Clackmannan Tower

stands on the summit of King's Seat Hill in open fields uphill of the town of Clackmannan. A magnificent tower house built of golden stone and standing five storeys high, it was built by King David II in the 1300s before being sold to his cousin Robert Bruce in 1359. It remained in the ownership of the Bruce family until 1796.

The first tower was built c1365 as a two-storey house and raised to tower height with the taller square south tower being constructed in the 15th century. A turnpike stair was inserted in the entrance moved from first floor to ground level.

A mansion with crowstep gables and turrets was built to the south-west of the tower in the late 16th century. In the 17th century a new walled entrance court, protected by a moat, and a new doorway into the tower were built.

The Bruce family went bankrupt in 1708 but the tower remained in the family's possession until 1791 when the last member of the family died the tower and house were abandoned.

Very cold blustery day, lots of snow flurries. We seem to be escaping the worse of the weather so far.