Site Report

WoSASPIN 18942
NS46SW 4 4421 6304.

(NS 4421 6304) Wallace's House (NR)
OS 6" map (1857)

The NSA states that though this rather old-looking tenement, near the west end of Elderslie, is pointed out as the birthplace of Sir William Wallace (in 1270), if he was born here, it must have been in an earlier building on the same site. An old garden adjoins this house, a stone incribed "W W W Christ is only my Redeemer" in Roman letters was dug from the foundation of its walls early in the 19th century. It was taken to Elderslie House, the seat of Alexander Speirs (NSA 1845).

This house, probably known as "Wallace's House" is in a good state of preservation.
Name Book 1857

"Wallace's House" is shown at this location on the OS 6" map, 1857.

The building is now used as a storehouse and coalhouse. The tradition that it was Wallace's house still survives locally.
Visited by OS (JHO) 28 February 1951

The present building that bear Wallace's name are said to mark the site of his abode (cf NS46SW 18). The Account goes on to state that this is known also as 'Moat House' having strong corner bastions and walls connecting them in the garden, and protected by a moat 16 to 20ft wide. TSA 1962

Mrs Hallifax Crawford says that the medieval kitchen, in a disused building, still retains the barrel-vaulted roof, fireplace and oven. This building also contains a number of sculptured stones taken from the castle.
A Hallifax-Crawford 1965

This group of buildings has been demolished except for one part of an outhouse to the medieval building.
Visited by RCAHMS (JBS) 18 April 1985

Pont's map depicts a tower and fortalice at Ellerslie. Roy's map depicts a rectilinear enclosure with bastions at the SW, SE and possibly NW corners, with possible buildings in the NE of the enclosure. (Description derived from a very poor reproduction). The OS 1st edition 25" map, surveyed in 1858, shows a rectangular enclosed garden measuring approx. 110 metres NE-SW by 90 metres NW-SE, with bastions at the corners of the S side.
Possible remains of the walls of this enclosure are visible in the garden of 241 Main Road, Elderslie, with an external ditch.
Information from Ian Samuels, 2nd June 1998.
CF 22/07/98.

HMcB met with Derek Alexander of CFA on site to discuss evaluation trench layout on 12.08.98. Site was grassed over, apart from modern monument and low, consolidated remains of the last building (possibly late/post-medieval) on site. Concrete slab paths approach and surround the extant foundations and the monument. There are substantial shrubbery beds to the north of the ruins and the area around and north of the monument has been heavily landscaped.
HMcB and CS visited evaluation work by CFA in progress on site on 31.08.98.
HMcB 26.10.98.

A fortified building is also depicted on this site on Gordon's map of Renfrewshire (ca. 1636-52), where it is named Ellersly.
Entered WoSAS (CS) 23/08/2005

The inscribed stone noted in the NSA is currently held at the offices of Elderslie Estate. The spelling of the inscription is slightly different to that noted above, in fact reading 'Crist is onlie my redemer', while two of the letter 'W's noted in the NSA may in fact be part of a chevron design rather than individual letters. Stylistically, the stone appears to be 17th century, post-dating the possible association of the site with Wallace.
Information from Newlands, J., 21/08/11
Entered WoSAS (MO'H) 22/08/2011