A man has been fined for relieving himself at one of Stirling’s most historic sites.
Police were called to the National Wallace Monument at 2.40pm on Sunday, January 25, after receiving reports that the man was ‘exposing himself’ by urinating at the top of the monument.
Six officers quickly detained the offender and issued him a fixed penalty notice and he will have to pay a hefty fine as a result of defaming the monument.
A Stirling Council spokesperson said that staff at the monument “responded in line with security protocols and police were called to deal with the incident.”
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 2.40pm on Sunday, January 25, we received a report of a man exposing himself and urinating on a monument in Hillfoot Road, Stirling.
“Officers attended and traced him. He was issued with a fixed penalty notice.”
Last year, Stirling Council estimated that over 130,000 people had visited the Wallace Monument over the year. It’s likely that some unfortunate tourists would have been horrified by the incident at the time it occured.
The Wallace Monument was built in 1869 to commemorate Scottish hero William Wallace, who won the Battle of Stirling Bridge at the site of the monument in 1297. The monument overlooks Stirling University and the town of Stirling.
Some students may be more familiar with William Wallace from actor Mel Gibson’s portrayal of him in the historical action film Braveheart, which held its premiere in Stirling University’s MacRobert’s Art Centre back in 1995.
The 150-year-old shrine also served as inspiration for Guillermo del Toro’s film adaptation of Frankenstein, which came out last year.
Whether this was a deliberate act of defiance or a drunk and disorderly mistake on the offender’s part is still murky water. One thing is clear, however: When it comes to William Wallace, Stirling isn’t taking the piss.
Featured Image Credit: University of Stirling
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