Scottish Clan Book - Wallace

Bearers of a name that resonates throughout the pages of the frequently turbulent drama that is Scotland’s history, the Wallaces settled in Scotland in the early twelfth century, acquiring lands in Ayrshire and Renfrewshire.

Their most famous son to this day remains William Wallace, the great freedom fighter of the Wars of Independence, born in Elderslie, near Paisley.

Wallace was for a time a bright star in Scotland’s firmament as he and his band of guerrilla fighters waged relentless war against the occupying forces of England’s ruthless and ambitious Edward 1.

He achieved victory at the battle of Stirling Bridge in 1297, only to be followed by crushing defeat at the battle of Falkirk a year later.

Wallace made his escape, but was betrayed and captured in 1305 and dragged off to London, where he suffered the horrific ordeal of being hanged, drawn and quartered.