Media  Release  21st  June  2016    

Ancient  Building  Technique  on  display  at  the  National  Wallace  Monument      The   National   Wallace   Monument   in   Stirling   has   teamed   up   with   Historic  Environment   Scotland’s   stonemasons   to   demonstrate   the   ancient   techniques  involved   in   the   building   of   the   Monument   at   the   historic   landmark’s   Year   of  Innovation,  Architecture  and  Design  event,  from  24th  –  26th  June.      The  three-­‐day  event,  entitled  ‘A  Victorian  Masterpiece’,  will  commence  on  the  155th  Anniversary  of  the  laying  of  the  foundation  stone  for  the  Monument,  and  will  allow  visitors   to   experience   the   excitement   of   when   work   started   on   the   building   that  commemorates  the  Scottish  hero  William  Wallace.    Each   day,   from   10.30am   until   4.30pm,   Historic   Environment   Scotland   staff   will   be  demonstrating  the  traditional  building  and  craft  skills  involved  in  stonemasonry,  with  visitors   being   invited   to   learn   the   techniques   used   to   carve   the   stonework   of  Scotland’s  historic  structures.      Ken   Thomson,   Marketing   Manager   at   Stirling   District   Tourism   said:   “This   special  event  provides  an  opportunity  for  us  to  focus  on  the  story  of  the  building  itself,  and  the   dedicated   Victorian   craftsmen   whose   skills   were   used   in   constructing   the  Monument.    The  work  of  Historic  Environment  Scotland  keeps  these  important  skills  alive,   and   visitors   this  weekend  will   have   an   insight   into   the  work   that  went   in   to  creating  the  famous  Scottish  landmark.”        The  craft  of  stonemasonry  is  an  ancient  technique  that  involves  cutting  and  carving  stone  to  create  buildings,  structures  and  sculptures  and  one  that  is  needed  today  to  conserve  many  of  Scotland’s  buildings,  including  the  National  Wallace  Monument.      Wendy  Malkin,   Events  Officer   at  Historic   Environment   Scotland,   added:     “Scotland  has  a  rich  and  diverse  build  heritage,  which  is  a  part  of  our  everyday  life  with  many  of   the   buildings   still   in   use   today   as   homes   or   offices.     Being   able   to   showcase  traditional  skills  at  events  such  as  this  is  a  great  opportunity  to  introduce  people  to  them   and   even   let   them   try   their   own   hand   at   stone   carving   and   perhaps   even  encourage  some  to  consider  the  field  for  their  future  career.”    Along   with   the   demonstrations   from   stonemasons,   a   display   of   the   architect’s  original  plans  for  the  Monument,  performances  of  traditional  Scottish  pipe  music,  a  new   exhibition   of   Monument   memorabilia,   and   live   presentations   by   costumed  actors   telling   the   story   of   the   Monument,   will   all   form   part   of   the   weekend   of  activities  for  visitors  to  enjoy.    

 As  part  of   the  celebration  The  National  Wallace  Monument   is  offering  all  visitors  a  reduction  of  10%  on  admission  tickets  over  the  three  days,  and  this  is  available  with  tickets  purchased  in  advance  online,  or  on  arrival  at  the  Monument.        /ends    Notes  to  editors:    A  Victorian  Masterpiece  

• The  display  of  the  architect’s  plans  for  the  Monument  uses  digital  versions  of  the  original  drawings,  which  are  held  by  Stirling  Council  Archives.      

• Apprentices   and   professionals   from   Historic   Environment   Scotland   will  provide  the  demonstrations  of  stonemasonry  skills.  

• The   third   floor   exhibition   of   Monument   memorabilia   is   from   a   variety   of  sources   including   public   donations,   The   Stirling   Smith   Art   Gallery   and  Museum,  Stirling  Council  Archives  and  University  of  Stirling  Archives.  

 Historic  Environment  Scotland  –  Stonemasonry    

• Historic   Environment   Scotland   has   two   training   facilities   where  apprenticeship   courses   in   stonemasonry   are   delivered   -­‐   the   Elgin  Conservation   Centre   which   opened   in   2000,   and   the   Forth   Valley   College  Conservation  Centre,  which  opened  in  2014.    In  addition,  they  employ  a  team  of   highly   talented   stonemasons   who   work   across   Scotland   to   conserve  properties  in  the  organisation’s  care.  

• The  Engine  Shed  in  Stirling,  Scotland’s  Building  Conservation  Centre  (opening  early   2017)   will   be   the   centre   of   all   conservation   activity,   and   will   host   a  variety   of   exhibitions,   events   and   educational   activities   with   the   aim   of  inspiring  a  new  generation  to  engage  with  and  look  after  its  heritage.  

 The  National  Wallace  Monument    The   National   Wallace   Monument   is   managed   and   operated   by   Stirling   District  Tourism  Limited.    The  Monument  was  opened  in  1869  to  commemorate  the   life  of  the   Scottish   patriot   and   martyr   Sir   William   Wallace,   and   attracts   over   100,000  visitors  each  year.    In   June   the   Monument   is   open   each   day   from   9.30am   until   5.00pm.     Visitor  information   is   available   from   01786   472140   and   from    www.nationalwallacemonument.com