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Archaeology Notes
Event ID 702503
Category Descriptive Accounts
Type Archaeology Notes
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/702503
NS46SW 4 44219 63048
(NS 4421 6304) Wallace's House (NR)
OS 6" map (1857)
The New Statistical Account (NSA) states that though this rather old-looking tenement, near the west end of Elderslie, is pointed out as the birthplace of Sir William Wallace (in 1270), if he was born here, it must have been in an earlier building on the same site. An old garden adjoins this house, a stone incribed "W W W Christ is only my Redeemer" in Roman letters was dug from the foundation of its walls early in the 19th century. It was taken to Elderslie House, the seat of Alexander Speirs (NSA 1845).
This house, probably known as "Wallace's House" is in a good state of preservation.
Name Book 1857
The building is now used as a storehouse and coalhouse. The tradition that it was Wallace's house still survives locally.
Visited by OS (JHO) 28 February 1951
The present building that bear Wallace's name are said to mark the site of his abode (cf NS46SW 18). The Account goes on to state that this is known also as 'Moat House' having strong corner bastions and walls connecting them in the garden, and protected by a moat 16 to 20ft wide.
Third Statistical Account (TSA) 1962
Mrs Hallifax Crawford says that the medieval kitchen, in a disused building, still retains the barrel-vaulted roof, fireplace and oven. This building also contains a number of sculptured stones taken from the castle.
A Hallifax-Crawford 1965
This group of buildings has been demolished except for one part of an outhouse to the medieval building.
Visited by RCAHMS (JBS) 18 April 1985
