William Wallace

[Scottish_Republican]

The fact that "braveheart generation", as you put it, don't know him is down to our education system, run by generations of Labour and Conservative governments.

[Lianachan]

I would be inclined to blame Mel Gibson to a certain extent, too.

[BornAgainScot]

Why blame Gibson? All he did was see the potential for a good film - and there's no denying it is quite good! If you want to blame someone for Braveheart then how about the author? Randall Wallace is the one that totally distorted the truth!

[Lianachan]

Originally Posted by BornAgainScot

Why blame Gibson? All he did was see the potential for a good film - and there's no denying it is quite good! If you want to blame someone for Braveheart then how about the author? Randall Wallace is the one that totally distorted the truth!

Indeed yes. Sorry, by "Mel Gibson" I really meant the entire film and everybody responisible for it. Entertaining though it is.

[Scottish_Republican]

Originally Posted by BornAgainScot

Why blame Gibson? All he did was see the potential for a good film - and there's no denying it is quite good! If you want to blame someone for Braveheart then how about the author? Randall Wallace is the one that totally distorted the truth!

He distorted something that the "Scottish" education system forgot to tell people about.

How did I hear about Wallace and Bruce? My parents, and leisure reading. Barely a bloody word in school.

[scottishlover]

Originally Posted by Scottish_Republican

He distorted something that the "Scottish" education system forgot to tell people about.

How did I hear about Wallace and Bruce? My parents, and leisure reading. Barely a bloody word in school.

That is a shame. A dang shame. I had to learn on my own because I dont live in Scotland, but I thought schools were suppose to teach you about important people in history? Strategic or not, Wallace is a very important person as well as Bruce to the forming of Scotland and should be acknowledged as so. But alas, things don't always work out that way. T_T

[BornAgainScot]

History in Scottish schools was a bit English-biased unfortunately! We all seemed to learn about the Battle of Hastings, someone called Harald that burnt some cakes and the Magna Carta! In areas associated with Robert the Bruce - Stirling for the Battle of Bannockburn or Dunfermline where he is visited - then maybe 1314 was whispered, but that was more or less it!

Now things are getting better - and I suppose in part maybe Mel Gibson and Randall Wallace were responsible, for which we should be greatful - but there is still a long way to go! Scotland's history needs to be taught as much as possible, the good and the bad - and no more burnt cakes when we have inspirational spiders!