The William Wallace Statue located close to the town of Melrose in the Scottish Borders.

This is the first statue erected in Scotland to William Wallace, one of Scotland’s greatest national heroes. He was leader of the Scottish resistance forces during the first of the long and ultimately successful struggle to free Scotland from English rule and gain its independence.

This resistance stemmed from Wallace’s burning desire for peace and freedom which united the country’s clans, gained the loyalty of its people, struck fear into his enemies and defied the cruel hand of the invading King Edward I of England. Famously when the two countries faced each other at the Battle of Stirling Bridge in 1297, Scotland was led to victory by William Wallace.

The statue was sculptured by a local man, John Smith. It was commissioned and unvailed on the 22nd September 1814 by David Stuart Erskin, 11th Earl of Buchan.

Standing tall at 67 feet, the statue is perched on a hill, offering visitors stunning views of the surrounding landscape.