The Andy Scott Art Trail is by far the most well-known and well publicised art in Clackmannanshire, but it is by no means the only art on display around the County.
Over the years many pieces have been installed throughout the area, some pieces a bit more well-known or easier to view than others. We hope that this page will show people some pieces they have never seen or heard of and help to give a little insight where we can about the meaning of the pieces.
Pontils
Dumyat South Roundabout, Tullibody, A907
This sculpture was made by Angus based artist Michael Visocchi RSA, aided by Douglas Cocker and was installed in May 2007. This piece stands on a roundabout on the western side of Clackmannanshire at the western end of Tullibody. Pontils is a nod to the longevity of the Glass industry in Alloa as well as to the brewing and distilling industries which have been present in Clackmannanshire for centuries. The shapes within the sculpture portray the blowing of bottles which would have been used by the breweries and distilleries. The long “poles” depict the rods (pontils, hence the name) upon which molten glass was handled. The shape on top depicts the blowing of the glass into bottles.
Source
Spiers Centre, Primrose Place, Alloa
This piece was commissioned by Kingdom Housing Association when they built a new social housing development on the edge of Alloa town centre, in a part of the ring road car park. The piece was created by Jamieson & Gordon who are artists based in the Scottish Borders. The sculpture is of a large “stone” with what appears to be rivers engraved into it. This is to depict the numerous sources of fresh water for Alloa, which were extremely important to allow the many local industries to operate.
Sentinel
High Street and Greenside Street, Alloa
These sculptures were created by Aberfoyle based Rob Mulholland and were installed in 2010. The four pieces of art are made using marine grade, highly polished steel and stand around 2.4metres high. Three of the pieces stand in High Street and the fourth can be found in Greenside Street on the walkway to Alloa Tower, at Kilncraigs. Each human shaped piece has a mirrored finish with some distortion within it to allow each to have a unique and more interesting reflection. The reflections are always different in each piece due to how the sun, cloud, rain etc affects that piece. The sculptures are a favourite with the children of Clackmannanshire as the mirrored finish gives the children a source of fun whilst in the town centre. Often people are seen glimpsing at the pieces as they pass and catch their altered reflection out of the corner of their eye.
Riveted Copper Kettle
 |
 |
Junction Place, Alloa
Sitting beside the former location of MacLay's Thistle Brewery, it is the top piece of a once working copper brewing kettle. This kettle was salvaged from the brewery after its closure in 1999. During it's time as a working kettle in the brewery, wort would have been boiled in it for 60-90 minutes per batch. During the boiling, hops would be introduced. The wort is unfermented beer.
Falcon
Dumyat View Roundabout, Tullibody, A907
This piece was produced by Adrian Russell Lamb of the Glasgow Sculpture Studio. it was based on the designs of students from Lornshill Academy (the local secondary school). The students participated in workshops with Adrian as well as going to visit the Glasgow Sculpture Studio with him, during which they also met sculptor Joe Ingleby. The twenty foot high fibreglass piece was installed in 2005. The proud eagle is looking towards the Ochil Hills as its chicks look on from their nest just below. Unfortunately, at present the sculpture is partially hidden by trees which have grown around it and so the not so keen eyed might not spot the piece easily.
Due to a lack of information about the sculpture it has over the years simply become known as “The Bird of Prey” - this is how the local council list it on their public art webpage. We can only assume at this point that the inspiration was the peregrine falcons sometimes seen flying near the Ochil Hills.
Anchor & Chain
Lime Tree Walk, Alloa
The Anchor & Chain has had two homes in Alloa over the years. It was originally sited at the top of the town's High Street in 1993 but was removed in 2009 when there was work being carried out to modernise the town centre. The Anchor and Chain were removed and taken away to be cleaned and stored before being placed in Lime Tree Walk, which leads down to the former Alloa Docks area.
The Anchor & Chain are to symbolise Alloa's Shipbuilding history. Especially its role during World War II, something which many younger generations know nothing about. The Anchor & Chain were actually taken from one of the first Tank Landing Craft built in Alloa. William Arrol's shipyard at Kelliebank in Alloa were kept busy building the Tank Landing Craft, many of which were adapted and used on D-Day on the 6th of June 1944 to carry troops and equipment ashore.
Merchant & Royal Naval ships were adapted for new roles to help liberate Europe, trawlers became minesweepers and liners became troop carriers and hospitals. A lot of this work was undertaken by McLeod & Son, based in Forth Street in Alloa.
There are many more art installations around Clackmannanshire, we will update this page as we collect information and pictures of the pieces.