Clackmannan Tolbooth, Mercat Cross and Clackmannan Stone, Main Street, Clackmannan

Image: © Jo and Steve Turner Taken: 20 Jun 2014

All three structures are Category A Listed. The remaining Belfry Tower of the Tolbooth was built about 1680. The Act authorising the Tolbooth was passed in June 1592 and it was built at a cost of £284. The bell presented by Sir Lawrence Dundas in 1765 was, until 1939, rung each day at 6pm. The clock was donated in 1865. Ruinous by 1792 it was not abandoned until 1822 and then partly demolished. The market cross shaft is probably earlier, bearing chain marks of prisoners fastened to it, but the original capital bears the Bruce coat of arms donated by Sir Henry Bruce (about 1622-1674) in the mid 17th century. The ball finial was replaced from the Bruce mansion house after it was demolished in 1857, then restored in 1897. The octagonal steps were rebuilt in 1949 and replaced in 2007. Clackmannan is thought to be derived from the Mannan stone that was mounted on the whinstone block in 1833. Clog (stone) and Manau (Celtic sea-god) became Clog Manann and eventually Clackmannan (recorded from 12th century onwards). The stone, dated from the third or second millennium BC by some is pre-Christian and probably stood in Lookabootye Brae until moved to Clackmannan Tower and then mounted here on a stone brought from Abbey Craig. It was broken in pieces at an early date and bound together with iron rods.

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