Scotland’s Wallace Monument & a 900th anniversary

Made a royal burgh by King David I of Scotland in 1124 AD, Stirling is marking its 900th anniversary this year with a program of celebrations, from parades and exhibitions to concerts and immersive theatre and arts.

One of the recent organised events saw a group of budding and seasoned painters gather in the shadow of the National Wallace Monument to capture their own versions of this neo-Gothic sandstone landmark. Relatively young in Stirling terms — it was unveiled only in 1869 — the monument has a formidable presence, soaring 67m atop a wooded hill on the city’s northern outskirts.