Scotland's 'most boring town' Alloa was once the 'beating heart of the Central Belt'

Scotland's 'most boring town' Alloa was once the 'beating heart of the Central Belt' Alloa, in Clackmannanshire, prospered during the Industrial Revolution and enjoyed a golden age from the late 18th century to the early 20th century. Image:Alloa, in Clackmannanshire, prospered during the Industrial Revolution Image:A general view of Alloa in 1952, including the glassworks. Pic: Britain From Above/Historic Environment Scotland Image:Susan Yule, archives and records management officer at Clackmannanshire Archives Image:A general view of Alloa in 1928, including the Town Hall. Pic: Britain From Above/Historic Environment Scotland Image:One of Alloa's many breweries. Pic: Clackmannanshire Archives Image:The brewery site where Skol was produced is now an Asda Image:Alloa boasts a rich beer-brewing heritage. Pic: Clackmannanshire Archives Image:Aerial view of Kilncraigs Mills (Patons and Baldwins). Pic: Clackmannanshire Archives Image:Alloa's High Street. Pic: Clackmannanshire Archives Image:Alloa's High Street now Image:Alloa’s Drysdale Street. Pic: Clackmannanshire Archives via Alloa And The Hillfoot Villages Through Time by Walter Burt Image:Alloa’s Drysdale Street now Image:Kilncraigs Mills (Patons and Baldwins) in 1928. Pic: Britain From Above/Historic Environment Scotland Image:The former Patons and Baldwins complex now houses a Tesco store and Clackmannanshire Council headquarters Image:Clackmannanshire Council headquarters Image:Alloa Tower, which dates back to the 14th century, still stands strong Image:Alloa Leisure Bowl during construction ahead of its eventual opening in 1987. Pic: Clackmannanshire Archives Image:Water fun at Alloa Leisure Bowl. Pic: Clackmannanshire Archives Image:Alloa Leisure Bowl in 2015 Image:Forth Valley College's Alloa campus Image:Alloa's Mill Street. Pic: Clackmannanshire Archives Image:Alloa's Mill Street now Image:Alloa Athletic's football ground in 1928. Pic: Britain From Above/Historic Environment Scotland Saturday 27 December 2025 01:03, UK A Scottish town once branded one of the nation's "most depressing" and "most boring" places to live was in the past the "beating heart of the Central Belt". Alloa, in Clackmannanshire, prospered during the Industrial Revolution and enjoyed a golden age from the late 18th century to the early 20th century. Susan Yule, archives and records management officer at Clackmannanshire Archives, told Sky News the Wee County town boasted eight breweries at one point and was "second only to Edinburgh as a centre of brewing". It also enjoyed a rich past in glassmaking, coal mining and export, textile production and shipbuilding. Ms Yule believes Alloa was at one point the "beating heart of the Central Belt". She added: "As a centre of trade and industry, I believe it played a bigger role than Stirling." Clackmannanshire, with views of the mighty Ochil Hills, has been described as "Scotland in miniature". Alongside its diverse landscapes and history, the local authority area often reflects the opinion of Scotland as a whole. Indeed, late former first minister Alex Salmond once told Sky News that he began to write his concession speech during the Scottish independence referendum in 2014 after Clackmannanshire was the first to declare, and it was a resounding "no". For those who have never visited the town, Ms Yule highlighted a number of historical factors which helped the region to prosper. She said: "Alloa had an important and busy...

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