THE foundation stone of the National Wallace Monument at Causewayhead, Stirling, was laid on Monday, June 24, 1861 – the anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn.

Stirling, however, was not the first choice of location.

As early as 1818, the idea of a national memorial to Sir William Wallace, Scotland’s hero and victor at the Battle of Stirling Bridge, was discussed.

Glasgow had been looking to erect a Wallace monument, but the good folk of Edinburgh got wind of it and thought the capital should be chosen.

Following much deliberation, Stirling was finally chosen.

There was no shortage of applicants for designing the structure. One hundred and six architects took part in the competition and a committee had been set up to sift through the proposals. The winner was John Thomas Rochead.

Not everyone was happy about its construction. Sir William Stirling of Keir opposed the idea as he believed there would be too much damage to Abbey Craig by visitors.

Nonetheless, the building went ahead. On the day the foundation stone was laid, trains began arriving in the early morning from all over the country, loaded with ‘municipal bodies, volunteers, and about 200 lodges of Masons, Odd-fellows, Crispins and others’.

Around 40 bands arrived including pipers, which played patriotic tunes such as Scots Wha Ha’e.

It was estimated that between 80,000 and 100,000 people joined the procession which was around two miles in length.

Among them were 30 companies of volunteers, representing many of Scotland’s regiments, all under the command of Colonel Griffiths of the Scots Greys.

The commander-in-chief had given permission for these soldiers to be present, and around 150 police officers were drafted in to supervise the safety of the public on the Abbey Craig, as well as to maintain order.

Everyone assembled in the King’s Park in Stirling before the procession took off at 1pm that afternoon.

Gun fire from the castle hailed the beginning of the march and the bells peeled throughout the town.

The line of the route was crowded with spectators and by the time it reached Causewayhead, the road became impassable.

The procession was headed by Lt-Col Sir James Maxwell Wallace, who was there to represent the Wallaces. Behind him followed the Grand Marshals, Captain Rochead and Chief Constable Alexander Meffen.

They in turn were followed by various rifle and artillery volunteers, curling clubs, gardeners lodges and various other lodges.

The Stirling Cadet Corps and the Seven Incorporated Trades with their Blue Blanket banner followed

The Guildry Officer carried the Stirling Jug while town officials walked behind him.

THE master gunner of Dumbarton Castle carried William Wallace’s sword to the laying of the foundation stone at the Wallace Monument, while a servant of the Earl of Elgin carried King Robert Bruce’s sword.

Numerous other historical swords were in the procession including that of the Laird of Lundin which had been reputedly used at the Battle of Stirling Bridge on, September 11, 1297.

It was not until around 3pm that the Grand Master Mason, George Murray, the 6th Duke of Atholl and the Grand Lodge reached the summit of Abbey Craig. It was only after their arrival that the foundation stone was laid in a solemn ceremony.

In the cavity of the stone was placed a crystal vase with various works placed inside it.

These were a copy of Wallace and his Times by James Paterson, Life of Wallace, published by Murray & Son, Burns Poetical Works, Lady of the Lake by Walter Scott, A Week at Bridge of Allan by Dr Rogers and a British and Masonic calendar for 1861.

Also included were the designs for the monument and there were inscriptions of the members of the Wallace Committee and Town Council members as well as a list of the Grand Lodge members, circulars and a programme.

A poem by James Macfarlane written specially for the occasion was also included along with some coins, a medal and a New Testament.

The Duke of Atholl brought the ceremony to a close. The Union flag was hoisted and a 21-gun salute from the Castle took place. The crowds at the Craig and in the vicinity clapped and cheered loudly.

A banquet took place that evening for distinguished guests in the Corn Exchange Hall. Sir Archibald Alison presided with speakers including Sir James Stuart, Sir Maxwell Wallace and sheriffs Glasford Bell and Tait.

The initial estimate for the cost of construction was around £5,000, but actually amounted to around £13,500, all of which was raised by public subscription.

Most was raised in Glasgow with John McAdam persuading the likes of Giuseppe Garibaldi in Italy to donate to the funds. Other subscribers included Rochead himself, and William Connell, a wealthy Glasgow industrialist.

A Mr W Drummond of Rockdale donated £1200, a not insignificant amount in the Victorian era.

The opening of the monument on Saturday, September 11, 1869 was a low-key affair in comparison to the laying of the foundation stone. The ceremony itself only took half an hour.

The Town Council of Stirling were given custodianship, and a caretaker rented the keeper’s house next to it.