William Wallace battle site tagged with Swastika

COUNCIL workers on Wednesday scrubbed a spray-painted Swastika off stonework at the site of Sir William Wallace’s famous victory over the English at the Battle of Stirling Bridge.

The old Stirling Bridge. Picture: Donald MacLeod

Vandals sprayed the Nazi motif on the setts at Stirling Old Brig - for some an iconic symbol of Scottish nationhood.

A cannabis leaf was also sprayed onto the bridge, on the stonework.

The Old Brig, which is still open to pedestrians and cyclists, was built in the late 1400s to replace the wooden one which Wallace fought for in 1297.

It was closed to vehicles in 1831, and replaced by a new one downstream, designed by Robert Stevenson.

It stands at the lowest fording place of the River Forth.

At the Battle of Stirling Bridge, Sir William Wallace and Sir Andrew Moray led a Scottish army to a resounding victory over Edward I of England.

Police say the incident happened between August 29 and September 2.

Inspector Donna Bryans, of Police Scotland, said: “The bridge is checked regularly by someone from Stirling Council and during their latest visit they discovered this graffiti.

“We never usually get problems of this kind with the bridge, so this is extremely regrettable.

“The bridge attracts many tourists every year.

“We are, therefore, keen to find out who was responsible.”