JASPER AND TOMMY'S ADVENTURES IN SCOTLAND: The National Wallace Monument and Abbey Craig, Stirling

The National Wallace Monument (click/tap to enlarge image)

The National Wallace Monument is a Victorian tribute to the Scottish hero Sir William Wallace. Yes, he of Braveheart fame which depending on your perspective, is an enjoyable and iconic film but it isn't something to watch for its historical accuracy! There was actually a Mel Gibson, Braveheart statue in the car park at one time but it was widely disliked, constantly vandalised and eventually removed!

The National Wallace Monument sits high up on a rocky crag, Abbey Craig to be precise and is a landmark that can be seen for miles around. It overlooks the fields where Wallace defeated the English army at the Battle of Stirling Bridge in 1297.

The car park, grounds and Abbey Craig are all free to visit and are generally open at all times. Toilet facilities can be found in the Legends café at the car park and inside the monument (open during café/monument operating hours). The café is pretty good and there is also an outside area which is dog friendly. The monument itself is not dog friendly and there is a charge to visit it. It is worthwhile though and whilst the views from the grounds are superb, they are even better from the top of the monument. There are also some interesting exhibitions inside. You can find more information on the official website here.

Our walk takes us uphill from the car park to the monument, along a route that is quite steep at times, especially as it winds its way up to the monument. From the monument, the route follows the rather more moderate blue waymarked walk around Abbey Craig and back down to the car park. Abbey Craig is often over-looked by visitors but it affords better views than from outside the front of the monument in my opinion.

The walk is mostly circular and quite short, with a total distance of 1.37 miles. If walking the route during the day when the shuttle bus is running, you will need to keep an eye out for it on the road sections. There are also drops to be aware of at the monument itself and the initial part of the Abbey Craig walk. Other than around these hazards, we generally let the dogs off the lead. The paths are good but can be a little slippery in bad weather.

As usual there's a link to the car park on Google Maps, maps of the route and a GPX file for navigation, at the end of the article. All information is as per our last visit in August 2022. All images can be clicked/tapped to enlarge.

The walk up to the monument is well sign-posted and begins behind the Legends café (click/tap to enlarge image)

Tommy proved to be the star of this walk and plenty of photo opportunities presented themselves!

"You will provide treats on demand or face the consequences!"

The path from the car park

There are lots of interesting wood carvings along the route.

"Beep beep! Look Jasper I'm driving a whale!"

Soon, the path runs alongside the road. Watch out for the shuttle bus if it's running.

"Not the most snuggly of laps to be honest and there's a distinct lack of strokes! Still lookin' pretty cute though! I'm assuming there's some kind of food related reward for this!"

A little way up the road, we turn right and follow the short but steep path up to the monument.

"Choo choo! Now I'm driving the train!"

Nearly there. From this point on until we are passed the monument and the Abbey Craig viewpoint, it's back on the lead for the dogs as there are steep drops. The shuttle bus also runs along the road and to the front of the monument.

Outside the monument

Close up of the statue of Sir William Wallace holding his sword aloft.

View of monument from the side

View of monument from rear

The front of the monument has a large viewing platform with benches. There are great panoramic views to take in.

View towards Stirling Castle

The sun going down over the distant Trossachs

The path continues past the monument and runs along the right hand side of the road

Keep to the right and off the road, following the arrows. You're following the blue way marked route. Note the stone marker circled in blue. Look out for these markers along the route and follow the blue arrows on them, sticking to the main paths.

The path comes out at the Abbey Craig viewpoint where there are more benches to sit and enjoy the views. The drops in this area are especially sharp, so do take care.

View of River Forth and out towards Stirling Castle

View towards Grangemouth on left and Cambuskenneth Abbey on right

Continue along the main path past the viewing areas and down into the woods

Keep following the main path and avoid turning off. The path moves away from the steep drops but don't let your dog wander off to the right of the path. When you get to a T junction, go right as per the stone marker.

Jasper does love the woods! Stick to the main path as it curves left here.

As per the marker, follow Jasper down the path to the left here

At the junction here, the path straight on is signposted Alloa Road. Turn left instead as per the other stone marker (also sign-posted Visitor Centre and Car Park).

Keep straight along the main path

The path curves to the left and then narrows

You are now heading towards the Ochil Hills Viewpoint. The viewpoint itself however doesn't provide much of a view these days, as it is almost entirely obscured by trees. Instead keep an eye out to the right as you walk along the path and you'll get a glimpse of the hills between the gaps in the trees.

After a while, the path curves around to the left and continues up to the viewpoint

Continue on the path through the viewpoint and shortly afterwards, you will back out on the shuttle bus road. Follow the path to the right along the edge of the road. The road and path soon diverge. Continue to follow the path back down the signposted route to the car park, retracing our route back to the start of the walk.

A few bonus photos: