Day 16 Trossachs National Park, and "Freedom!"

A leisurely drive with some hikes from Glencoe to Stirling and the National Wallace Monument.  Or the real "Braveheart".

The Trossachs National Park covers 720 square miles.  it contains 22 lochs, (lakes),  Hiking, backpacking, cycling, camping, a ski resort, a few golf courses thrown in as well.  A four season national park with winter ice climbing on the numerous water falls as well.

We finished the day in Stirling, Scotland.  This is where William Wallace battled England in the fabled Wars of Scottish Independence in the late 1290's.  Although successful in leading skirmishes against the English, he was eventually caught and executed (hanged, drawn and quartered and beheaded) in London.  The English wanted to make an example of him; his body parts probably traveled more then he did during the war.  They were displayed all over England and Scotland as a reminder of what happens when you loose a war.

Mel Gibson's "Braveheart" is a sanitized version of history.  Inspirational perhaps, but when someone soon after the movie's release carved a statue of Mel Gibson as William Wallace it was quickly beheaded.  They repaired it, put it behind bars for display, but it was trashed and spray painted.  They eventually removed it from public view.  Mel Gibson is not William Wallace.

Below is the 220 foot sandstone Monument built in 1869.  It is well respected by the community.