SCOTLAND’S braveheart William Wallace was once again crowned in Selkirk’s Auld Kirk.

The re-enactment of Wallace being made Guardian of Scotland, which took place on Saturday, was part of a show to increase awareness of the significance of the site and the wider town in Scottish history.

The event was put on after a recent archaeological survey discovered the underground remains of a medieval chapel - where it is thought the freedom fighter was given his accolade following his, and Andrew Moray’s, defeat of the English army at the Battle of Stirling Bridge in 1297.

Colin Gilmour, Selkirk CARS project officer, told the Border Telegraph: “The day went very well – the talks were fully subscribed and were very interesting and positively received. 

“Around 50 people joined the procession to the Auld Kirk for the re-enactment.

“The Society of William Wallace were very pleased with the events and are keen to do more of this in the future, so hopefully this was just the start of making the most of the connection between Selkirk and William Wallace,” he added.

The day started with an exciting medieval camp formed in the grounds of the Haining, with various craft demonstrations on show as well as re-enactors in full medieval dress.

Visitors were then treated to two talks in the afternoon by renowned Wallace expert Dr Fiona Watson and local archaeologist Dr Chris Bowles.

Dr Watson said: “This is where Wallace went to recruit and train men. 
“There is no doubt he was in Selkirk for several weeks in the summer of 1297.

“Following the Battle of Stirling Bridge in September that year, there is a tradition that he was knighted and made Guardian of Scotland at Selkirk.
“The great and the good would have been there.”

In his talk, Dr Bowles provided background to the recent archaeological findings and explained their relevance to the Scottish Borders.

Afterwards, Dr Watson. the world-renowned expert on medieval Scottish politics and warfare, talked about the historical research and links between Wallace and the Wars of Independence, with specific reference to his connection to Selkirk and the wider Borders.

The ruins of the Auld Kirk date from the 18th century, but this had replaced churches from as far back as the 12th and 16th centuries.

Experts say the link between Wallace and the Borders has been well documented, as he used the Ettrick forest to engage in Guerrilla tactics to ambush the English.

Brief timeline of William Wallace:

Wallace was born in the 1270s in Elderslie in Renfrewshire.

In 1296, Edward I of England imposed himself as the ruler in Scotland, after a succession crisis in the country.

In 1297, Wallace attacked the town of Lanark, killing the English Sheriff - and unrest turned to a full-blown rebellion.

Men flocked to join him and they started to push the English army out of Fife and Perthshire.

Wallace went on the win the Battle of Stirling Bridge, which weakened the English army’s hold on the country and he began to launch raids on England. This is when he was knighted and appointed Guardian of Scotland.

But the defeat angered Edward I and he marched across the border with an army.

Wallace’s strategy was to avoid confrontation and he eventually withdrew.
But the armies met once again near Falkirk and the Scots were defeated.

Wallace went abroad to seek support for Scotland and he returned in 1303.

But while he was away, Robert Bruce accepted a truce with Edward I and John Comyn also came to terms with the English.

However, Wallace was excluded from the terms and the English king offered a large sum of money to anyone who captured him.

In 1305. he was captured around Glasgow and was transported to London, where he was charged and tried with treason.

His execution was held on August 23. His head was placed on London Bridge and his limbs were displayed in Newcastle, Berwick, Stirling and Perth.

And Wallace’s success also inspired filmmakers in 1995, with Mel Gibson directing the popular epic, Braveheart.