Please do not kill over in shock, I am posting more pictures from Scotland since life sidetracked us pretty good and I never finished. The William Wallace Monument stands at the summit of Abbey Craig, a hilltop near Stirling. Since it is at the top of Abbey Craig, and it's Scotland in general, it was really windy. Then when you climb to the top of the Monument, and are in the open area at the top, you are almost blown over! They built the Monument near where the battle for Stirling Bridge was fought.
Here is what they believe is William Wallace's sword. They figure based on how huge this sword is, he had to have been at least 6'6" or taller. They are pretty sure it's Wallace's sword because when they write about Wallace, they talk about him towering head and shoulders over others.
Sorry Jake, at 6'3" you are just a little too short to properly wield this sword!
Boys and toys!!! Or rather a big boy and a big toy!
The William Wallace Monument was incredible for stairs. Seriously, if you want GREAT legs, just go to Scotland and visit the different monuments. You will really feel the burn after a while. First you had to go up this flight of stairs, then you got to the infamous spiral staircase. It just keeps going and going and going. Then you get to the second floor. Then you realize there are two more floors to go. There are
only 246 steps in this place!
(Those red thingies are how you listen to your audio tour. Personally, I think they should have given everyone torches to light the way. Much cooler and better ambiance!)
Check out the pitch on the spiral staircase! And notice the darkened line that twists like the staircase? That's the handrail! It's on the skinny side of the step. Don't lean too far forward!
This is a statue of William Wallace on the outside of the monument. It's just on the side, nothing else by it.
If you look closely, you can see the keystone piece. The Scots were so afraid that whomever was going to put that piece in place would die, they exempted all the married men (so they wouldn't make anyone a widow) and had the single men draw lots to see who would put it in place. The keystone is the little ball you can see underneath the stone arch and just above the rail at the bottom of the picture.
The view from the very top! This is the River Forth. Somewhere down there is where they fought the Battle for Stirling Bridge, but Floolie and I can't remember where it was at. Bumpa is napping or we'd ask him.
Notice the moss on the walls of this picture. Even up this high, the air is moist enough to grow stuff!
Those little white things in this picture are sheep! They look like grains of rice, or as Jake says, maggoty little things!
And this is a tree growing there that I thought was just perfect for climbing. No I didn't, but I was sorely tempted! The whole 246 stairs up then 246 stairs down just about does you in. Then you have to walk from the top of Abbey Craig to the car park if you *just* missed the bus going down. ;)
The brightness of the day belies how cold it was. We all had frozen fingers and noses by the time we were done. Even though it was cold, we couldn't have asked for a nicer day. The brisk, biting air was invigorating.
Little Miss had a wonderful time strolling through the grounds, and she didn't want to leave when the day was done.
Rynie is always ready for exploration and adventure. We explored every nook and cranny we possibly could while Little Miss hung out with Floolie.
