Home Report Alloa

Alloa, Clackmannanshire, is a town of roughly 20,000 residents sitting in the central lowlands of Scotland, about 5 and ½ miles to the east of Stirling and about 8 miles north of Falkirk. Alloa developed on the north bank of the Forth River through there is some debate about it as some say this is where it ceases to be the River Forth and becomes the Firth of Forth.

No matter which way you look at it, Alloa’s development and historic prosperity owes much to the river. In recent times, from the industrial revolution to the 1970s, the local economy relied heavily on shipping and trade to and from mainland Europe. This however came to a gradual halt as Grangemouth became the main port for Scotland because it could accommodate the larger vessels that were being built to hold ever-larger cargos. Coal mining was the other main industry of the area, in fact, at one time the port of Alloa was shipping more than 50,000 tonnes of coal every year at the peak. Other main industries of the area included glassware, textile production like wool, brewing ales, and malt distilling. In fact, there were no less than nine breweries in the area producing ales at its peak, and the Carsebridge distillery was also the largest grain distillery in Scotland.

With the decline of these industries, today the economy of Alloa is mainly retail and leisure-focused. Many of the residents also commute to work in the larger nearby towns of Stirling, Falkirk and Dunfermline. As such, transport links around Alloa are well developed. The town has its own railway station which connects to Glasgow Queen Street Station and the journey time is just under an hour. In the opposite direction, the line also takes passengers through to Kinross and Perth. There are numerous regular bus routes to the surrounding towns. For car users, Alloa has connections to the east to the A91, which offers further connections to Perth to the north and wider Scottish Highlands, and the M876, M80 and M9 to the south, for connections to Glasgow, Edinburgh, southern Scotland, and England.

In terms of amenities and things to do, Alloa has the usual independent restaurants, takeaways, pubs, chain stores and leisure centres of a small town. There are many parks in the area and Gartmorn Dam Country Park & Nature Reserve is worth highlighting particularly due to its excellent scenic walking routes and chance for families to enjoy the fresh air and nature. Alloa’s most famous attraction and landmark is the 15th century Alloa Tower, which is an imposing 68 feet high building, and the surviving part of the ancestral medieval residence of the Erskine family, the Earls of Mar. For golfers, the Alloa Golf Club is a beautiful course set amongst 150 acres of rolling parkland with views of the Ochil Hills. Residents of Alloa also benefit from Stirling’s amenities and attractions given the proximity of the nearby town (just shy of 20 minutes away).

In terms of local schooling, Alloa has town has two high schools; Lornshill Academy and Alloa Academy. There are four Primary schools: Sunnyside; Redwell; Park and St. Mungos.

If you’re looking for a home report in Alloa or other or wider Clackmannanshire localities, you’ll find a Shepherd’s branch in Stirling at 11 Gladstone Place, Stirling, FK8 2NN. We cover all properties across this area including Aberfoyle, Alva, Ardchyle, Ardeonaig, Arnprior, Arrivain, Auchessan, Auchlyne, Auchmore, Auchreoch, Auchtertyre, Balquhidder, Bannockburn, Batavaime, Benmore Farm, Boreland, Bovain, Bridge of Allan, Brig O’ Turk, Buchlyvie, Callander, Camusurich, Causewayhead, Clifton, Cononish, Cowie, Crianlarich, Dollar, Doune, Dunblane, Duncroisk, Easter Buckieburn, Fallin, Finlarig, Gargunnock, Gartmore, Glendevon, Glenlochay, Glenogle, Inverdran, Inverherive, Inversnaid, Invertrossachs, Kenknock, Killin, Kilmahog, Kiltyrie, Kinlochard, Kinnell, Kippen, Laggan, Ledcharrie, Locharnhead, Luibb, Menstrie, Mid Lix, Milton Morenish, Morenish, Muckhart, Murlaganmore, North Third, Old Plean, Port of Menteith, South Alloa, Starthyre, Stronachlachar, Stirling, Throsk, Tillicoultry, Trossachs, Tullich, Tyndrum, and Whins of Milton, equating to postcode areas FK7, FK8, FK9, FK10, FK11, FK12, FK13, FK14, FK15, FK16, FK17, FK18, FK19, FK20, and FK21. We are available at our office to give you a quote at any time. Nobody can offer the same level of local market knowledge as Shepherd, our wealth of experience, proven industry expertise and vast network of offices stand testament to that.