Our second stop on the William Wallace Trail is Dumbarton Castle. Dumbarton Castle is built on an extinct volcano known as Dumbarton Rock. In 1305 William Wallace was captured by Sir John Menteith and held in Dumbarton Castle before being sent to London for his execution. He was betrayed by Menteith and captured in Robroyston after agreeing with Mentieith to travel there to meet Robert The Bruce. On this part of the William Wallace Trail you can explore the remains of the castle and admire the stunning views from the top the rock. It was here the famous William Wallace Sword was discovered and is now on display at The Wallace Monument.
This part of the William Wallace Trail takes in the last hours of William Wallace's life in Scotland. Dumbarton Castle was one of the most secure Castles in Scotland, and was also used to house Mary Queen of Scots before she departed to France. The Castle has the longest recorded history of a strong hold in Scotland. The rock on which the Castle sits is a volcanic plug created 334 million years ago. As far back as the Iron Age the site has been used as strategic settlement. It sits on the banks of the River Clyde and is obvious, to see why it was such a strategic location. After Wallace's brief stay at the Castle he was marched to London for his execution.
William Wallace Trail Dumbarton Castle
