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Braveheart boost as plans unveiled to put William Wallace on the tourist map

ARTICLE FROM THE NORTH STAR

ARTICLE FROM THE AIRDRIE & COATBRIDGE ADVERTISER

SUNDAY EXPRESS JULY 2009

A TEENAGER has launched a ‘one-boy campaign’ to fend off developers and save a historic site where William Wallace spent his final hours of freedom.

Glen Wood, 13, is concerned about a watering hole and a monument placed at the spot, which have fallen into a state of disrepair and are covered in graffiti.

Wallace’s Well, in Robroyston, Glasgow, is said to be where the 13th century warrior savoured his last drink before being handed over to English soldiers after the betrayal of a Scottish noble.

While the nearby spot where Wallace was betrayed, a 20ft-high Celtic cross, has listed status, the well was stripped of protection in the Nineties because of a lack of proof it was linked to the warrior.

Now Glen, a pupil at St Ambrose High School in Coatbridge, has started a campaign to save the site, which lies next to a busy country road and near a new housing development.

The youngster, from Garthamlock, said yesterday: “I’m really interested in Scottish history, but we don’t get enough of it at school.

“I like visiting historic places but this one makes me sad. Not a lot of people know about it because there are no sign posts to mark it and those who do are disappointed because of how it looks.

“I thought if I did something to draw attention to it, I could get people talking and maybe something will be done. I think Wallace does deserve it.”

The Celtic cross, about a 10-minute walk from the well, was erected in 1900 by public subscription to mark the site of the barn where Wallace spent his last night as a free man.

Wallace was betrayed on August 5, 1305, by Scottish knight, Sir John De Menteith, who turned over a table in a tavern in a sign to the English that the ‘brigand’ was among them. After his capture, Wallace was marched to London, tried for treason and declared guilty at the Westminster Hall. The Scottish hero, who was just 33, was then dragged through the streets before being hung, drawn and quartered, with his body parts displayed in various parts of Scotland as a warning to others.

Glen has been supported in his campaign by his grandmother Bonny Boyle, whose friend in Canada first told her about the dilapidated state of Wallace’s Well and the Celtic cross.

Mrs Boyle, 55, said: “When Glen said he’d like to do something about it I was delighted. Scotland, especially during the Homecoming year, should be proud of the heritage it has.

“But this place has been left to fall apart. I fear it will become so dangerous it will be demolished.”

Historians also backed the youngster’s fight and called on the Scottish Government and Glasgow City Council to intervene.

David Ross, convener of the Society of William Wallace, said: “Glen has now caught people’s attention and that can only be a good thing.

“Here’s a young lad who is so passionate about his country – if only there were 1,000 more like him, it could make all the difference.”

Officials at Glasgow City Council denied claims the site has been left to ruin and insisted £15,000 had been spent on improving the area in the last 12 months.

A spokeswoman said: “There are plans in place to improve the area even more.

“It is an important part of our heritage. It has not been forgotten about.”

An annual event to mark the anniversary of Wallace’s capture takes place at the monument on Saturday.

UNKNOWN PAPER JULY 2009