Culture

William Wallace opens new Stirling Bridge

by mudricky | May 2, 2009 at 01:20 pm

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Who would be best to open a new bridge in Stirling, Scotland?

William Wallace of course, not just one though, but six.

Stirling Council made an appeal on their website in March looking for William Wallace’s to open their new bridge.

In 1297 the real William Wallace defeated the English in the battle of Stirling Bridge, and in Scottish history plays a large part. Most would agree it was Wallace's most famous victory, and most important one in the fight, at the time for Scottish Independence from England.

A William Wallace, father and son who helped open the bridge were from Elderslie, Renfrewshire, the birth place of the original Wallace in 1270.

The other Wallace’s were 2 from Glasgow including a two-year-old, and 1 each from Dunfermline and Cumbernauld.

The bridge cost £12m to construct and will be for pedestrians only. The bridge takes you over the city's main train line to the Forthside waterfront development.

The William Wallaces will take part in the opening of the 100-metre bridge which links the city centre to Forthside, Stirling's multi-million-pound waterfront development.

The new bridge, which will be illuminated by night, will give pedestrians access to the 40-acre development which aims to regenerate the banks of the River Forth.

Six William Wallaces from across Scotland are to attend the opening of a new bridge in Stirling.

The £6m pedestrian-crossing spans the railway to link the city centre with the Forthside waterfront development.

It was due to open 12 months ago but its complicated design meant that testing of the structure took longer than expected.

The Battle of Stirling Bridge in 1297 is regarded as Scottish patriot William Wallace's most famous victory.

Stirling Council has recruited six people called William Wallace to help open the new bridge at Forthside.

They range in age from two to 65 and even feature a father and son from Elderslie, where it is thought the legendary William Wallace may have been born.

Others are from Glasgow, Dunfermline and Cumbernauld.

William Wallace, 65, from Muirkirk in Ayrshire, will be one of those opening the bridge.