William Wallace statue's claymore spruced up

Jesse Rae, who chairs the William Wallace Trust, said the repair work was very welcome

A striking Borders landmark has undergone urgent restoration work.

The 31ft (9m) statue of William Wallace at Bemersyde was put up at the site near Dryburgh, Berwickshire, in 1814 by the 11th Earl of Buchan.

Recent years have seen its stone claymore suffer significant weather damage which has now been repaired.

Musician Jesse Rae, who chairs the William Wallace Trust, said he was "immensely grateful" to the Fallago Environment Fund (FEF) for funding the work.

The statue towers over the Borders landscape

The statue was sculpted from local sandstone by John Smith from Darnick, near Melrose.

It depicts Wallace in medieval Scottish armour, gripping his claymore in one hand, bearing a shield in the other, and is a commanding presence over the local landscape.

FEF chairman Gareth Baird, said: "The statue of William Wallace has stood proudly overlooking the rolling Borders countryside for over two centuries and is a much-loved landmark.

"We are delighted that funds generated by the Fallago Rig wind farm have helped safeguard such an important part of our region's heritage."

Further funding was also provided by the local community in order for the work to go ahead.