Historic Clackmannan

On this sunny day (though with biting wind) we visited Clackmannan. Its name is thought to derive from the Clack, after 'clog' or stone, and Mannan from the name Manau, a Celtic sea-god.

From left to right:

The Mercat (or market) cross predates the Tollbooth, it was donated in the C17 by Sir Henry Bruce, (a descendant of King Robert the Bruce), and who lived in the nearby tower house. The shaft is earlier and the first to be supported by a steel cage to prevent collapse. The ball finial came from the gatepost of the Bruce mansion house which was demolished by 1857, restored for the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria in 1897. The steps are C20 replacements.

Only the C17 belfry tower remains of the Tollbooth, which was was built in 1592 and originally comprised a prison, court room and jailer's house. By 1792, it had become a 'heap of ruins' despite being still in use but demolished in 1822.

The stone, now standing on a whinstone plinth which was dragged from the quarry at Abbey Craig, was moved to this position in 1833 from Lookabootye Brae, the origin of which is said to derive from Robert Bruce, who, having mounted his horse, realised that he had left his gloves on the stone, called his men to 'lookabootye' in search of them.

While absorbed in examining these features we were fortunate to meet the Chairman of the Clackmannan Society. At present the Society does not have a website but he offered to send us details of newspaper articles that have featured the historic town.

We continued to the tower (which demands a blip in its own right) a fascinating evolution from tower house of 1365 to mansion, now in the care of Historic Scotland.

I'm sorry to be so far behind with comments, I'll try to catch up soon; Mr Flum has been occupying the computer, having trouble co-ordinating it with his new phone.