Clackmannanshire: Towers, Glens and Trails

Clackmannanshire offers a range of ways to explore the area: medieval towers and museums sit alongside gorges, woodland trails and protected natural areas. When looking for a hotel for your stay, you could start by considering whether you want to spend more time on heritage, scenery, or walking and hiking routes. The attractions and trails each offer a different focus.

Towers and regional history

Alloa Tower is a medieval tower house dating from the 14th century. Its architectural features include original oak roof beams, a medieval rib vault, a dungeon and an original indoor well. From the 15th century until around 1800, the tower was home to the Erskine family, the Earls of Mar. The building’s architectural history is thus connected with a family history spanning several centuries.

Castle Campbell is essentially a 15th-century castle that was later extended. The Campbells of Argyll acquired it as a stronghold near the royal court at Stirling Castle. The castle lies north of the town of Dollar in Clackmannanshire. Clackmannan Tower offers a separate historical connection: the 14th-century tower was built by a descendant of Robert the Bruce, and Robert Burns visited it. Its exterior can be viewed year-round.

The permanent exhibitions at Dollar Museum cover the history of Dollar, the Academy, and the coming and going of the railway. The museum also presents at least three temporary exhibitions each year on topics of local interest. The two types of exhibition offer different perspectives: the permanent exhibitions focus on recurring themes in local history, while the changing displays explore other local interests.

Gorges, woodland and wildlife watching

Gartmorn Dam is at the centre of a 370-acre country park and nature reserve. The 170-acre reservoir was created by Sir John Erskine, the 6th Earl of Mar, to power the pumps that drained his Sauchie mines. The history of the reservoir is therefore also connected with the area’s industrial heritage. Gartmorn Dam is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest and an important area for migrating waterfowl in winter. A variety of trails with clear paths invite visitors to go for a walk.

Park facilities include a children’s play area, several picnic areas and information boards about the former splendour of the old estate. A café or snack kiosk serves coffee and food. As visitor facilities and services may change, it is advisable to check their availability before your visit.

Alva Glen combines formal gardens with a wilder area offering views into a deep gorge. The trail passes the remains of an old dam that once supplied water to the mills. Wildlife sightings also vary by section: kestrels are often spotted on the rocky cliffs in the upper glen; grey wagtails can be seen year-round in the lower part of the gorge.

Dollar Glen is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest for its wildlife habitats and geology. Deep gorges, rushing streams, tall trees and a castle ruin shape the landscape. The main trail crosses the Dollar Burn and runs along the west side of the gorge before emerging behind Castle Campbell. Another walking route passes through a steep gorge to Castle Campbell and then crosses higher ground to the Glen Devon Reservoir. These details describe different route features; check current trail conditions before setting out on a hike.

Ochil Hills Woodland Park also has walking trails through deciduous woodland. Together with the trails at Gartmorn Dam and the gorges of Alva and Dollar, they offer a variety of landscapes: woodland paths, open views and narrow valleys. Comparing the destinations can help you plan your time around the landscapes that interest you most.

Routes and getting around

Several different route descriptions can help with planning longer journeys. The Devon Way is a seven-mile, traffic-free route from Alloa to Dollar. The Hillfoots Diamond Jubilee Way is 21 kilometres long and passes through Blairlogie, Menstrie, Alva, Tillicoultry, Dollar and Muckhart. Both descriptions give the length and course of the respective route; they connect different places. A cycling route links Tullibody with Menstrie, Alva and Tillicoultry and offers views of the Ochil Hills.

For regional orientation, the A907 runs through Clackmannanshire via Clackmannan, Alloa and Tullibody towards Stirling. The A91 runs from Muckhart along the Hillfoots to Blairlogie and Causewayhead. Alloa has a railway station with direct train services to Stirling and Glasgow. Check current timetables and train service information for your journey.

Whether you are more interested in medieval architecture, local history or trails through woodland and gorges, Clackmannanshire can be explored with these themes in mind. Use your interests to plan the order of your outings and your search for a hotel for your stay.

Discover more destinations: Clackmannanshire, Alloa, Dollar, Tillicoultry, Sauchie, Alva, Moray, Shetland Islands.

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