What's on in Clackmannanshire

Clackmannanshire, sometimes known as ‘Clacks’ is a historic and former county in Scotland and now a local government council area as well as a lieutenancy area, which borders Stirling and Fife, Perth and Kinross. Because it was historically Scotland’s smallest county, it is known affectionately by locals and visitors alike as ‘The Wee County.’

Clackmannanshire was a county between 1889 and 1975 but before that it was known to have been named after an ancient stone, (which now rests in the center of town), that was associated with Manau, a pre – Christian deity. It also adopted the town motto to ‘Look Aboot Ye’ after Robert the Bruce lost his glove whilst visiting the region and was told to, you’ve guessed it, ‘Look Aboot Ye’. In recognition of this famous event the county’s coat of arms now features a pair of gloves.

During the industrial era the area became known for its weaving mills which were powered from the Hillfoots burns and for ship-building, mining, brewing and glass manufacturing. These days however, because of its central location and transport links to some of Scotland’s most stunning tourist locations it attracts the tourism and service industries. It’s own landscape features the majestic Ochil Hills in the north which are ideal for hiking and mountain biking and an extensive lowland plain next to the long banks of the River Forth. There is a wonderful wildlife sanctuary at Gartmorn Dam Country Park and Nature Reserve and the whole region is littered with tower houses and medieval castles and hundreds of other historical sites. In addition, there are a multitude of top class golf courses and hundreds of accredited hotels, cottages, B&B’s and campsites.


Situated only an hour from both Edinburgh and Glasgow and with Dunfermline, Falkirk and Stirling close by, Clackmannanshire is blessed with one of Scotland’s finest, and smallest, locations.