Photo source: AllyD at English Wikipedia, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Alloa Tower is a tower in Clackmannanshire, cared for by the National Trust for Scotland. Read about its history and architecture, plus how to visit and what's nearby.
About Alloa Tower
Alloa Tower stands in the town of Alloa in Clackmannanshire, a massive stone tower house dating back to the fourteenth century.
It is one of the largest surviving tower houses in Scotland, with walls over eleven feet thick in places.
The Erskine family held the tower for several centuries, and its upper floors retain an oak roof structure of medieval date.
The National Trust for Scotland has managed the tower since 1996.
Read more on WikipediaHistory of Alloa Tower
The tower was built for the Erskine family, who later became Earls of Mar. The family held Alloa for several centuries from the fourteenth century onward. The Erskine Earls of Mar acted as hereditary guardians to Scottish infant monarchs, and King James VI spent part of his upbringing at the tower. A fire in 1800 destroyed the adjoining mansion house built by the Erskines, but the medieval tower itself survived largely intact.
Architecture of Alloa Tower
The tower is built in rubble masonry with walls reaching over eleven feet thick at the base. It retains a medieval oak roof structure of considerable age and scale.
Worth knowing
The Erskine Earls of Mar served as hereditary guardians to Scottish infant monarchs, and King James VI spent part of his childhood at the tower.
Facilities
Plan your visit to Alloa Tower
Nearest station: Alloa Rail Station (0.4 miles)
Places to visit near Alloa Tower
Clackmannan Tower
View Clackmannan Tower on heritage mapDunmore Pineapple
View Dunmore Pineapple on heritage mapCambuskenneth Abbey
View Cambuskenneth Abbey on heritage mapStirling Old Bridge
View Stirling Old Bridge on heritage mapSt Ninians Cave
View St Ninians Cave on heritage mapHistoric places nearby
Within 5 miles of Alloa Tower there are 2 historic properties, including 1 monument and 1 tower, across Historic Environment Scotland and National Trust for Scotland sites.
Within 10 miles of Alloa Tower there are 21 historic properties, including 3 archaeological sites, 3 castles and 3 historic houses, across Historic Environment Scotland and National Trust for Scotland sites.
Within 20 miles of Alloa Tower there are 51 historic properties, including 13 castles, 10 historic houses and 9 archaeological sites, across Historic Environment Scotland, Historic Houses and National Trust for Scotland sites.
Stay nearby
Make more of your visit with an overnight stay near Alloa Tower.
Find places to stay nearby Affiliate link. We may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you.Facts
One of Scotland's largest surviving tower houses, built for a family entrusted with guarding infant Scottish kings.
- Type
- tower
- Location
- Clackmannanshire, Scotland
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