Alloa Tower
The largest surviving keep in Scotland, the Erskines' tower at Alloa, where Mary, Queen of Scots spent part of her childhood.
Alloa Tower is the largest surviving keep in Scotland, a massive medieval tower in a park at the edge of Alloa town centre.
It dates back to the 1300s and was built to guard a ferry crossing on the River Forth, and it became the ancestral seat of the Erskines, the Earls of Mar and Kellie, loyal supporters of the Stuart kings. Mary, Queen of Scots and her son, James VI, both spent part of their childhoods here in the family's care.
The tower looks forbidding from outside, but inside it is full of art and riches. John Erskine, the 6th Earl of Mar and leader of the 1715 Jacobite Rising, built an elegant mansion within the old walls. Look for portraits by Raeburn and Van Dyck, the family's china and silver, and the medieval Solar under its original oak roof timbers, then climb the spiral stair to the roof walk, where the view reaches across nine counties.
Open 3 April to 31 October, Friday to Monday, 12 noon to 4pm (last entry 3pm).
Closed in winter. Adults £9.50, children £5.50; free for Trust members. No need to book.
- Season
- 3 Apr to 31 Oct.
- Days
- Fri to Mon, 12:00 to 16:00; last entry 15:00.
- Price
- Adult £9.50; child £5.50.
Opening hours
- Monday
- noon–4pm
- Tuesday
- Closed
- Wednesday
- Closed
- Thursday
- Closed
- Friday
- noon–4pm
- Saturday
- noon–4pm
- Sunday
- noon–4pm
Alloa Park Drive, Alloa, FK10 1PL.
Clackmannan TowerA tall tower house of the 1300s on the King's Seat hill above Clackmannan, built by a kinsman of Robert the Bruce.2 miles6 min by road
ClackmannanThe old county town on its hill, with a tolbooth of 1592, a mercat cross and the ancient Stone of Mannan.2 miles6 min by road
Sauchie TowerA plain, tall tower house of the 1430s built by the Schaws at Sauchie, where Mary, Queen of Scots came in 1565.3 miles7 min by road
Menstrie CastleMenstrie Castle is one of the oddest members of the Clackmannanshire Tower Trail, found in the middle of a housing estate.5 miles11 min by road
Blairmains Farm ShopA family farm shop and coffee bothy at Blairlogie, at the foot of the Ochils, opened on the old dairy farm in 2001.6 miles11 min by road
Places to stay near the tower, and when each is next free.
Scotland, in print.
Every photograph commissioned, every word written by somebody who went. Printed twice a year, made in Scotland.
For further reading, before you go.