The last remaining section of an oak tree to which William Wallace was reputedly chained more than 700 years ago is set to go on display at Hunterston Castle.

The North Ayrshire venue will welcome members of the Society of William Wallace to a special open day at the castle in May when the only remaining part of the tree will be put on show to the public.

Wallace, according to legend, was chained to the tree after being captured by English soldiers at Robroyston, near Glasgow, in August 1305. He was then transported to London, where he was tried, convicted and put to death.

After being taken to Mentieith’s stronghold of Dumbarton Castle, oral tradition states that he was taken across the River Clyde to West Ferry, then along the Roman Road and chained to an oak tree in what is now Port Glasgow.
Largs and Millport Weekly News:

 

The first signs of decay were spotted in the tree in 1768, when the 13th Earl of Glencairn, on whose land it stood, noticed it was becoming hollowed out.

He bored into the tree and poured black pitch into the hollow section - which had the desired effect and resulted in new growth taking root. 

For a time the tree was also home to a symbolic gesture in which a chain was coloured red and wrapped around the trunk to represent Wallace’s blood.

But after more than 200 years of efforts to save it, the tree finally succumbed in a storm in 1992.

The last remaining section of the tree - about the size of a large sofa - was taken to its "final resting place" at the 13th-century castle, the historic seat of the Clan Hunter, in August 1992 after three years in storage in Port Glasgow.

 

Largs and Millport Weekly News:

Hunterston Castle and the Wallace Oak will be open from 11am to 4 pm on Sunday May 12.

For this event, a special charge will apply of £10 per adult. 

Under-16s can enjoy free entry but must be accompanied by a responsible adult).

Book at clanhunterscotland.com/wallace-oak-open-day.