Alloa Mercat Cross

The Mercat Cross stands in the middle of Alloa's town centre, a stone column that's been marking this spot since the 16th century. It's the sort of thing you'd walk past without thinking twice if you weren't paying attention - which would be a shame, because it's genuinely important to understanding how Scottish market towns actually worked.

This cross is where business happened. Merchants set up their stalls, proclamations were read, and the town's pulse beat around this very spot for centuries. You can still see the original shaft and capital, though it's been rebuilt and restored over time - which is honestly more interesting than it sounds. Real history isn't always pristine.

It won't take long to visit. Five minutes, really, if you're just walking up to have a look. But if you're into Scottish history or architecture, spend a bit longer studying the details. The craftsmanship on the stone is proper impressive when you actually stop and look.

Alloa itself sits between some decent caravan parks - Highland Gateway Glamping is only 2.7 miles away, and Witches Craig is 4.7 miles north. If you're camping in the area, the Mercat Cross is easy to slot into a morning walk around town before heading elsewhere in Clackmannanshire. Pair it with a visit to Alloa Tower if you're making a day of it. Not a showstopper, but a solid little piece of local heritage that gets overlooked.