And finally… monumental casting

The Mexican filmmaker, a three-time Academy Award winner with ‘The Shape of Water’ and ‘Pinocchio’, visited Stirling more than two years ago with key members of his production team, including production designer Tamara Deverell, as he planned his latest epic.

‘Frankenstein’ will be released on Netflix this Friday after a successful nationwide cinema release and many local residents will be transfixed by the similarity between the scientist’s laboratory and the much-loved monument to Scottish patriot William Wallace, which was opened in 1869.

It is also hoped Stirling will continue to play centre stage for world class film and television productions, with work well underway on the redevelopment of the former military barracks at Forthside to create the new Stirling Studios complex and one of Scotland’s largest film production sites.

Tamara Deverell said: “The Wallace Monument was a very strong design influence for the look of our Abandoned Water Tower, which transforms into Victor Frankenstein’s cliffside laboratory.

“Guillermo, our concept artist Guy Davis, and I visited the Monument on our first location scout in Scotland in April 2023. We used the overall silhouette, the textures of the stone, the arched architecture, and, particularly, the turreted top in the design of our Frankenstein Tower.

“Like so much of Scotland, our first view of the Wallace Monument rising on a high point in the mist over the countryside was both breathtaking and extraordinarily inspirational!”

Hannah Lucas, commercial and operations manager at The National Wallace Monument, added: “We were delighted to arrange a visit for Mr del Toro and his team. We know how much they enjoyed their experience, particularly the striking architecture and breathtaking views across Stirling and surrounding areas.

“Many of our visitors ask about the connection between The National Wallace Monument, William Wallace and ‘Braveheart’, and we’re so pleased to recognise our role in another high-profile movie. We look forward to seeing the representation of the Monument in ‘Frankenstein’ when it is released this week on Netflix.”

Stirling Council leader, Cllr Gerry McGarvey, said: “The National Wallace Monument has been an iconic part of the Stirling and Scottish landscape for more than 150 years.

“It’s no surprise its Gothic architecture still continues to inspire and we’re delighted and proud to see its magnificent design represented in the new ‘Frankenstein’ movie from such a renowned filmmaker as Guillermo del Toro.

“The Monument attracted more than 130,000 visitors last year from all over the world and many ask about the connection with movies, particularly ‘Braveheart’. Our team are now weaving conversations about ‘Frankenstein’ into chats with the public around its ongoing significance in popular culture.

“As we celebrate the release of ‘Frankenstein’, it’s fitting we are also progressing with the exciting and transformational Stirling Studios project, due to be completed in 2026. This means in the future we will be able to host high-end cinema and television productions here in Stirling, delivering significant economic benefits in another key sector of the Scottish economy.”

Frankenstein’s lab and its striking resemblance to The National Wallace Monument is featured in this trailer.