Editing Alloa

{{short description|Town in Clackmannanshire, Scotland}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Infobox UK place
| official_name                    = Alloa
| gaelic_name                      = Allmhagh,<ref>Mac an Tàilleir, Iain (2003) [http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/vli/language/gaelic/vl-trans.htm#places ''Placenames''] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101225005529/http://scottish.parliament.uk/vli/language/gaelic/vl-trans.htm |date=25 December 2010 }}. (pdf) Pàrlamaid na h-Alba. Retrieved 8 August 2009</ref> Alamhagh<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ainmean-aite.org/database.asp?intent=details&id=503|title=StackPath|website=Ainmean-aite.org|access-date=28 October 2021|archive-date=5 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211205054723/http://www.ainmean-aite.org/database.asp?intent=details&id=503|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| scots_name                       = Allowae<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scots-online.org/dictionary/read.asp?letter=A&CurPage=18|title=The Online Scots Dictionary|first=Andy|last=Eagle|access-date=21 May 2013|archive-date=8 July 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100708071231/http://www.scots-online.org/dictionary/read.asp?letter=A&CurPage=18|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>An alternative interpretation – Dr Jamieson, the author of the ''Scottish Dictionary'', states that the most probable etymology of the name was from Aull Waeg, signifying the way to the sea or the sea-way. Lothian's annual register for the County of Clackmannan 1877</ref>
| local_name                       =
| country                          = Scotland
| population                       = {{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Alloa}}
| population_ref                   = ({{Scottish settlement population citation|year}})<ref>{{Scottish settlement population citation}}</ref>
| area_total_sq_mi                 = 3.52
| os_grid_reference                = NS900920
| map_alt                          = Alloa is in the south of Clackmannanshire in the centre of the Scottish mainland.
| coordinates                      = {{coord|56.116|-3.793|display=inline,title}}
| post_town                        = ALLOA
| postcode_area                    = FK
| postcode_district                = FK10
| dial_code                        = 01259
| constituency_westminster         = [[Alloa and Grangemouth (UK Parliament constituency)|Alloa and Grangemouth]]
| civil_parish                     = 
| unitary_scotland                 = [[Clackmannanshire]]
| lieutenancy_scotland             = [[Clackmannanshire]]
| constituency_scottish_parliament = [[Clackmannanshire and Dunblane (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Clackmannanshire and Dunblane]]
| website                          = 
| static_image_name                = Alloa from Clackmannan Tower.jpg
| static_image_caption             = Alloa from [[Clackmannan Tower]] with Ben Ledi and [[Wallace Monument]] in the distance
| static_image_alt                 = A town landscape with hills in the background. 
}}

'''Alloa''' (Received Pronunciation {{IPAc-en|ˈ|æ|l|oʊ|ə}}; Scottish pronunciation /ˈaloʊa/; {{langx|gd|Alamhagh}}, possibly meaning "rock plain"<ref>{{Cite book|title=Place-names of Great Britain and Ireland|last=Field|first=John|date=1980|publisher=David & Charles|isbn=0389201545|location=Newton Abbot, Devon|oclc=6964610|page=23}}</ref>) is a town in [[Clackmannanshire]] in the [[Central Lowlands]] of [[Scotland]]. It is on the north bank of the Forth at the spot where some say it ceases to be the [[River Forth]] and becomes the [[Firth of Forth]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Chambers|first1=Robert|last2=Chambers|first2=William|title=The gazetteer of Scotland. [With plates and maps.]|date=1838|publisher=Blackie and Son|location=Glasgow|pages=26–28|url=https://archive.org/stream/gazetteerofscov11838cham#page/26/mode/2up|access-date=31 October 2017}}</ref> Alloa is south of the [[Ochil Hills]] on the western Fife peninsula,  {{convert|6|mi|km|0|abbr=off|spell=on}} east of [[Stirling]] and {{convert|13|mi|km|0}} west of [[Dunfermline]]; by water Alloa is {{convert|25|mi|km}} from [[Granton, Edinburgh|Granton]].<ref>{{cite book|title=The Alloa illustrated family almanac, district directory and general register for the county of Clackmannan for 1887|date=1887|publisher=MacGregor & Steedman|location=Alloa|pages=4–12|url=https://archive.org/stream/alloaillustrated1887ephe#page/n11/mode/2up|access-date=30 October 2017}}</ref>

The town, formerly a [[burgh of barony]], is the administrative centre of Clackmannanshire Council. Historically, the economy relied heavily on trade between [[Glasgow]] and mainland Europe through its port.<ref>{{cite news|title=Old port in a new storm. Row breaks out as harbour seeks revival|url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12701122.Old_port_in_a_new_storm__Row_breaks_out_as_harbour_seeks_revival/|access-date=31 October 2017|agency=The Herald|date=13 January 1994}}</ref> This became increasingly uncompetitive and the port stopped operating in 1970. The local economy is now centred on retail and leisure since the closure of major industries; only one brewer and one glassmaker survive today. Parochially, Alloa was linked with [[Tullibody]]. The towns are now distinct, albeit with Lornshill in the middle, and Alloa is about twice the size of its north-western neighbour. The population of Alloa was estimated to be approximately 20,730 residents in 2016.<ref name="Pop.">[http://www.clacksweb.org.uk/council/populationsettlement/ Population of settlements], ClacksWeb Retrieved 16 December 2018.</ref>

[[File:The Forth Valley near Alloa - geograph.org.uk - 723980.jpg|thumb|right|The Forth Valley near Alloa: [[Black Devon#Gartmorn Dam|Gartmorn Dam]], [[Alloa Inch]] and [[Tullibody Inch]] can be seen on the [[River Forth|Forth]]]]
[[File:Alloa From The Air - geograph.org.uk - 1440457.jpg|thumb|right|Alloa from the air]]
[[File:Target Dossier for Alloa, Clackmannan, Scotland - DPLA - b856df47579a937bbaf7935cc5a4ca51 (page 2).jpg|thumb|right|Port of Alloa on a target dossier of the German [[Luftwaffe]], 1939]]

== History ==
Alloa grew up under the protection of [[Alloa Tower]] which may have been built before 1300 AD.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Beveridge|first1=David|title=Between the Ochils and Forth: A Description, Topographical and Historical of the Country between Stirling Bridge and Aberdour|date=1888|publisher=W. Blackwood|location=Edinburgh and London|pages=307–311|url=https://archive.org/stream/betweenochilsan00bevegoog#page/n232/mode/2up|access-date=3 July 2017}}</ref> The name of the town has had different spelling at different periods. In the charter granted by [[Robert the Bruce|King Robert the Bruce]] in the year 1315, to Thomas de Erskyne, it is called Alway; in some subsequent ones, Aulway, Auleway; and more recently Alloway.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Brodie|first1=William|title=The new statistical account of Scotland|date=1845|publisher=W. Blackwood and Sons|location=Edinburgh and London|pages=1–65|edition=Vol 8|url=https://archive.org/stream/newstatisticalac08edin#page/458/mode/2up|access-date=9 June 2017|ref=Parish of Alloa}}</ref> Dr Jamieson stated that the most probable etymology of the name was from Aull Waeg – the way to the sea.<ref>{{cite book|title=Alloa and its environs. A descriptive and historical guide|date=1861|publisher=James Lothian|location=Alloa|page=5|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=87pYAAAAcAAJ|access-date=4 November 2017}}</ref>

===14th century===
Sir Robert [[Clan Erskine|Erskine]] was granted the lands of Alloa and its environs in 1368 for services to [[King David II]] and he and his descendants were good stewards, developing the estates and innovating.

===17th century===
One of the earliest maps of the area was made by surveyor and [[cartographer]] [[John Adair (surveyor)|John Adair]] in 1681.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Adair|first1=John|title=A map of Strath Devon and the district between the Ochils and the Forth|url=http://maps.nls.uk/rec/69|website=National Library of Scotland|access-date=6 July 2017}}</ref>
Alloa also has a history of [[Alloa witches|persecution of witches]].<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://link.springer.com/book/10.1057/9781137355942 |title=Scottish Witches and Witch-Hunters |year=2013 |pages=131, 180 |doi=10.1057/9781137355942 |isbn=978-1-349-47033-4 |language=en|editor-last1=Goodare |editor-first1=Julian }}</ref>

===18th century===
[[John Erskine, Earl of Mar (1675–1732)|John Erskine]], the 6th [[Earl of Mar]] oversaw many far-reaching developments including substantial harbour improvements, a customs house, a "New Town" area of housing,<ref name="MS12">{{cite journal |last1=Stewart |first1=Margaret |title=John Erskine, 6th and 11th Earl of Mar (1675–1732): Architecture, Landscape and Industry |journal= Architectural Heritage|date=November 2012 |volume=23 |issue=1 |pages=97–116 |doi=10.3366/arch.2012.0035 }}</ref>{{rp|111}} and commissioning the building of the [[Gartmorn Dam]], which was designed by [[George Sorocold]].<ref name="MS12"/>{{rp|101–107}} Erskine owned many of the coal mines, and [[Robert Bald]], a local mining engineer, was contracted to provide water power from the Gartmorn Dam to operate the mines and other industries.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Brodie|first1=William|title=The new statistical account of Scotland|date=1845|publisher=W. Blackwood and Sons|location=Edinburgh and London|pages=26–27|edition=Vol 8|url=https://archive.org/stream/newstatisticalac08edin#page/26/mode/2up|access-date=9 June 2017|ref=Parish of Alloa}}</ref> Good water supplies and the availability of barley from the carselands encouraged George Younger to set up a brewery in the 1760s and he was soon followed by others. Alloa became one of Scotland's premier brewing centres.<ref name="Hutton 2002 3"/>

The 6th Earl of Mar was forced to flee the country and forfeit his lands after disastrously backing the [[Jacobitism|Jacobite]] cause in 1715. However, his brother was allowed to purchase the forfeited lands and future generations continued the tradition of creative industry by launching a glass-works in 1750 and laying one of Scotland's earliest railways (a waggonway) from the [[Sauchie]] mines to down to the harbour in around 1766.<ref>{{cite book|last=Hutton|first=Guthrie|title=Old Alloa|year=2002|publisher=Stenlake Publishing|location=Catrine|isbn=9781840332230|pages=3|url=http://www.stenlake.co.uk/books/view_book.php?ref=273}}</ref>

Before 1775, the colliers were attached to the properties in which they were born and were virtual serfs or slaves, supported by the master.  After the [[Colliers and Salters (Scotland) Act 1775]] abolished the system, the colliers could move between collieries at will, and they were supported in their needs by the Alloa Colliers' Fund or Friendly Society which was founded in 1775.

Traces of the waggonway and the Gartmorn Dam can still be seen today, and although the dam is no longer used for energy production or water supply, it is well used for fishing and leisure purposes.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.clacksweb.org.uk/culture/gartmorndam/|title=Gartmorn Dam Country Park and Nature Reserve|author=((Council Countryside Ranger, Clackmannanshire))|website=www.clacksweb.org.uk|language=en|access-date=27 January 2017}}</ref> The Clackmannanshire Library was founded at Alloa in 1797 and it contained upwards of 1500 volumes. As the 18th century closed a [[Alloa#Malt distilling|whisky distillery]] was established at Carsebridge by John Bald.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Campbell|first1=Valerie|title=Walk in the Past: History of Carsebridge Distillery|url=http://www.alloaadvertiser.com/news/15669143.Walk_in_the_Past__History_of_Carsebridge_Distillery/|access-date=14 February 2018|agency=Alloa Advertiser|date=22 November 2017}}</ref>

In the 18th century the staple business of the port was coal with about 50,000 tons a year exported.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Sinclair|first1=John|last2=Frame|first2=James|last3=Erskine|first3=John Francis|title=The statistical account of Scotland. Drawn up from the communications of the ministers of the different parishes|date=1791|publisher=W. Creech|location=Edinburgh|page=637|url=https://archive.org/stream/statisticalacco05sincgoog#page/n639/mode/2up|access-date=20 January 2018}}</ref>

===19th century===
In 1813 the first steamboat started to operate out of Alloa harbour. Rival companies later united into the "Stirling, Alloa and Kincardine Steamboat Company". In 1822 water was brought into the town and in 1828 a gas works was built.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Barbieri|first1=M.|title=A Descriptive and Historical Gazetteer of the Counties of Fife, Kinross and Clackmannan|date=1857|publisher=Maclachlan & Stewart|location=Edinburgh|pages=74–75|url=https://archive.org/stream/adescriptiveand00barbgoog#page/n77/mode/2up|access-date=4 July 2017}}</ref> While building a road to Alloa Academy in 1828, an ancient burial site was found at Mars Hill, with several finds<ref name=Canmore>{{Canmore |num=47240 |desc=Alloa, Mars Hill|access-date=2 April 2009}}</ref> including two gold armlets.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Anderson|first1=Joseph|title=Scotland in pagan times|date=1883|publisher=D. Douglas|location=Edinburgh|pages=62–64|url=https://archive.org/stream/scotlandinpagant02andeuoft#page/62/mode/2up|access-date=31 October 2017}}</ref> [[Alloa Academy]] was built in 1824, being paid for by subscription.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Lewis|first1=Samuel|title=A topographical dictionary of Scotland, comprising the several counties, islands, cities, burgh and market towns, parishes, and principal villages, with historical and statistical descriptions: embellished with engravings of the seals and arms of the different burghs and universities|date=1851|publisher=S. Lewis and co.|location=London|pages=38–40|url=https://archive.org/stream/topographicaldic01lewi#page/40/mode/2up|access-date=6 July 2017}}</ref> The [[Alloa Swing Bridge]] was opened to the public on 1 October 1885.

The population was 5,434 in the 1841 census.<ref>{{cite book |title=The Cyclopaedia of Useful Knowledge, Vol I, A-Arc |date=1848 |publisher=Charles Knight |location=London |page=618 |edition=First}}</ref>

===20th century===
After the improvements were made to the harbour during the 18th century, Alloa thrived as a [[river port]] through which the products of [[Glasgow]] manufacture were exported to continental Europe.<ref name="Hutton 2002 3">{{cite book|last=Hutton|first=Guthrie|title=Old Alloa|year=2002|pages=3}}</ref> At that time, and until the 1950s, the main industry to the north and east of the town was coal mining.

==Industries==
===Wool===

Wool was also locally plentiful and in the early part of the 19th century, John Paton set up a small yarn-spinning business in the town, later establishing Kilncraigs Mill. Much of the Kilncraigs complex has been demolished but a four-storey Edwardian Baroque block of 1903–1904 survives, with an extension of 1936.  The buildings were converted to Council offices by LDN architects in 2003/2004.  Patons merged with J. & J. Baldwin of Halifax in 1924 to become Paton & Baldwins Ltd.

[[File:Alloa Glass works.jpg|thumb|left|240px|alt=A glassworks building with large towers on the banks of an area of water|[[Owens-Illinois]] glassworks in Alloa]]

===Weaving and glass making===

The town itself continued to be known for its [[weaving]] and [[glass]]making industries well into the 19th and early 20th centuries.

===Brewing===

Alloa was long associated with the [[brewing]] industry, with at least nine major breweries producing [[ale]]s at its height. However [[deindustrialization|industrial decline]] during the mid to late 20th century has led to the economy relying more on retail and leisure.  The first brewing firms in the town were Younger in 1762 and Meiklejohn in 1784.<ref>{{Cite journal| last=Archibald |first=Jannette| title =The Origins of Brewing in Alloa|journal =Nae Sma' Beer (Exhibition Catalogue)|year = 2003}}</ref>
Alloa ale was sent to London and George Younger had an extensive export trade to the [[West Indies]], [[Egypt]] and the [[Far East]]. Alloa was also home to Alloa Brewery Co, developing Graham's Golden Lager in 1927 which was renamed [[Skol]] in the 1950s.<ref>{{cite book|last=Hornsey|first=Ian|title=A history of beer and brewing|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QqnvNsgas20C&q=Skol%20Graham's&pg=PA615|year=2003|publisher=Royal Society of Chemistry|isbn=0-85404-630-5|page=615}}</ref> Closures and mergers during the mid-20th century reduced the number of breweries to two and by 1999 after the closure of MacLay's Thistle Brewery, only one remained, the Forth Brewery<ref>{{cite web|access-date=17 May 2008|publisher=[[University of Glasgow]]|title=Scottish Brewing Archives: FAQ Alloa Breweries|url=http://www.archives.gla.ac.uk/sba/alloa.html|url-status = dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061014211947/http://www.archives.gla.ac.uk/sba/alloa.html|archive-date=14 October 2006}}</ref> which became Williams Bros. in 2003.<ref>{{cite web| publisher=Directory of UK Real Ales|title=Forth Brewery Company|url = http://www.quaffale.org.uk/php/brewery/278}}</ref>

===Malt distilling===

In addition to the brewing of beer, Alloa is the site of the former Carsebridge Distillery. According to [[Alfred Barnard]], the [[Victorian era|Victorian]] historian of British distilling and brewing, the distillery was founded as a [[malt]] distillery by John Bald in 1799. In the 1840s it was converted into a grain distillery and by the time of Barnard's visit in the mid 1880s the distillery covered 10 acres, employed 150 people, and had an annual output of 1.4 to 1.7 million gallons of pure grain whisky.<ref>Bernard, Alfred (1887) [http://www.scotsites.co.uk/ebooks/whiskydistilleries109.htm ''Whisky Distilleries of the United Kingdom'' – Carsebridge] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120623021102/http://www.scotsites.co.uk/ebooks/whiskydistilleries109.htm |date=23 June 2012 }}</ref> The distillery's owner John Bald and Co was one of five companies that combined to form the [[Distillers Company Limited]] in 1877. In 1902, a fire devastated the distillery, after World War I it was refitted and started producing yeast. This yeast production lasted until 1938. In 1956 the distillery was modernised, it expanded in 1966 and in the 1970s a new still house, cooperage and animal feedstuffs plant added. By 1980 the Carsebridge Distillery was the largest grain distillery in Scotland, however it closed in 1983 and was demolished in 1992.<ref>The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, [http://www.smws.co.uk/our-unique-whisky/distillery-profile/Rest_of_the_World/Carsebridge_Grain_Distillery.html Carsebridge Grain Distillery] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090826031445/http://www.smws.co.uk/our-unique-whisky/distillery-profile/Rest_of_the_World/Carsebridge_Grain_Distillery.html |date=26 August 2009 }} smws.co.uk/</ref> One of the distillery's [[Column still|Coffey stills]] is now in use at the [[Cameronbridge]] distillery.<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20130408092443/http://www.maltmadness.com/whisky/grain-whiskey.html ''Active Grain Whisky Distilleries – Cameronbridge'']}} maltmadness.com</ref>

===Barrel cooperage===

After whisky ceased to be produced at Carsebridge, the cooperage remained as one of two owned by [[Diageo]] in Scotland. In 2008, 30 people worked there assembling or repairing up to 400 bourbon casks, imported from the US, each day.<ref>Wood, Zoe (30 March 2008) [https://www.theguardian.com/business/2008/mar/30/fooddrinks ''Scotland rolls out the barrels again''], The Guardian</ref> However, in 2009 the company announced that it intended to close the Carsebridge Cooperage and move the work to nearby [[Cambus, Clackmannanshire|Cambus]].<ref>(18 September 2009) [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/tayside_and_central/8262454.stm ''Diageo cooperage plan on track''], news.bbc.co.uk</ref> The new Cambus cooperage was opened in December 2011 by the [[Earl of Wessex]].<ref>Menzies, Johnathon (2 December 2011)  [http://www.stirlingobserver.co.uk/stirling-news/local-news-stirling/news-stirling/2011/12/02/earl-of-wessex-opens-new-cambus-cooperage-51226-29879562 ''Earl of Wessex opens new Cambus cooperage''] stirlingobserver.co.uk</ref>

===Military history===

Alloa is linked to the historic Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders housed at [[Stirling Castle]]. Many of the soldiers in the [[Second World War]] fought under Montgomery at the [[Second Battle of El Alamein|Battle of El Alamein]] and Wadi Akrit where their commanding officer Lorne Campbell won a V.C. They were part of the 7th Argylls under the [[51st Highland Division]].

===Police===

As of 2014, the temporary national headquarters of [[Police Scotland]] is located in Alloa.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scotland.police.uk/contact-us/|title=How Can I – Police Scotland|first=Scottish Police Services|last=Authority}}</ref>

== Landmarks ==
[[File:AlloaTower.jpg|thumb|right|alt=A tall stone building from the 15th century with trees bordering to the sides|[[Alloa Tower]]]]
Alloa's most famous landmark is the 15th century [[Alloa Tower]] ([[National Trust for Scotland]]), the surviving part of the ancestral medieval residence of the Erskine family, the [[Earl of Mar|Earls of Mar]].
Despite extensive internal and external alterations, the Tower retains its original medieval wooden roof and battlements, as well as some internal features. It is one of the largest and earliest of Scottish [[tower houses]].

The town formerly contained a large number of 17th and 18th century buildings, but many were cleared with the expansion of milling operations and later with [[Slum clearance in the United Kingdom|slum clearance]] in the 20th century.<ref name="tbaaa">{{cite web|publisher=Stirling Council |title =Thistle Brewery Alloa: Archaeological Appraisal | url =http://www.ukplanning.com/clackmannanshire/doc/Other-1124706.pdf?extension=.pdf&id=1124706&location=Volume1&contentType=application/pdf&pageCount=4 | date = 17 May 2001| access-date = 17 September 2009}}</ref> However, Alloa does retain some historic architecture in the form of Alloa Tower, [[Tobias Bauchop]]'s House at 25 Kirkgate (1695),<ref name="tbaaa"/> as well as later buildings such as Inglewood House ({{circa|1900}}), [[Gean House]] (1912) and Greenfield House (1892).<ref>{{cite web|title=Large scale Scottish town plans, 1861–1862|url=http://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=15&lat=56.1148&lon=-3.7956&layers=51&b=1|website=National Library of Scotland|publisher=Ordnance Survey|access-date=9 June 2017}}</ref>

Carsebridge House, known locally as the Doll's House, was a [[listed building#Scotland|B-listed]] two-storey house built around 1799<ref>{{Historic Environment Scotland|num=LB21022 |desc=Carsebridge House |access-date=10 October 2024}}</ref> as part of the plan to establish the Carsebridge Distillery. It survived the demolition of the distillery buildings in the 1990s, but was badly damaged by fire in August 2024. It was illegally demolished in September 2024 without listed-building consent.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Williams |first1=Craig |title=Fury as historic building demolished without consent |work=The Herald |date=8 October 2024 |location=Glasgow |page=3}}</ref>

[[Alloa Town Hall]] and Library was designed by the architect [[Alfred Waterhouse]] and built in 1886-9 at a cost of £18,008.<ref>{{cite web| publisher = Dictionary of Scottish Architects| title = DSA Building/Design Report| url = http://www.scottisharchitects.org.uk/building_full.php?id=224733| year = 2006| access-date = 6 September 2018}}</ref>
[[File:Alloa Town Hall LB20976.jpg|thumb|left|[[Alloa Town Hall]]]]

The Speirs Centre was built as Alloa's swimming pool in 1895 and was designed by Sir John Burnet of Glasgow. The Sheriff Court is by Brown and Wardrop of 1862–5.

Alloa War Memorial (designed 1920 erected 1925) is by [[Sir Robert Lorimer]] with sculpture by [[Pilkington Jackson]]. The monument to the South African War is also by Lorimer (1904).<ref>Dictionary of Scottish Architects: Robert Lorimer</ref>

== Transport ==
After the closure of the Stirling-Alloa-[[Dunfermline]] line in 1968 and the [[Devon Valley Railway]] in 1973, the town had no passenger railway services for 40 years until 2008. The [[Stirling-Alloa-Kincardine rail link]] project<ref>{{cite web| access-date= 17 May 2008| publisher= Transport Scotland| title= SAK Railway Project| url= http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/projects/headline-projects/SAK-railway-project| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080501234953/http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/projects/headline-projects/sak-railway-project| archive-date= 1 May 2008|url-status = dead| df= dmy-all}}</ref> was completed in May 2008.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=BBC|title =First train in 40 years arrives| url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/tayside_and_central/7326895.stm | date = 2 April 2008| access-date = 2 April 2008 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080406073114/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/tayside_and_central/7326895.stm| archive-date= 6 April 2008 |url-status = live}}</ref> The laying of new track had commenced in September 2006 after much preparatory work, including new drainage works and the grouting of a large number of shallow [[Mining|mine]] workings.  The project also involved the construction of a new bypass road, and a bridge which replaced a level crossing in the town. [[Alloa railway station]] reopened in May 2008, a short distance east of its former site, just beyond the location of the former junction to the [[Devon Valley Railway|Devon Valley line]] that served Tillicoultry and Dollar, and also carried through trains to Kinross and Perth.

[[File:Alloa station and train.JPG|thumb|right|alt=A railway platform with a train stopped at the station. A few passengers are scattered along the platform|[[Alloa railway station|Alloa station]] on the day of reopening in May 2008, 40 years after it closed]]

[[ScotRail]] now operates a half-hourly service from [[Alloa railway station]] to [[Glasgow Queen Street railway station|Glasgow Queen Street]] via [[Stirling railway station (Scotland)|Stirling]], [[Larbert railway station|Larbert]] and [[Croy railway station|Croy]] between 0641 and 2315 Monday to Saturday and between 1041 and 2141 on Sundays. Passengers can travel to [[Inverness railway station|Inverness]], [[Edinburgh Waverley railway station|Edinburgh Waverley]] and [[Aberdeen railway station|Aberdeen]] with a change at Stirling, however for journeys to or from Edinburgh passengers with heavy luggage may find it more convenient to change at Larbert, where Edinburgh and Glasgow services use the same platform.

The new railway opened for traincrew route learning in early April 2008, followed by the opening to the public on Monday 19 May 2008. This had been preceded by an official opening on 15 May 2008, where ''[[LNER Gresley K4 61994 The Great Marquess]]'' hauled four specials to Stirling. The return workings were hauled by [[British Rail Class 55|Deltic]] 55022 ''[[Royal Scots Grey]]''. Transport Minister [[Stewart Stevenson]] officially reopened the line.

== Education ==
Besides the two [[high school]]s of [[Lornshill Academy]] and [[Alloa Academy]], the town also has four [[primary school]]s:  Sunnyside, Redwell, Park, and St Mungos. In addition to these, the New Struan School is an independently run day and residential school catering for children of both primary and high school ages with [[autistic spectrum disorders]]. There is also a [[OneSchool Global UK]] that is affiliated to the [[Plymouth Brethren Christian Church]].

== Religious sites ==
Alloa is currently served by two churches in the [[Church of Scotland]], namely Alloa Ludgate Church (formed by the union of Alloa North Parish Church and Alloa West Parish Church in 2009 in the building of the former West Church) and [[St. Mungo's Parish Church]]. In 1978 the Very Rev Dr Peter Brodie (then minister at St Mungo's) was elected [[Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland]]. Four other former St. Mungo's ministers have held this position. Its current minister, the Rev. Sang Y Cha, is the first Korean to be ordained to [[The Church of Scotland]]. Alloa is part of the Church of Scotland's Presbytery of Stirling.

The [[United Free Church of Scotland]] has a presence in Alloa through the congregation at Moncrieff United Free Church in Drysdale Street. The congregation is served by the Rev. Jason Lingiah and is part of the Presbytery of East.

On Greenside Street, in the old Greenside mission hall (a mission of Moncrieff United Free Church), is [http://www.alloaelim.org.uk Alloa Elim Pentecostal Church].

There are churches of other denominations in the town, including a Baptist church, and St John's Episcopal Church. There are also congregations of [[Latter-day Saints]] and [[Jehovah's Witnesses]] in Alloa.

The Catholic church, also named St Mungo's, is located in Mar Street.  The church is part of the [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Dunkeld]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Diocese of Dunkeld|url=https://www.dunkelddiocese.co.uk/st-mungos-alloa|access-date=2 January 2019}}</ref>

There is a [[Musalla]] on Whins Road in Alloa. Muslims who are unable to attend a mosque can use this space as a place of prayer, worship and education. In 2003 it became open to the public.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.musalla.org/centres/Alloa.htm |title=Alloa local mosque and Islamic centre |access-date=28 November 2016 |archive-date=27 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120627195727/http://www.musalla.org/centres/Alloa.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>

== Sport ==
Alloa is home to one professional football club: [[Alloa Athletic F.C.|Alloa Athletic Football Club]]. The club was formed in 1880 under the name of Alloa but changed to its present-day name of Alloa Athletic in 1881. The team currently play in the [[Scottish Championship]], formerly the [[Scottish Football League First Division]], after being promoted as winners of a play-off with [[Dunfermline Athletic F.C.|Dunfermline Athletic]], the season after being crowned champions of the [[Scottish Football League Third Division]] at the end of the [[2011–12 Scottish Second Division|2011–12 season]]. Their home games are played at [[Recreation Park, Alloa|Recreation Park]] in Alloa.

== Media ==
Alloa's oldest newspaper, the ''Alloa Advertiser'', was founded in 1841 as a monthly but in 1855 it became a weekly. Similarly, in 1845, the monthly Clackmannanshire Advertiser became the Alloa Journal.<ref>{{cite book|title=Alloa and its environs. A descriptive and historical guide|date=1861|publisher=James Lothian|location=Alloa|page=13|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=87pYAAAAcAAJ}}</ref> More recently the Wee County News was launched in 1995<ref>{{cite news|title=MEDIA Wee County newcomer makes the local headlines|url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12027135.MEDIA_Wee_County_newcomer_makes_the_local_headlines/|access-date=4 November 2017|agency=Sunday Herald|date=12 September 1996}}</ref> but went into liquidation in 2011.<ref>{{cite news|title=Wee County News Publisher Plunged into Liquidation|url=http://www.allmediascotland.com/press/19472/wee-county-news-publisher-plunged-into-liquidation/|access-date=4 November 2017|agency=allmediascotland|date=24 June 2011}}</ref> Some footage of a woollen mill and glassworks exists on film.<ref>{{cite web|title=River Forth|url=http://movingimage.nls.uk/film/1350?search_term=alloa&search_join_type=AND&search_fuzzy=yes|website=Moving Image Archive|publisher=Templar Film Studios|access-date=4 April 2017}}</ref> River Forth (1956) B&W silent 15 mins.

== Notable people from Alloa ==
*[[David Allan (painter)|David Allan]], 18th century painter and illustrator 
*[[Robert Bald]], mining engineer
*[[Thomas Bowie (cricketer)|Thomas Bowie]], cricketer
*[[George Brown (Canadian politician)|George Brown]], [[Canadians|Canadian]] [[politician]] and founder of ''[[The Globe and Mail]]'' newspaper
*[[John Crawford Buchan]], recipient of the [[Victoria Cross]]
*[[John Ferguson (chemist)]]
*[[Robert Fyfe]], actor
*[[James Sligo Jameson]], explorer
*[[Archibald MacLaren]], gymnast and educator 
*[[Andrew Norman Meldrum]], scientist
*[[John Melvin (Scottish architect)]]
*Lord [[Charles Forte]], hotelier and caterer
*[[Duncan Scott (swimmer)]], grew up in Alloa
*[[Dougie Brown|Douglas Robert Brown]] cricketer, schooled and spent his youth in Alloa
*[[Jameson Irish Whiskey|John Jameson]], distiller, founder of Jameson Irish Whiskey and great grandfather of [[Guglielmo Marconi]]
*[[James Smith (Glasgow architect)|James Smith]] architect in west Scotland
*[[David Wilson, Baron Wilson of Tillyorn]], British Colonial administrator, 26th Governor of Hong Kong and retired politician

== See also ==
*[[List of places in Clackmannanshire]]
*[[Alloa witches]]
*[[Margaret Duchill]]

==References and sources==
;References
{{reflist|30em}}
;Sources
* "Alloa and its Environs: A descriptive and Historical Sketch", Alloa Advertiser, 1861

[[File:Plean, Cowie and the River Forth from the air (geograph 5222073).jpg|thumb|center|upright=4|Alloa from the air above Stirlingshire]]

== External links ==
{{commons category|Alloa}}
* [http://www.alloa.org.uk Alloa Community Web Site] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121074753/http://www.alloa.org.uk/ |date=21 January 2021 }}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20140524003841/http://www.clacksweb.org.uk/culture/libraryservice/  Alloa Library]
* [http://www.clacksweb.org.uk/visiting/alloatower/ Alloa Tower]
* [http://www.clacksweb.org.uk/culture/dailybread/ Lys Hansen's ''Daily Bread'' exhibition] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070301000954/http://www.clacksweb.org.uk/culture/dailybread/ |date=1 March 2007 }}
* [http://www.alloaludgatechurch.org.uk Alloa Ludgate Church]
* A collection of [http://maps.nls.uk/towns/index.html#alloa historic maps of Alloa] from the 1580s onward at [[National Library of Scotland]]
* [http://digital.nls.uk/slezer/engraving.cfm?sl=8 Engraving of Alloa in 1693] by [[John Slezer]] at National Library of Scotland
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20050208063355/http://www.clacksnet.org.uk/ ClacksNet – Clackmannanshire's Community Network]
* [http://www.gla.ac.uk/news/archive/2005/november/headline_29198_en.html Article about Brewing in Alloa]

{{Clackmannanshire Towns & Villages}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Alloa| ]]
[[Category:County towns in Scotland]]
[[Category:Towns in Clackmannanshire]]
[[Category:Burghs]]
[[Category:Parishes in Clackmannanshire]]