Testimonials

This tour I had planned 20 years back, but due to poor health, I had postponed it. I had a rough idea of where I wanted to go in Scotland, but as I couldn’t drive, I spent a long time looking for a tour guide who specialised in William Wallace and the Scottish years of independence. I couldn’t find anyone. I looked again around 2010, but again, most tour guides in Scotlands are generic, and know just general history of Wallace, but I wanted to know all the intricate details abut him, and that required a special person who could drive me to all the relevant places and give me a detailed running commentary of the history, and the legendary man.

Fast forward to 2025, and I find a YouTube channel called ‘Robert the Bruce - Genius of Bannockburn’. I saw a few videos and was instantly engaged, Max had caught my eye, I instantly knew I had to contact him and request his service to be my tour guide. Max agreed, and he modified my original itinerary to that which would be also accessible for my wheelchair, and Max had even gone to sites to check if it would be safe for me to go. Much respect!

Me and my friend Andrea drove up from London, and met Max at my Edinburgh hotel, he instantly put us at ease, and the journey in the car to our first location, it felt like we had known each other for years. He’s endearing, he has a unique way of telling stories from the past, and made us feel comfortable and we were lucky enough to tap into his years of historical knowledge, and so I fired away with questions that I had for decades about Braveheart - the film which started my passion for Wallace, and to also talk about the characters surrounding his legacy, like Andrew Murray and John Graham.

First day was feature packed, we went to Crawford castle - this was my first time seeing a place associated with Wallace, and I had goosebumps knowing he torched this garrison; Lanark to see where all the troubles began for him; St Kentigern’s church - my highlight of the trip and a stunning place which deserves to be protected; Abbey Craig at Stirling and the breathtaking view where Wallace and Andrew Murray defeated the English; then Cambuskenneth Abbey - the last 2 which ended up surprising me, as I cannot physically climb steps, yet somehow I managed to [thanks Max], likely due to 20 years of built up excitement and adrenaline to see the lands of the national hero.

Day 2, we went to the Wallacestone at Falkirk and saw the exact battle location - how incredible this landscape was with Max describing the battle scene to us, just seeing the battle site in person, it sends your thoughts and emotions into overdrive, knowing what occurred here in 1298. We then went to see John de Grahams tomb, I had wanted to see this for many years, the close friend of Wallace, and it was well worth the long wait. We then had unexpected free access to Torwood castle and to see the Wallace Oak tree - my first time being in a castle, what an experience!. We then finished the day at Dundaff castle. At this point I was quite overwhelmed with how much of Scotland we had already seen, and how much more knowledge of Wallace as a man and warrior, I gained. As always, the journey back to the hotel was always filled with interesting stories from the past, and you honestly can’t get this information and passion, from standard tour operators

Day 3, we went to Dunfermline Abbey, this place sends you back to medieval times, it has such a mysterious ancient aura around it, you can feel it when you go through the grounds. Although the big attraction was Robert the Bruce, I wanted to go there to see Margaret Crawford mother of Wallace, this was lovely to see. We then went to a place I had been eagerly awaiting, Old Kirk Yaird, where Wallace was knighted, I honestly couldn’t be happier at this point, it was such a stunning place, just knowing Wallace had been on the same ground as I was on, and touching the same walls he brushed past - my Wallace experience exceeded my expectations at this point!. We then finished at Melrose Abbey, and this was the perfect place to finish, such beauty in the ruins and you really get to appreciate the historical beauty of Scotland.

I knew right here, and realised I didn’t want to end the tour, and wanted to stay on. I had decided at that moment to plan my second trip with Max, and discover even more of Scotland and all things Wallace related. Max’s knowledge of Wallace, had fuelled my passion even more, and painted him in an even more glorious light. If I had gone to Scotland just with my friend, without someone like Max, it wouldn’t have been the same experience, there are some parts of history that are passed down that you cannot learn from history books, and that’s where Max comes in.

Warmest regards and see you soon again my friend.