Alloa

Alloa is a small burgh in Clackmannanshire, Scotland, 6 miles to the east of Stirling, on north bank of the River Forth. Its most notable visible landmark is the Alloa Tower, the surviving part of the ancestral medieval residence of the Erskine family, the Earls of Mar. The town was a burgh of barony.

An 1861 pamphlet on "Alloa and its Environs" suggests that the name derives from Aull Waeg - the way to the sea. During the 18th century, Alloa thrived as a river port through which the produce of Glasgow manufacture was exported to Europe.

The town itself was known for its weaving and glassmaking industries. Alloa was long associated with the brewing industry, with at least nine major breweries producing ales. However this industry declined severely during the late 20th century.

The town has suffered poor transport links since the Stirling-Alloa-Dunfermline rail service was closed in 1968. However the project for reopening the Stirling-Alloa-Kincardine rail link is expected to be completed in early 2007.

Alloa Athletic F.C. association football team are based at Recreation Park in the town.

The burgh population in a mid-19th century census was 6,440.

Notable people from the town include the footballer and commentator Alan Hansen and the artist Lys Hansen. The Canadian politician George Brown was born here in 1818. The founder of Forte Holdings which later merged with Trust house to become Trust House Forte, Lord Charles Forte, was raised in Alloa.

Alloa is served by Tesco and Morrison's supermarkets, and has an ASDA under construction.

Interesting places to visit near to Alloa include Tillicoultry, Dollar, Rumbling Bridge, Culross and Falkirk.