William Wallace Heritage Trust
His Pain
Wallace and his followers, as one would expect, knew the area in and around Lanark much better than their enemy. There were many potential rendezvous points available to them in the area. Local legend has it that on this occasion their preferred choice was a cave known to them in crags by the river. But the River Clyde or Mouse Water? History is vague on this issue. One legend suggests they fled south to Cartland Crags on the River Mouse, but Cartland Crags are north of Wallace’s home? In truth, Wallace and his band probably had the option of both and many others besides! But on this occasion, circumstances and logic dictate they fled towards the River Clyde and the vast Ettrick Forest to consider their next move.
Wallace’s band kept moving south and downhill, through the heavily wooded hillside, until they reached the bank of the River Clyde at Dundaff Linn. From here they moved upriver in the direction of the Falls of Clyde. They were able to move at speed, comforted by the knowledge that any noise created by their flight would be drowned out by the noise of the river as it raced through the narrow gorge. Their immediate destination was a small cave set in the north face of the gorge between Corra Linn and Bonnington Linn, the Falls of Clyde.
