Speirs Centre - Alloa, Craigward Maltings 1929, Donaldson's Mill Sauchie 1920,
Clackmannanshire History
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Clackmannanshire with its dramatic landscape of flat carseland between the dominant Ochil Hills and the banks of the River Forth, has since the prehistoric age been a strategic location for settlements. A bronze age cemetery was uncovered by chance, by road workers in 1828, and recent archaeological excavation uncovered an iron age cist containing the skeleton of a man, buried fully clothed with sword. Gold and pottery found around these sites and are now exhibited at the National Museum of Scotland. Clackmannanshire's importance continued to grow, and from the 11th century, Clackmannanshire was home to many distinguished Scottish families who were required to be in close proximity to the Royal Court at Stirling Castle . The castles and tower houses are in evidence today, and can be visited as part of the 'Tower Trail' and include, Alloa Tower, Castle Campbell, Menstrie Castle, Clackmannan Tower and Sauchie Tower. In the last three centuries the county has seen the rise and decline of many industries, including coal and silver mining; ship building and the use of Alloa as a port; brewing; distilling; pottery-, brick- and tile-making; and especially the textile industry with its many wool-spinning and weaving mills in Alloa, Clackmannan and the Hillfoot villages. In contrast, United Glass (now OI Manufacturing) founded in the mid 18th century, is the oldest glass works in Europe still working today at its original site. Although many of the civic buildings and homes, and the factories of the Industrial revolution have now gone, those remaining, such as the Speirs Centre and Paton School in Alloa can still be seen and appreciated. Museum and Heritage ServicesThe Museum and Heritage Service has a wide-ranging collection gathered during the last forty years, as well as a growing art collection. Artefacts from Patons & Baldwins Kilncraigs Mill, founded in c1814, with its accompanying documentary archive, probably forms the most complete group of historical material from a wool-spinning mill to have been preserved in Britain . Dollar MuseumDollar Museum occupies two floors of an early 19th century woollen mill, and has a wide ranging collection illustrating all aspects of the history of Dollar. Open Saturdays 11am-1pm & 2pm -4.30pm, Sundays 2pm - 4.30pm, or by prior arrangement with the curator. Tullibody Heritage CentreThe Tullibody Heritage Centre holds an impressive selection of artifacts and photographic documentation of Tullibody and Cambus, one of the oldest villages in Scotland. The centre is run entirely by dedicated volunteers and is open on Saturday's from 2pm until 4pm, or by appointment, please visit their website for details. |
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