Clackmannanshire

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Clackmannanshire
Clackmannanshire
Siorrachd Chlach Mhannainn
Logo Coat of arms
Logo Coat of arms
Location
Clackmannanshire in Scotland.svg
Geography
Area Ranked 30th
- Total 159 km2 (61 sq mi)
Admin HQ Alloa (current)
Clackmannan (historic)
ISO 3166-2 GB-CLK
ONS code 00QF
Demographics
Population Ranked 29th
- Total (2010 est.) 50,600
- Density 319/km2
Politics
Clackmannanshire Council
http://www.clacks.gov.uk/
Control
TBA (council NOC)
MPs
MSPs

Clackmannanshire (About this sound listen (help·info); Scots: Clackmannanshire and from the Scottish Gaelic: Siorrachd Chlach Mhannainn meaning 'Stone of Manau'), is a local government council area in Scotland, and a lieutenancy area, bordering Fife, Perth and Kinross and Stirling.

As Scotland's smallest historic county, it is often nicknamed 'The Wee County'. When written, Clackmannanshire is often abbreviated to Clacks..

Contents

Administrative history [edit]

The County of Clackmannan is one of Scotland's 33 historic local government counties, bordering on Perthshire, Stirlingshire and Fife. It was formed out of part of the north-western area of a territory anciently known as Ross.[citation needed]

The county town was originally Clackmannan, but by 1822 neighbouring Alloa had outgrown Clackmannan and replaced it as the county town.

Some rationalisation of the county boundaries was undertaken in 1889-1890, and in 1971 the Muckhart and Glendevon areas, formerly in the county of Perth, were transferred to Clackmannanshire.

In 1975, under the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, the 33 historic Counties we abolished, and a new hierarchy of nine Regions and fifty-nine Districts was created. Clackmannanshire became part of the Central Region, under the name Clackmannan District, together with Stirling District and Falkirk District.

The historic name was restored in 1996, under the Local Government etc (Scotland) Act 1994. The area was to have the name, Clackmannan, but following strong local pressure this was changed to Clackmannanshire by the council using its own powers.

In terms of population, it is the smallest council area in mainland Scotland, with a population of 48,630 (in 2005), around half of whom live in the main town and administrative centre, Alloa.

The motto of Clackmannanshire is "Look Aboot Ye" (Circumspice in Latin). In 2007 a re-branding exercise led to the area adopting the slogan "More Than You Imagine". [1] [2]

Council political composition [edit]

Party Councillors
Scottish National Party 8
Labour 8
Conservative 1
Independent 1

Geography [edit]

The Ochil Hills lie in the Strathdevon or northern part of the area. Strathdevon mostly comprises a lowland plain a few hundred meters either side of the River Devon, and this goes on to contribute to the formation the valley of the River Forth and joins the Forth near Cambus. There is also the Black Devon river that flows past the town of Clackmannan to join the River Forth near Alloa. This confluence once had a small pier for portage to Dunmore pier and anchorage of smaller sailing ships, where others of more tonnage could be accepted at Dunmore pier on the opposite banks of the Forth.

Economy [edit]

The main industries are agriculture, brewing, and formerly coal mining. In 2006, permission was given for a waterfront development of the Docks area of Alloa, which has been in decline since the 1960s.

Alloa railway station reopened in May 2008. A new railway line was completed which connected Kincardine and Stirling, and thus reconnecting Alloa to the national rail network for the first time since 1968, was opened to the public. Passenger services only operate towards Stirling, the line to Kincardine is normally used by freight trains only. An opening ceremony was held on Thursday 15 May, with the first fully functioning passenger service commencing in the new summer timetable on 19 May 2008.[3][4] The service provides an hourly connection between Alloa, Stirling and Glasgow Queen Street.

History [edit]

Clackmannan
—  County (until circa 1890)  —
Country Scotland
County town Clackmannan
Area
 • Total 123 km2 (47 sq mi)
  Ranked 34th
Chapman code CLK

Clackmannan, the old county town, is named after the ancient stone associated with the pre-Christian deity Manau or Mannan.[5] The stone now rests on a larger stone beside the Tollbooth and Mercat Cross at the top of Main street, Clackmannan.[6]

Legend has it that Robert the Bruce mislaid his glove while in the area and, on asking where it was, was told "Look aboot ye". The county's coat of arms shows a pair of gloves.

Clackmannanshire became known for the weaving mills powered by the Hillfoots burns. Other industries included brewing, glass manufacture, mining and ship building.

Now capitalising on its central position and transport links, Clackmannanshire attracts service industries and tourism.

Towns and villages [edit]

Places of interest [edit]

References [edit]

  1. ^ http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Clackmannanshire_More_than_you_imagine_Sign_at_Menstrie.jpg Image of road sign with slogan "Clackmannanshire More than you imagine"
  2. ^ http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Welcome_to_Clackmannanshire.jpg Image of road sign at border of Clackmannanshire with slogan "More than you imagine"
  3. ^ "Railway information | Clackmannanshire Council". Clacksweb.org.uk. 2008-05-19. Retrieved 2012-09-19. 
  4. ^ "Stirling Alloa Kincardine Railway celebrates first anniversary". ClacksWeb. 2008-05-15. Retrieved 2012-09-19. 
  5. ^ "File:Clackmannan sign about stone, cross and tollbooth.jpg - Wikimedia Commons". Commons.wikimedia.org. Retrieved 2012-09-19. 
  6. ^ "Image of the Stone of Mannan". Commons.wikimedia.org. Retrieved 2012-09-19. 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Towns and villages in Clackmannanshire

External links [edit]

Clackmannanshire
Towns and villages

Coordinates: 56°10′N 3°45′W / 56.167°N 3.750°W / 56.167; -3.750

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