Battle of Stirling Bridge to be Memorialised With New Monument

Kenny Hunter envisages two figures wearing armour

The Battle of Stirling Bridge is to be marked at the site of the conflict in Scotland with works of art to create a permanent monument.

There are six artwork designs that are finalists and have gone on display in readiness for the winner’s selection.

The Guardians of Scotland Trust have created the project, which aims to ensure that William Wallace and his co-commander Andrew de Moray are memorialised.

Andrew de Moray died from his injuries suffered during the battle that took place in 1297. He died later that year of injuries he had sustained. The battle is one of the most important in Scotland’s history, yet to date there has been no permanent memorial on the battle site.

The Guardians of Scotland Trust was set up in 2011 with the prime objective of getting a permanent memorial set up at the battle site.

The six artists who have made it through to the finals are David Annand, Doug Cocker, Alan Herriot, Kenny Hunter, Malcolm Robertson and Kate Robinson.

The artworks are now on show in the Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum. Some are of soldiers in armour; others feature armed horses, as well as flags.

The two leaders holding a flag feature in Malcolm Robertson’s design

The exhibition of the finalists’ work was opened by Scottish National Party MSP, Bruce Crawford. He said that it is exciting to have the project underway and that it is of vital importance to Scottish heritage.

Other groups involved in the project include Historic Environment Scotland, Stirling Council, Glasgow School of Art and the Stirling Smith Gallery.

It was the Battle of Stirling Bridge that was one of the first battles to initiate Scottish independence from the English crown.

The two commanders had been leading an underground resistance prior to the battle, with Wallace based in the south of Scotland and de Moray based in the north.

The two commanders came together at a crossing over the River Forth in September of 1297. Meanwhile, the Earl of Surrey and Hugh de Cressingham were leading the English troops against them.

Scottish troops allowed some of the English soldiers crossed the river and then attacked, splitting their forces into the two and ensuring that they could be defeated.