Braveheart sword in Tartan tour

The sword is kept at the Wallace Monument in Stirling

One of Scotland's national treasures, William Wallace's sword, could soon be leaving Scottish soil for the first time in more than 700 years.

The sword, often regarded as the guardian of Scotland, may go to New York as part of Tartan Week in April.

A decision on whether it will travel will be made by Stirling Council.

This year marks the 700th anniversary of the execution of Wallace, who led the Scots in their battle to free themselves from English rule.

Freedom's sword

His sword, which weighs 6lb and is 5ft 6in long, is encased in the National Wallace Monument in Stirling.

According to Elspeth King of the Stirling Smith Museum, the sword is not just a weapon, it is the guardian of the country.

She said: "Robert Burns wrote in his song said 'Wha for Scotland's king and law, Freedom's sword will strongly draw'.

"Many people in the generations since have thought of freedom's sword as being inseparable from Scotland's identity."

This is the first time that Stirling Council has been asked to take part in the annual Tartan Day celebrations in New York.

Mel Gibson played William Wallace in the film Braveheart

The sword will be put on display in Vanderbilt Hall in Grand Central Station in Manhattan.

Councillors said the sword would provide a showcase for Stirling, which was granted city status in 2002.

Provost Colin O'Brien, who would accompany the sword on its journey, said: "This is a good year for Stirling because it is the 700th anniversary of Wallace's execution.

"We have a programme in Stirling over the summer to mark this event.

"It clearly puts Stirling on the international stage. We are experiencing a great deal of interest from America already about the whole idea that the sword might be coming."

Getting the sword ready for its epic journey has taken weeks of careful preparation.

Civic officer Keith Brown has been co-ordinating operations.

Securely packed

He said: "The sword is fragile so it has to be packed very carefully. We have had an expert from the National Museums of Scotland who has drawn up the specifications for a case that's being constructed in London.

"It will then go into a material called plastazode, which secures the sword inside the crate, and be securely packed and shipped by the agents."

"There is a bit that's been repaired and replaced, and that is obviously the stress-point of the sword, and that is the part we have to protect when it is packed."

Once in New York, security guards will protect the sword day and night.

Stirling Council said that £1,400 cost of sending the sword to the US was no more than the average civic reception.

Wallace's life was brought to the movie screen by Mel Gibson in the acclaimed 1995 film Braveheart.

His sword was kept at Dumbarton Castle for 600 years.

It was later rehoused in the Wallace Monument in Stirling, overlooking the site of Wallace's victory at the Battle of Stirling Bridge in 1297.