Transcript - More than you imagine
Below is a transcript of "More than you imagine", a promotional film about Clackmannanshire produced in 2006. If you have access to Macromedia Flash you can view the film on this site.
More than you imagine
They call it The Wee County. At 60 square miles Clackmannanshire remains Scotland's smallest county. But just think of it as Scotland, in miniature. Here you'll find rolling hills and glens, outdoor activities in abundance, a rich historical and cultural heritage, retail therapy to die for, and a welcome that will always make you want to come back. And all this within easy reach of the country's major cities. Clackmannanshire may be small, but it offers more than you can imagine.
Cradled in the centre of Scotland, Clackmannanshire has always been strategically important. Its towers and castles formed vital defences for the noble families who played such a key role in our history. In the town of Clackmannan itself the tower was the home of the family of Robert the Bruce, one of the greatest Scots heroes. Legend has it that a glove lost by Bruce on a hunt was found by a standing stone. The "Glove Stone", or "Clack Mannan", now stands in the town centre, and Bruce's order to his men to "Look Aboot Ye" has been adopted as the area's heraldic motto.
The Alloa Tower is what remains of the ancestral home of the Earls of Mar, another important historic dynasty. The refurbished tower contains a superb vaulted timber ceiling.
Now sadly in ruins, the tower at Sauchie forms the third of these defences, built so that if one tower came under attack they could let the others know.
In Dollar the spectacular Castle Campbell stands on a high mound, with the ground falling away sharply on three sides. It's everyone's image of a fairytale castle, though its role was as the eastern stronghold of the powerful Campbell clan of Argyll. Overlooked by Gloom Hill, and at the confluence of two small waterways, the Burn of Care and the Burn of Sorrow, Castle Campbell was nicknamed "Castle Gloom", though a visit today will definitely lift your spirits.
In the far west of the county the Clan McAllister held Menstrie Castle. This was the home of Sir William Alexander, a poet and statesman, who went on to become one of the founders of the colony of Nova Scotia in Canada.
Clackmannanshire is an ideal place for those who enjoy getting out in the fresh air, whether it's careering down a mountain bike track, or a simple stroll for a decent lunch and a pint of excellent local ale.
The area has one of the best path networks for walkers and cyclists anywhere in the country, with well-signposted tracks taking in most of the main towns and villages.
Gartmorn Dam Country Park near Sauchie contains Scotland's oldest man-made reservoir, still feeding the public water supply. It's now nearly 300 years old. Set within 370 acres of nature reserve, this is a haven for wildlife.
There's an informative visitor centre here, and the gardens and picnic areas offer plenty of scope for peace and quiet, or a leisurely outdoor lunch. The reservoir is teeming with brown and rainbow trout, and understandably it's hugely popular with fishermen. Clackmannanshire offers anglers a number of fantastic fishing opportunities on rivers and reservoirs, including the chance to catch the king of fish, the salmon, on the River Devon.
The county is ringed to the north by the verdant Ochil Hills, surely one of Scotland's most remarkable ranges. The colours on these hillsides are ever-changing through the seasons, even within a single day, thanks to the unique quality of the light here, and the capricious Scottish weather. As well as forming a natural backdrop for the area, the Ochils can provide you with everything you need for a trek, cycle or walk on the wild side.
Stretching twelve miles from Blair Logie to the Yetts 'O Muckhart, the peaks of the Ochils are over 2000 feet high, rising dramatically from the plains of the River Forth. The hills and glens contain an abundance of wild plants and rare birds, while burns and spectacular waterfalls cascade down the hillsides. The high summits afford panoramic views, but please take care - never tackle more than you're experienced and equipped for. Changing weather and difficult terrain mean the more difficult climbs are no place for the novice. But lower down there are some wonderful walks in the glens of Alva, Dollar and Tillicoultry. You'll always get local advice, and there are plenty of detailed maps to keep you on the right track.
Golfers will have no trouble teeing off here. Clackmannanshire has numerous fine courses. Some highly challenging, for even the most accomplished players. Others which afford some of the best views you'll ever see from a fairway. And a round of golf here is among the best value you'll find anywhere.
The county's great for riders too. In particular the Devon Equestrian Centre at Fishcross offers training and competition facilities of a national standard, and there are weekly show jumping events here.
Clackmannanshire is justly proud of its industrial heritage. In the age of steam it was a boilerhouse for the whole of Scotland. Nestling in the shadow of the Ochils, the so-called Hillfoots Towns of Alva, Menstrie and Tillicoultry, harnessed the energy of natural streams to power dozens of woollen mills.
Later, with the development of coal mining, industrialisation really took off. At one stage there were more than 300 mine shafts in the Wee County, and more than one third of Scotland's coal exports to the rest of Britain and abroad were shipped from Alloa. The town was also a major ship-building centre. Coal and steam took over in the mills, and allowed power-hungry businesses in brewing, distilling and glass-making to flourish. Many of these industries continue to this day, some in much more hi-tech guise, others sticking more closely to their craft roots.
The glass cone at Alloa will take you back to glass-making nearly 200 years ago, right next to the largest bottle manufacturing plant in Britain.
Sauchie's Beam Engine House is 150 years old. It was a massive steam pump, used to keep the mines free of water.
The prosperity brought by the industrial revolution was translated into the Victorian elegance of charming towns like Alloa, and neo-classical buildings like Dollar Academy.
Time never stands still though, and while history may have claimed some of our older industries, today Clackmannanshire boasts one of the best shopping experiences in the land. The Sterling Furniture Centre at Tillicoultry was one of the county's first out-of-town retail developments, and its expansion has been phenomenal. Together with the Sterling Mills Designer Outlet Village, it promises more than just a few hours in the shops. This is shopping as a leisure pursuit, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors from the length and breadth of Scotland.
So go on, discover Clackmannanshire. You'll find that there is so much to experience and enjoy here in the Wee County. More than you imagine.
Contact information
For further information about this page please contact:
Communications & Marketing Manager, Chief Executive's Services
Greenfield House, Tullibody Road, Alloa, FK10 2AD
Tel: 01259 452023 / 450000 Fax: 01259 452117
Email: press@clacks.gov.uk
Or use the on-line contact form.