| Where: | Muster at Johnstone, Renfrewshire at Ludovic Square and Elderslie, Renfrewshire at the Wallace Monument on Main Street (and also formerly Lanark, South Lanarkshire at St Kentigern's Cemetery on Hyndford Road) |
| When: | Saturday nearest 23rd August |
| Time: | 2pm at Johnstone with march at 2.30 to arrive at 3pm at Elderslie for wreath laying (and also formerly 10 am at Lanark) |
The great Scots patriot and freedom fighter Sir William Wallace was born at Elderslie, and every year the residents commemorate their local hero on or near the anniversary of his brutal execution by the English on 23rd August 1305. A parade usually makes its way from Ludovic Square in Johnstone to the Wallace monument in Elderslie two miles away, accompanied by much flag waving, tartan wearing and a pipe band. Expect a crowd of a few hundred come to pay their respects. Speeches are made by the monument and there’s a suitably Caledonian-flavour concert during the evening. It’s all organised by the Society of William Wallace and in the past there were also associated events at Lanark on the same day (see Wallace Society link).
Helpful Hints
In 2024 it should be on Saturday 24th August at Elderslie (to be confirmed). In 2023 in a last-minute change there was no march from Johnstone and the party assembled at the monument at 3pm.
Watch out for the new trees replacing the ancient yew tree at Elderslie from Wallace’s time (supposedly planted by the man himself) and the birthplace remains, situated near the impressive monument.
Click here for the Society website: http://www.thesocietyofwilliamwallace.com/index.html
and here for the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pg/The-Society-Of-William-Wallace-323120935714/posts/?ref=page_internal
Our Guardian of Scotland is alive in our hearts and we will come to show how much we care about William Wallace, his life and continued mission for FREEDOM.
Society of William Wallace,
My heritage is three-quarters Scots, my ancestral roots in Houston (surname), Renfrewshire, not far from Elderslie, as well as Blair ancestry: Blair, Ayrshire (Blair being my maternal grandmother’s maiden name).
It may take two years before my sojourn, but I plan to visit all three areas and set my feet upon your beautifully green Scottish soil, research my father’s and mother’s Scottish roots, their families’ businesses (Houston: cotton industry, both in Scotland and the American South, and Blair: flax and wheat), etc.
I will make a point to attend the Elderslie Wallace Day, in honor of our common Patriot and Hero for FREEDOM, William Wallace, on the Saturday closest to August 23rd! I will be wearing my Blair tartan and colors, for sure.
Until then…
In Christ,
Deborah Houston
Dec. 20, 2023
Hi Deborah,
I hope you have a great time at Wallace Day when you get there! Keep checking the Society of William Wallace’s own pages at http://www.thesocietyofwilliamwallace.com/index.html and https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064535600457 for any updates and changes in the meantime and Merry Christmas to you!
Best wishes,
Averil