Falkirk Council: £20k spend proposal for Battle of Falkirk signs

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Plans for new signage to tell town centre visitors more about a Falkirk battle that played a vital part in Scotland’s history will be discussed by councillors next week.

As the 725th anniversary of the first Battle of Falkirk approaches, plans are being made to the mark the battle and direct visitors to some key locations around the town.

The battle, on July 22, 1298, saw William Wallace, then Guardian of Scotland, lead Scottish forces to take on Edward I , the English king who was looking for revenge after defeat at the Battle of Stirling Bridge.

At Falkirk, however, the Scottish army was defeated and William Wallace resigned his leadership, to be replaced by Robert the Bruce.

Councillors will decide on a proposal to add signage to the Battle of Falkirk memorial in Callendar Park where a service takes place annually

While the actual site of the battle is not known, visitors to the town centre can visit Trinity Church to see the tomb of Sir John de Graeme, Wallace’s second-in-command.

He died in action and his body was carried by Wallace himself from the battlefield to the Parish Church, where he was laid to rest.

Visitors will also be directed to the Battle of Falkirk memorial in the town’s Callendar Park.

Councillors will be asked to agree a budget of up to £20,000 to adapt and enhance the current signage in the High Street, as well as adding two interpretation boards to give more details of the battle.

The commemorative cairn in Callendar Park

The report going to the executive points out that existing signage in the High Street already references both the first and second Battles of Falkirk and the memorials in Falkirk Trinity churchyard.

However, there is no signage providing direction to the Battle of Falkirk memorial cairn in Callendar Park.

The proposal to spend £20,000 on upgrading signage were put forward by the council’s Conservative group at this year’s budget meeting.

While the Tories supported the SNP administration’s overall budget, they put forward some spending proposals of their own, including the request for signage.

Conservative councillor James Bundy said at the time: “Commemorating one of the most historic battles in Scotland’s history, which happened on our doorsteps, is a way of regenerating Falkirk High Street.

“It’s not the solution, it’s part of the solution and this is going to support efforts alongside the new Falkirk Town Hall.”