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Statue of William Wallace in Dryburgh, Scottish Borders, Scotland
William Wallace Day
Aug 23
Other Scottish Country Dances for this Day
Today's Musings, History & Folklore
"🎶 Scots, wha hae wi’ Wallace bled,
Scots, wham Bruce has aften led,
Welcome to your gory bed,
Or to victory!"
~ Scots Wha Hae, Robert Burns, 1793
For William Wallace Day this year, a series of events are set to take place across various locations, honoring the legacy of Scotland’s national hero (1274-1305). At the National Wallace Monument in Stirling, perched atop Abbey Craig, actor-led performances will vividly bring Wallace’s story to life, showcasing his pivotal role in Scotland’s fight for freedom. In Elderslie, the village will host a wreath-laying ceremony and parade at the Wallace Monument, where locals and visitors alike will join in traditional festivities. Additional memorial activities will be held at other significant sites, including the Wallace Statue in Aberdeen, located outside His Majesty’s Theatre, and in Dryburgh in the Scottish Borders, where a red sandstone statue of Wallace overlooks the River Tweed. These gatherings collectively commemorate key moments in Wallace’s life—from his triumphs to his ultimate sacrifice—while underscoring his lasting influence on Scottish identity and the enduring importance of the struggle for independence. This tribute also features a lively Sicilian circle dance, a progressive jig with couples circling and interacting in a sequence of turns, dos-à-dos, arches, and more! 💙 🤍 ❤️ 🏴 ⚔️
A Tribute to William Wallace
William Wallace, born around 1270, was a Scottish knight who became one of Scotland’s most revered national heroes during the Wars of Scottish Independence. Little is known about his early life, but he first rose to prominence in 1297 when he led a successful revolt against English rule. Wallace’s most famous victory was the Battle of Stirling Bridge, where, despite being outnumbered, he and his forces used the terrain to their advantage and crushed the English army. Following this victory, Wallace was declared Guardian of Scotland. His leadership was marked by fierce loyalty to Scottish independence, but his campaign faced setbacks, culminating in his defeat at the Battle of Falkirk in 1298.
After Falkirk, Wallace went into hiding but continued to inspire resistance against the English. In 1305, he was betrayed, captured, and handed over to King Edward I of England. Wallace’s trial was swift and unjust, culminating in his brutal execution in London, where he was hanged, drawn, and quartered. His death was intended to demoralize the Scottish resistance, but it had the opposite effect. Wallace became a martyr and symbol of defiance. His famous declaration, “I tell you the truth—freedom is what is best. Sons, never live life like slaves,” encapsulated his legacy as a champion of liberty.
Wallace’s legacy remains deeply embedded in Scottish identity.
His courage and unwavering commitment to Scottish independence paved the way for future leaders like Robert the Bruce, who eventually secured Scotland’s freedom in 1314 at the Battle of Bannockburn. Over the centuries, Wallace has been celebrated in ballads, literature, and film, with his legend further immortalized by the towering National Wallace Monument in Stirling. He is remembered as a symbol of resistance against oppression, with his life story standing as a testament to the enduring power of the fight for freedom.
For more on Wallace's life and legacy, click the illustration from H E Marshall's 'Scotland's Story', published in 1906. The scene shows a woman informing Wallace that the Scottish nobles have been massacred in a trap set at the Barns of Ayr. The original caption is,"Hold you, hold you, Brave Wallace! the English have hanged all your best men like dogs."
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