"The statue of Wallace was the first to be erected in Scotland and is based on a portrait of Wallace found in France. The sculpture was commissioned by David Stewart Erskine, the 11th Earl of Buchan and executed by Mr John Smith of Darnick, a self-taught sculptor, who worked from the portrait.
The statue is gigantic; much larger than life-sized. It stands 21.5 feet high and stands atop a pedestal 9.5 feet high, for a total height of 31 feet. The piece is carved from red sandstone and was originally painted white, though the paint has long-since worn way, leaving the plain sandstone. It shows Wallace clad in medieval Scottish armour, with a shield hanging from his left arm while he leans upon a sword with his right." (from britainexpress.com)
An inscription on the base of the Wallace statue reads:
Erected by David StuartErskine, Earl of Buchan
WALLACE
GREAT PATRIOT HERO!
ILL REQUITED CHIEF!
Joannes Smith Sculpsit
MDCCCXIV
There is also another sculpure by Smith of an urn situated just in front of the Wallace Statue with the faded inscription:
The peerless Knight of ElderslieWho wav'd on Ayr's romantic shore
The beamy torch of liberty
And roaming round from sea to sea
From glade obscure of gloomy rock
His bold companions call'd to free
The realm from Edward's iron yoke
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