CASTLES ALLOA

Tulliallan Castle is a substantial fortified house built between 1812 and 1820 near Kincardine in Fife, Scotland, combining Gothic and Italian architectural styles amid approximately ninety acres of parkland overlooking the Firth of Forth. The modern castle occupies a site with deep historical roots, where an earlier medieval structure called Old Tulliallan Castle stood from at least 1304, when it was ordered strengthened by Edward I of England. Since 1954, the castle has served as home to the Scottish Police College and briefly as the headquarters of Police Scotland, making it an important institution in modern Scottish law enforcement. The dramatic setting and unusual architectural blend reflect the evolving character of this long-inhabited estate.

Sauchie Tower was constructed between 1430 and 1440 by Sir James Schaw, a prominent medieval Scottish official who governed Stirling Castle. This five-storey tower house measures approximately 11.5 meters by 10.3 meters externally and is built from distinctive pink sandstone ashlar blocks pinned with oyster shells. The structure features ornate interior details including elaborate fireplaces, recessed windows with bench seating, and a circular staircase, crowned by a hexagonal cap-house. Located in Alloa, the tower survives as the last standing residential structure of the Schaw family estates and is normally open for guided tours during Scottish Archaeology Month and Doors Open Days in September.