Work to “elevate the profile” of the Wallace Monument in Elderslie will continue after it was interrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The structure celebrates the ‘Guardian of Scotland’ – a hero to many Scots for his feats in battle during the Scottish Wars of Independence – in the village where he is thought to have been born.

Proposals to renovate the land around the monument, which was built in 1912 and had plaques added in the 1970s, will go out to consultation with Elderslie Community Council and the Society of William Wallace.

Councillor Andy Steel, who represents Elderslie, explained: “I’d started work with officers at Renfrewshire Council in 2018 to elevate the profile of the monument around the globe, both to drive tourism in the area but also to celebrate this aspect of Elderslie and Scotland’s history.

“That work had only just begun when Covid put a halt to everything, but this is a project I am keen to keep working on.

“I was very grateful that officers at Renfrewshire Council took time to visit the site with me earlier this year, to look with fresh eyes at the area and to commission a site appraisal with suggestions to improve the layout.”

Council Steel said he doesn’t “pretend there’s a giant pot of cash just waiting to be spent” but feels the site could be “more impactful” for both visitors and local people.

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“The economic benefit is also important,” he added.

“Renfrewshire Council has a focus on developing the tourism economy across Renfrewshire and the Wallace monument must surely play a large part in that.

“Every penny which comes into the area can only help.

“There is much which could be looked at – planting of flowers, lighting, access, interpretative panels and so on.

“I look forward to Elderslie Community Council and the Society of William Wallace putting their points of view into the mix, and seeing what comes out of this.”

Wallace, whose life was famously dramatised by the film ‘Braveheart’, was born around 1270 and lived until 1305.

The knight was betrayed to the English, captured and sentenced to death in London, where he was hung, drawn and quartered.