Tyndall-Bruce Monument

The Tyndall-Bruce Monument sits atop Black Hill on the Falklands Estate. Its position is blessed with stunning views over the Fife countryside and the Lomond Hills.

The monument was commissioned by Lady Margaret Tyndall-Bruce to commemorate her husband, Onesiphorus Tyndall-Bruce who died in 1855.

We visited the Tyndall-Bruce monument while on a walk around the Falkland Estate. When visiting the village, where the name Tyndall-Bruce seems to pop up everywhere. The couple gave great deal to the area and I wanted to learn more about them.

In 1790, Onesiphorus Tyndall was born into a Bristol Quaker family. His ancestors had made their wealth as merchants, slave traders and had opened Bristol's first bank in 1750. After being educated at Eton and Oxford, he became a Barrister.

In 1828, Onesiphorus married Margaret Steward Hamilton Bruce and had 'Bruce' added to his own name by licence.

In 1788, Margaret was born in India, the illegitimate daughter of Robert Bruce to a native woman. On her father's death in 1797, the eight year old was sent from India to live with her Uncle John in Scotland. When John Bruce died in 1826, Margaret inherited the estate, along with a sizable sum of money and became the Keeper of Falkland Palace.

During her time with John Bruce, she had learned how to run of the estate. On marrying Onesiphorus, the Keeper of Falkland Palace title passed to him, and they both went on to successfully run things together.

When they married, Onesiphorus had significant gambling debts, which were paid off by Margaret. Although the motives of the marriage were questionable, they appeared to live happily at Nuthill House on the estate and Onesiphorus seemed to change his ways.

The couple became renowned for their generosity in the local area. They paid to have the Parish Church built and the installation of the village fountain.

In 1840, they had Nuthill House demolished and the House of Falkland built as their new home.

The original memorial plaque was carved with the words,

IN MEMORY OF ONESIPHORUS TYNDALL BRUCE ESQ WHO DIED 19TH MARCH 1855 ERECTED BY HIS TENANTRY

It is believed that the people of the village and local farmers built the monument, which would be no mean feat. The more recent plaque which covers the lower section of the original reads,

TO MARK THE CENTENARY OF THE LAIRD WHO FIRST AFFORESTED THE LOMONDS

TO THE GREAT BENEFIT OF HIS COUNTRY IN TWO WORLD WARS

ALSO TO RECORD A SEASON DURING WHICH 140 ACRES HAVE BEEN REPLANTED

THIS PLAQUE WAS UNVIELED ON 19TH MARCH 1955 BY

MRS MICHAEL CRICHTON-STUART OF FALKLAND

IN THE PRESENCE OF THE ESTATE FORESTERS

WHO INCLUDED DECENDANTS OF THE ONE WHO TOOK PARK IN THE FIRST PLANTING

AND THE LAIRD WHO SUCCEEDED Mr BRUCE TO THE ANCIENT TITLE OF

HER MAJESTY'S FORESTER OF FALKLAND

THESE WOODLANDS ARE DEDICATED

IN THE HOPE THAT THEY MAY NEVER AGAIN BE DEVASTATED IN THE CAUSE OF WAR

NOR BY THE FIRES OF THE CARELESS

The design and location of the monument took a couple of years to agree. Some of the locals disagreed on the position of the structure, citing that it would spoil the Black Hill terrace and views. Nevertheless, by 1857 it was agreed and the 18m tall monument was built.

The lower part of the building is a tapered circular room with an arched entrance and narrow slit openings. The upper part of the building is narrower and also tapered. It is a truly imposing structure that can be seem of miles around.

In 2015, the Tyndall-Bruce Monument underwent a significant restoration project funded through the Living Lomonds' Landscape Partnership.

Margaret died in 1869, and with no children. In 1887, the 3rd Marquess of Bute (John Crichton-Stuart), bought Falkland Palace became the Keeper of Falkland Palace. It has remain in the Crichton-Stuart family ever since.

The Tyndall-Bruce Monument is a Category B Listed Building with Historic Environment Scotland.

Start your walk at the Maspie Den car park next to the Stables cafe.

Be sure to take the detour and visit the Maspie Burn Waterfall first.

On your way up to the monument by sure to also visit the Temple of Decisions which isn't too far from the Tyndall-Bruce Monument.

It is around 3km with 180m of ascent to reach the monument.

Follow the above route, or find on OS Maps.