced foreign language content will form a part of the state-of-the-art refurbishments across three galleries to tell the story of Scotland’s national hero better than ever before.

The interior redesign is funded by £500,000 from Stirling District Tourism, the charity running the popular attraction, and is being managed by Edinburgh-based design consultants Studioarc.

The Hall of Heroes will also be updated with two new busts depicting Scottish heroines Mary Slessor and Maggie Keswich Jencks, while other elements are specifically being introduced to engage children in history.

Zillah Jamieson, chair at Stirling District Tourism, said: “This investment is so important as it helps to ensure that The National Wallace Monument remains an exciting and relevant tourist destination for visitors across Scotland and internationally, as well as ensuring that Wallace’s legacy is preserved for years to come.

“The new exhibition displays make great use of the space inside the monument, and they will create an enhanced experience for all of our visitors.

“It is thanks to the positive increase in visitor numbers over the last four years that we are able to upgrade the interior displays and improve the overall visitor experience.”

On top, Stirling Council is managing a £515,000 project to conserve the building’s exterior.

This includes a £260,000 restoration project focusing on the giant bronze statue of William Wallace, which will be removed for the first time since its installation 132 years ago.

Those eager to learn more will have a chance to do so at an upcoming lecture titled Building a National Icon, taking place on the evening of Thursday, March 21, and delivered by Dr David Mitchell, director of conservation Historic Environment Scotland and Trustee of Stirling District Tourism.

He will be joined by Lyndsey Bowditch, director at consultants Studioarc.

The lecture will be held at Legends Coffee House from 6.30pm at the monument, where more evening events are going to be held across March, April and October as part of the 150th anniversary of the landmark.