Alloa Tower, clackmannan - Wee Guides to Scotland Castles and Mansions

Wee Guides to Scotland
Alloa Tower, Clackmannan

Goblinshead

130 Inveresk Rd
Musselburgh
EH21 7AY
SCOTLAND

Alloa Tower is a large 14th- or 15th-century keep with very thick walls, and still retains a fine, medieval timber roof. The keep is crowned by a parapet with open rounds, but the building was altered in the 18th century, with the insertion of large regularly spaced windows and a new stair. A later mansion, adjoining the castle, was destroyed by fire in 1800. The tower has been renovated. Alloa was given to Sir Robert Erskine, Great Chamberlain of Scotland, in 1360, and has remained with his descendants until the present day. Mary, Queen of Scots, was reconciled with Darnley, here in 1565; and made the family Earls of Mar. The 6th Earl 'Bobbing John' led the Jacobites in the 1715 Rising. He was so-called because he changed sides between the Hanoverians and Jacobites. The Rising was a failure, partly because of Mar's poor leadership, and he fled to France where he died, although his son recovered the lands. Although still owned by the Erskines, the tower is now in the care of the National Trust for Scotland. Collection of portraits of the Erskine family. Disabled WC and access to ground floor only.

Directions:	Off A907, in Alloa, Clackmannan
Ownership:	NTS	01259 211701	Ord. Survey Map Ref:	NS 889925 58
Open:	Easter weekend, then daily May to September 1.30-5.30pm
Key:	P Nearby S WC £	Click Here for explanation of Key and other abbreviations

Fax: +44 (0) 131 653 6566 Tel: +44 (0) 131 665 2894
email: goblinshead@sol.co.uk