About Alloa
Alloa is a town in Clackmannanshire , Scotland. It has become a vibrant town over recent years and is becoming ever more popular with both new home buyers and first time buyers alike.
With plenty of interesting places to visit within a short drive, there's enough to keep even the most energetic of families entertained.
If you are considering a move to Alloa, this site aims to give you all the information you need about living, working or playing in Alloa. If you need any additional information not included here, please feel free to contact us by clicking here.
The History of Alloa
Alloa is a small burgh in Clackmannanshire, Scotland, 6 miles below Stirling, on north bank of the Forth. It’s most notable feature is the Alloa Tower, while the Alloa Athletic F.C. association football team are based in the town. In 2001, Alloa had a population of 25,803
The Wee County
Just across the Firth of Forth is Scotland’s smallest County. Clackmannanshire, known as ‘The Wee County’. The floral ‘Hillfoots’ villages, Alva, Tillicoultry and Dollar, await you with their tower houses, castles, woollen mills and beautiful parks, with the majestic Ochil Hills as a backdrop to the north.
Cut through with deep glens, the Ochils offer many beautiful walks. One of the most popular is the climb to the summit of Dumyat, near Menstrie. At the other end of the range Dollar Glen is a romantic wooded valley through a narrow gorge. Perched about it is Castle Campbell, a 15th Century stronghold of the powerful Clan Campbell.
This Hillfoots are famous for changing weaving from a cottage industry to an industrial process, making the area the second most important weaving centre in Scotland. Explore the history at the Mill Trail Visitor Centre in Alva, which is also the start of the trail that takes you to modern-day factory shops – perfect for souvenirs. Dollar Museum picks up the thread of the story as it spins the tale of the village, while Menstrie Castle dates back to the 16th century. Even older, take a look at the recently restored Alloa Tower, a 14th century tower house with its tremendous 11ft thick walls.
Clackmannan boasts an even older tower, while Gartmorn Dam is the oldest man-made reservoir in Scotland. Today it’s now a haven for wildlife, including thousands of wintering birds. It’s also one of the many good fishing and walking spots in the area. Other attractions include Motormania in Tillicoultry.
Alloa Tower
Dating from the 1300s, Alloa Tower is one of the largest surviving medieval tower houses. Of special interest are the original oak roof beams, medieval groin vaulting, a pit dungeon and the original internal well.
The Tower was significantly modified in the early 18th century by the 6th Earl of Mar, including the addition of a domed Italianate staircase leading to the Great Hall. The Erskines were custodians of the young Mary, Queen of Scots; the 1st Earl was Regent of Scotland; and the 6th Earl was involved in the 1715 Jacobite Uprising. The Erskine family of Alloa Tower were, as Earls of Mar, guardians of the Stuart heirs in the 16th century; the present Earl of Mar and Kellie is still hereditary keeper of Stirling Castle.
The fascinating story of the family and the Tower is illustrated by a superb collection of portraits loaned by the present Earl, including paintings by David Allan, Raeburn and Kneller.
Alloa Tower is managed by the National Trust for Scotland. For details of opening hours, admission charges and facilities please see the Alloa Tower information on the NTS website.
