Clackmannanshire

Clackmannanshire Siorrachd Chlach Mhannainn
Logo Coat of arms
Location
Geography
Area	Ranked 30th
- Total	159 km2 (61 sq mi)
- % Water	?
Admin HQ	Alloa
ISO 3166-2	GB-CLK
ONS code	00QF
Demographics
Population	Ranked 29th
- Total (2008)	50,500
- Density	318 /km2 (824 /sq mi)
Politics
Clackmannanshire Council http://www.clacks.gov.uk/
Control	Labour (minority control)
MPs	Gordon Banks, Labour
MSPs	Keith Brown, Scottish National Party

Clackmannanshire or Clacks (Scots: Clackmannanshire, Scottish Gaelic: Siorrachd Chlach Mhannainn) is a local government council area in Scotland, and a lieutenancy area, bordering Perth and Kinross, Stirling and Fife.

The council area was created in 1996, under the Local Government etc (Scotland) Act 1994, with the boundaries of the former Clackmannan district of the Central region. The district had been created in 1975, under the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, to include the county of Clackmannan and Muckhart area of the county of Perth.

According to the legislation of 1996, the council area was to have the name, Clackmannan, of the former district, but 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 49,000, around half of whom live in the main town, Alloa, which is the administrative centre, having outgrown the town of Clackmannan in 1822.

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".^{[citation needed]}

Council political composition

Geography

The Ochil Hills lie in the northern part of the area. It mostly comprises a lowland plain, forming the straths of the River Forth and of the River Devon, which joins the Forth near Cambus.

Economy

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 connecting Kincardine and Stirling, 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 for 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.^[1][2] The service provides an hourly connection between Alloa, Stirling and Glasgow Queen Street.

History

Between 1889 and 1975, the County of Clackmannan was a local government county, bordering on Perthshire, Stirlingshire and Fife. As Scotland's smallest historic county, it is often nicknamed 'The Wee County'. Legend has it that Clackmannanshire is named after Robert the Bruce lost his glove ('clack') at the ancient standing stone ('mannan') in Clackmannan.

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 good transport links, Clackmannanshire attracts service industries and tourism.

Towns and villages

• Alloa - administrative centre
• Alva
• Clackmannan
• Coalsnaughton
• Devonside
• Dollar
• Fishcross
• Glenochil
• Menstrie
• Muckhart
• Sauchie
• Tillicoultry
• Tullibody

Places of interest

County of Clackmannan until circa 1890
Geography
Area - Total	Ranked 34th 30,477 acres (123 km²)
County town	Clackmannan
Chapman code	CLK

• Alloa Tower
• Ben Cleuch
• Castle Campbell
• Gartmorn Dam
• Menstrie Castle

References

1. ^ News Item
2. ^ Clackmannanshire Council Online | ClacksWeb

External links

• Clacksweb - Clackmannanshire Council Online
• Clackmannanshire at the Open Directory Project
• ClacksNet - Clackmannanshire's Community Network
• Census 2001 Information (PDF)
• National Library of Scotland - Clackmannanshire Map ca. 1681
• Look Aboot Ye - Clackmannanshire Community News, Information and Forums

Coordinates: 56°10′N 3°45′W / 56.167°N 3.75°W / 56.167; -3.75