Menstrie Castle

Self-catering accommodation

Near Stirling, Scotland

01259 212478

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Clackmannanshire

Clackmannanshire is known as Scotland’s ‘Wee County’, as it is the smallest county in Scotland. It was at one time at the forefront of the thriving textile industry of the last century. The area also boasts a more ancient history, with historical houses and magnificent castle.

Visitors can still experience centuries old woollen manufacturing traditions, or enjoy the delights of walking in the stunning Ochil Hills.

The rapid waters running down the steep slopes of the Ochils provided power for a number of mills that employed the majority of the population. Later the coalfields were exploited to power new, steam-powered machinery and production expanded to nearby Alloa.

isitors can find out more about Clackmannanshire`s woollen making traditions in the Mill Trail Visitor Centre in Alva . In a fascinating audio-visual film, 12 year old Mary Simpson tells of her typical 14- hour working day in the local mills.

Alva at one time had nine mills the most impressive of which you can still see nestled in the foothills of the Ochils.

Clakcmannshire also has a number or mill shops selling traditional Scottish knitwear and products.  A “must visit” destination on the list of shoppers is Sterling Mills. A  retail outlet complex in Tillicoultry that offers great discount shopping in a wide choice of outlet shops. It is also said that Tillicoutry was once the site of a Pictish Fortress  that was dismantled to build part of Stirling Castle.

Along the hill foots of the picturesque Ochils are a number of villages each with their own identity,  Blairlogie, Menstrie, Alva, Tillicoultry, Dollar and Muckhart. The Ochils are a hill walker’s paradise. Overlooking the flat plains of the Forth Valley and enjoying splendid views across much of Central Scotland. The very fit may want to attempt the ‘round of the nine’ (peaks over 2,000 feet), but many are content to explore the winding paths leading through steep-sided glens to cascading waterfalls.

Tower houses and ancient castles abound in this land which is steeped with history.
 
 Menstrie Castle was the 16th century home of Sir William Alexander, who was chief founder of the colony of Nova Scotia in Canada, advising King James VI to create the Order of Baronets of Nova Scotia as a money-making scheme.
 
 Today the castle is converted into modern accommodation but still retains a commemoration room to the Baronets of Nova Scotia.

Castle Campbell, in a dramatic hillside setting overlooking the charming village of Dollar, was the 15th century home of the Earls of Argyll. Dollar castle is reached through Dollar Glen, a beautiful, wooded walkway through a steep-sided gorge. The history of Dollar village and the Devon Valley Railway is revealed through the fascinating displays at Dollar Museum. Other features include the cherry tree lined burn of the famous Dollar Academy.

The Ochil Hills Woodland Park in Alva features attractive walks, and informative visitor centre and a children’s play area.

Alloa one of the main towns is set on the banks of the Forth, and is famous for its major breweries.

Alloa Tower is a traditional 14th century tower house, built by the Erskine family, Hereditary Keepers of Stirling Castle. The Tower has been painstakingly restored and is now open to the public. More modern pursuits can be enjoyed at the town’s Leisure Bowl, with squash courts, snooker tables, carpet bowls and a modern leisure pool.

 Neighbouring Clackmannan, the former county town, was once a royal residence dating back to the 12th century, when Malcolm IV lived where the remains of Clackmannan Tower now stand. Clackmannan Church, built in the year of Waterloo, stands on a hill and is spectacularly floodlit at night.
 
Clackmannan Tolbooth was built in the late 16th century as William Menteith, the local sheriff, was no longer inclined to hold prisoners in his own home. The belfry tower is all that remains of the Tolbooth, next to the ancient standing stone or “Clack” of Mannan, associated with a pre-Christian sea-god. Sauchie Tower, now much ruined, was once the grand home of the Schaws of Sauchie.
 
 Close by is Gartmorn Dam, the oldest man-made reservoir still in use in Scotland. Built in 1713 by the Earl of Mar in an ambitious scheme to use water power to drive pumps in his coal mines, the Dam is now a Local Nature Reserve and the winter home of thousands of migratory ducks. You can enjoy walks around the dam, as well as brown trout fishing , and the visitor centre has many exhibits of the local wildlife.

We also offer Log Cabin accommodation on the picturesque banks of Loch Awe which you also may find of interest. For further information  www.lochawecabins.com

We would love to hear from you so please do not hesitate to contact us with your holidays dates and we will be pleased to offer further information.

Menstrie Castle, Menstrie, Near Stirling, Clackmannanshire, Scotland