THE first ever memorial to the Battle of Stirling Bridge has been unveiled on the spot where a Scottish army led by William Wallace and Andrew de Moray defeated the English in 1297.

Around 300 people gathered on the north side of the River Forth at Stirling to see three granite lecterns unveiled.

A saltire flag was also raised, which will now fly permanently where the outnumbered Scots clashed with the English army 718 years ago.

The tribute was organised by the Guardians of Scotland Trust, a charity set up in 2013 to honour Wallace and de Moray, both of whom held the title during their lifetimes, at the battlefield.

Fergus Wood, chairman of the Trust, said: "It's taken over 718 years to get here, but for the first time we now have a memorial to the Battle of Stirling Bridge and the two Guardians of Scotland who commanded the Scottish army on the site where it happened.

"It's been a long time in coming. The Battle of Stirling Bridge was one of the most important battles in Scotland's history."

The granite lecterns, inscribed with information about de Moray, Wallace and the battle are made from stone from nearby Bannockburn.

Unveiled by Stirling schoolchildren, they constitute not only the first memorial on the site of the battle, but also the first to commemorate Wallace and Moray together.

The National Wallace Monument, which overlooks the site, commemorates Wallace himself.

Although Moray was the senior commander in the battle, he died from his wounds and is largely forgotten. But it was he who raised the standard to mark the start of the War for Independence in 1297.

The current Earl of Moray, Andrew de Moray's direct descendant and patron of the Guardians of Scotland Trust, said: "We judge heroes like Wallace and Moray by how legend and history comes down to us.

"From Wallace's sword it is easy to conjure an image of this heroic figure but for Moray there is nothing tangible.

"Finally, in this monument we have a place where people can go to think about Wallace and Moray, a man who died for his beliefs and cause only a stone's throw away."

Stewart Maxwell, MSP, convener of the Scottish Parliament's Education and Culture Committee, said: "People have passed by here every day with no idea what happened here.

"But Scotland is here because of that battle, and the work of Wallace and Moray. The country stands on the shoulders of these two giants who gave their lives for their country.

"It's too important to forget."

Although Wallace is remembered as Scotland's national hero, it was Moray who led the Northern Rising against the rule of King Edward I of England in the summer of 1297.

He raised the standard at Ormond Castle, Avoch, overlooking the Moray Firth, and led an army to successfully regain control of the north for King John of Scotland.

In the late summer, Moray merged his forces with those of Wallace and jointly led the combined army to victory at the Battle of Stirling Bridge.

Moray died after the battle and is believed to have been buried in Fortrose Cathedral, close to Avoch, although the site is not marked.

Wallace's role saw him made Guardian of Scotland the following year, although he was defeated by King Edward himself at Falkirk in the summer of 1298.