King of the woad

30 years of the Braveheart blockbuster

- BY DAN VEVERS

IT was the movie that changed Scotland... 30 years ago, Braveheart mania was sweeping the country after it was released in UK cinemas.

Mel Gibson's multi-Oscar winning biopic about Scottish freedom fighter William Wallace was a worldwide smash.

It sparked a resurgence of interest in Scottish history, both at home and abroad, and boosted tourism to historical sights, especially those linked to Wallace.

It is also said to have put £35million into the Stirling economy alone.

Here are 10 little known facts about the freedom-fighting, kilt-swirling, woad-painted epic.

JAMES COSMO & BRENDAN GLEESON