The Wallace Stone (Riggend)
Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2009 5:44 pm
With William Wallace being a Glasgow chappie, I thought I'd qualify this post by at least refering to his Elderslie origins and start by showing some photos that i took after reading a extract from a book called Airdrie: A Historical Sketch, which was written in 1921. I purchased the book from a New York book shop and began reading it, only to discover in the early pages, a significant reference to a large upright stone situated in Riggend (by Airdrie).
According to the book, the stone was used by Sir William Wallace to sharpen his "Twa Eged Claythorn" sword on his way to the battle of Falkirk in 1298. see photo's
I've passed this stone a number of times without realising its existance. Equally as surprising is the fact that, as the crow flies, I actually lived within a 1/2 a mile of this stone for around 6 years. I've never even heard of it being spoken about in the local village.
Obviously its interesting to me from the point of view that this very small piece of history is still in existance to this day and hasn't yet been swept away by housing or industrial developments. But what stands out is that 88 years ago, an ex-provost and Honourable Sheriff Substitute (James Knox) thought enough merrit in the story to include it within his aforementioned book.
So we know it exists within at least one historical record and we know it exists because you can go and see it, touch it and photograph it, but the real question for me is:-
Is there any other written reference to the event prior to 1921 or is this merely hearsay transfered to text by James Knox?
Any help most welcome.
According to the book, the stone was used by Sir William Wallace to sharpen his "Twa Eged Claythorn" sword on his way to the battle of Falkirk in 1298. see photo's
I've passed this stone a number of times without realising its existance. Equally as surprising is the fact that, as the crow flies, I actually lived within a 1/2 a mile of this stone for around 6 years. I've never even heard of it being spoken about in the local village.
Obviously its interesting to me from the point of view that this very small piece of history is still in existance to this day and hasn't yet been swept away by housing or industrial developments. But what stands out is that 88 years ago, an ex-provost and Honourable Sheriff Substitute (James Knox) thought enough merrit in the story to include it within his aforementioned book.
So we know it exists within at least one historical record and we know it exists because you can go and see it, touch it and photograph it, but the real question for me is:-
Is there any other written reference to the event prior to 1921 or is this merely hearsay transfered to text by James Knox?
Any help most welcome.