点评:Wallace Monument is one of those things you do when you’re a kid, but have a tendency to then forget about. I mean you know it’s there, but truth be told I’ve no idea if I’d ever have went again had my better half not been.
Around a 10 minute drive from Stirling Train Station - there are buses, but they could be more consistent, you can walk it in around 30 minutes, which is rather weather dependent. Also possibly hinges on your fitness given what’s coming!
The tower, in memory of legendary Scottish warrior William Wallace (see: Mel Gibson’s Braveheart) is a striking sight over Stirling, but there’s no getting away from the fact it’s not the easiest day out on the knees. Positioned atop a hill, they do thankfully provide shuttle buses up and down for those wanting to conserve their legs.
It’s just over £12 to access it, which is probably fair, but be warned the stairs are not for everyone. Not even so much for their number, but it’s a very tight circular stairwell that can be quite claustrophobic.
There are a few levels to the place, containing information and artefacts about Wallace, including his sword (probably not the real thing but gives you an idea of size) before you hit the top which grants you some pretty spectacular views over the area, especially on a clear day.
There’s a cafe and gift shop at the bottom, never tried the latter but I’ve heard good things, and during summer they do some short historical reenactment/shows that are a neat touch.
All in this is a pretty good day out for all the family. Just maybe skip the gym that morning!
翻译:华莱士纪念碑属于那种小时候会去参观、但长大后很容易就被遗忘的地方。虽然知道它就在那儿,但说实话,要不是我的另一半坚持,我根本不记得自己是否还会再去。
从斯特灵火车站开车过去大约10分钟——也有公交车可乘,不过班次不够频繁。步行的话大概需要30分钟,不过这得看天气情况。另外,由于途中有些路段较陡峭,这也可能取决于你的体力状况啦!
那座塔楼……为纪念苏格兰传奇勇士威廉·华莱士而建的雕像(参见:梅尔·吉布森主演的《勇敢的心》)矗立在斯特灵上空,极为醒目。不过不得不承认,要步行前往那里对膝盖可不太友好。幸运的是,雕像位于山顶,为那些不想劳累双腿的游客提供了往返的接驳巴士。
进入参观需支付12英镑左右的费用,这个价格还算合理。不过要提醒的是,那些楼梯可不适合所有人攀登——甚至与其数量多少无关。不过那里有一个非常狭窄的环形楼梯间,可能会让人产生幽闭感。
整个建筑有几个楼层,陈列着有关华莱士的各种资料和文物,包括他的剑(大概不是真品,但能让人大致了解其尺寸)。登上顶层后,便能欣赏到该地区极为壮观的景致,尤其是在天气晴朗的时候。
底层有一家咖啡馆和一家礼品店;我没去过礼品店,但听说评价不错。夏季时,这里还会举办一些简短的历史场景重现或表演,这是个很不错的亮点。
总的来说,这里是个适合全家人一起游玩的好去处。只是建议那天早上还是别去健身房啦!