Alloa and Clackmannanshire in a nutshell
Alloa is a town in Clackmannanshire, Scotland. Direct ScotRail trains run from Alloa to Stirling in about 8 minutes on average and to Glasgow Queen Street in about 45 minutes, which makes the town a workable base for a trip that takes in castles, hills and canal engineering.
The town has its own history. Alloa Tower is the medieval tower house of the Erskine family. Kilncraigs was the wool mill of John Paton, Son and Co., founded in 1814, and the surviving office and storage buildings are still in use. Stone and roof repairs there run from June to December 2026, so expect work around the building. The Speirs Centre on Primrose Place houses a local family history centre and gives access to the community archive. Alloa was also a major brewing town, with up to nine breweries working at the same time in its heyday.
What this guide covers
Alloa first, then the places you can reach in a day.
Behind Alloa rise the Ochil Hills, with the Hillfoots towns of Alva, Tillicoultry and Dollar at their foot. Dollar is the starting point for Dollar Glen and Castle Campbell, and Dumyat, near Menstrie, is the most popular hill walk at the western end. Further out are Stirling Castle, the Wallace Monument, the Falkirk Wheel and the Kelpies, and the village of Culross on the Firth of Forth. Separate pages cover the weather, how to get here from Edinburgh and Glasgow, and where to stay. Prices are in pounds sterling (£), as of 2026, and they change.
Our picks: tours around Alloa
None of these start in Alloa: they leave from Edinburgh, Glasgow or Stirling. For Stirling Castle with the ticket included, the Old Town walk and the Edinburgh day trip are the options; the e-bike ride is the one with Wallace Monument entry. The Glasgow day to the Kelpies and Falkirk Wheel does not include the boat ride on the Wheel.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in British pounds (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Kelpies, Falkirk Wheel and Glasgow day tour
- Kelvingrove visit
- Glasgow panoramic tour
- Bottled water
Stops at the Kelpies, the Falkirk Wheel and Kelvingrove Art Gallery, plus a panoramic tour of Glasgow. The boat ride on the Wheel is not included.
Check availability →
Outlander day trip with Doune and Blackness castles
- Doune and Blackness entry
- Small minibus
- Driver-guide
A minibus day on a route that includes Culross. Culross Palace entry is not part of the included tickets.
Check availability →
Guided walk through Stirling Old Town and the castle
- Castle ticket
- English-speaking guide
A walk with an English-speaking guide through the Old Town and into the castle, with the castle ticket already included.
Check availability →
Loch Lomond, the Trossachs and Stirling Castle from Glasgow
- Air-conditioned coach
- Live commentary
- Digital written translations
Return transport from Glasgow with a driver-guide and live commentary. Stirling Castle entry and the Loch Lomond boat trip are optional extras.
Check availability →
E-bike tour in Stirling with Wallace Monument entry
- E-bike hire
- Wallace Monument entry
- Helmet and gloves
The route passes Old Stirling Bridge and Cambuskenneth Abbey. Stirling Castle is seen from outside only, with no castle entry.
Check availability →
Stirling Castle admission ticket
- Castle entry
- Short English introduction
Entry to the castle plus a short introduction in English, given by availability and in order of arrival.
Check availability →Tours and day trips around Alloa and Stirling
Castles, the Kelpies and more in central Scotland, with live prices and availability.
Plan your trip
Pick the pages that match your days.
Alloa Tower
The Erskine tower house in town, open Friday to Monday from 3 April to 31 October.
Castle Campbell and Dollar Glen
The castle opens from April to September. The glen walk is free.
Ochil Hills walks
Dumyat by the hill path: 7 km, 2 to 2.5 hours from Pendreich.
Stirling Castle
Adult entry is £18.50 online in 2026, with a guided tour included.
Wallace Monument
246 steps up a spiral stair. Adult entry is £12.20 in 2026.
Falkirk Wheel and Kelpies
A boat trip of about 1 hour and a 25-minute Kelpies tour.
Culross
Palace and garden at £14 for adults, and Outlander filming locations.
Stirling
Old Town, Holy Rude church, the Old Bridge and Dunblane Cathedral.
Scotland day tours
Day trips from Glasgow and Edinburgh to Stirling and the Kelpies.
Weather by season
Monthly highs, lows and rain, measured at Edinburgh Gogarbank.
Edinburgh Airport to Alloa
Bus to Stirling, then train. Glasgow Airport by Airport Express and train.
Where to stay
Alloa, Stirling, Dollar or Bridge of Allan: which base suits your plans.
The main sights compared
Adult prices and hours for 2026. Hours change by month, so check before you go.
| Place | When open | Adult price |
|---|---|---|
| Alloa Tower | 3 April to 31 October, Friday to Monday, 12:00–16:00 | £9.50 |
| Castle Campbell | 1 April to 30 September, 10:00–16:30 | £7.50 online, £8.50 on site |
| Dollar Glen | Generally all year | Free |
| Stirling Castle | Daily, 9:30–18:00 in summer, 9:30–17:00 in winter | £18.50 online, £20.50 on site |
| Wallace Monument | Hours vary by month | £12.20 |
| Falkirk Wheel boat trip | Daily from 9:45, departures vary | From £14.63 |
| Kelpies tour | Several departures a day | £9 |
| Culross Palace and Garden | Daily 10:00–16:00 until 31 October, closed 1 November to 31 March 2027 | £14 |
For most first-time visitors, Stirling Castle and the Wallace Monument make the main day out, and Alloa Tower fits a Friday to Monday between April and October. Walkers should read the Ochil Hills page before choosing a route.
Gartmorn Dam, a quiet walk by Alloa
Gartmorn Dam is a former reservoir built for the mining industry. Today it is a country park and nature reserve and a Site of Special Scientific Interest, and a winter resting place for waterfowl. The gates open daily from the morning, and vehicle closing times depend on the month, so check the notice at the gate. Parking by the former visitor centre and at the main paths is free.
Fishing is closed here, so do not plan an angling trip. The water is very cold and deep even in summer, with possible currents and submerged obstacles. Being a good swimmer does not make it safe, so stay out of the water.
A few things to know before you go
Seasons and changes that affect your plans.
Alloa Tower has fixed days
From 3 April to 31 October the tower opens Friday to Monday, 12:00–16:00, and is closed Tuesday to Thursday. It is closed from 1 November to 28 February 2027.
Alloa Tower →Castle Campbell has a winter break
The castle interior is closed from 1 October to 31 March. Dollar Glen stays open for walking, but the paths are steep and uneven.
Castle Campbell →Bannockburn is being rebuilt
The visitor centre closed in mid-September 2026 for rebuilding and is expected to reopen in mid-2028. The grounds are open, and the rotunda is partly restricted.
Stirling and area →Glasgow Airport bus costs £2
Since 7 September 2026 the Airport Express 500 costs £2 one way. From the city centre you continue by train to Alloa.
Getting there →Beyond Alloa
Other Scottish places with their own guides.
If your trip also includes the capital, Edinburgh Castle has its own guide with tickets and hours. For lochs, cruises and hill walks to the west, see Loch Lomond. This site stays with Alloa, Clackmannanshire and the places around Stirling.
More independent Scotland guides
Separate guides from the same team, each focused on one place in Scotland.
Alloa: frequently asked questions
How do I get from Edinburgh Airport to Alloa?
Take Citylink 909 or 978 (about 1 hour on average) or Ember E4 to Stirling, then a ScotRail train to Alloa, about 8 minutes on average. You can also take the tram to Edinburgh Park and a train towards Stirling or Dunblane. No train starts at the terminal. Allow time for the change. See getting there.
Is Alloa Tower open in winter?
No. From 3 April to 31 October it opens Friday to Monday, 12:00–16:00, with last entry at 15:00. From 1 November to 28 February 2027 it is closed. See the Alloa Tower page.
Can I visit Castle Campbell in winter?
The castle is closed from 1 October to 31 March. Dollar Glen below it is free and generally open all year, but strong wind is a reason to postpone. Details are on the Castle Campbell page.
How much does Stirling Castle cost?
Adult entry (ages 16 to 64) is £18.50 online or £20.50 on site in 2026. Over 65s pay £15 online or £16.50 on site, and children aged 7 to 15 pay £9 online or £10 on site. See Stirling Castle.
Can I swim at Gartmorn Dam?
It is not advised. The water is very cold and deep even in summer, with currents and submerged obstacles, and swimming skill does not guarantee safety. Fishing is closed as well.
Is alloa.org the official site?
No. This is an independent travel guide with no link to the council, a tourism body, the National Trust for Scotland, Historic Environment Scotland, any museum, tour company or hotel.