Old Plean

Balgray Tower

Balgrayhill · 18 miles

A striking example of early-nineteenth-century Gothic Revival architecture stands at 50 Broomfield Road in the Springburn district of Glasgow. Commissioned around 1820 by ironfounder Moses McCulloch and designed by the city’s leading architect David Hamilton, the villa incorporates a castellated tower that originally dominated an open countryside setting. The structure, now surrounded by residential streets, retains its U-plan layout of rubble stone with harled finishes, ashlar dressings and a central tower capped by crenellated parapets, round-headed bipartite windows and decorative arrow slits. A rear circular staircase turret rises above the parapet, its interior spiral stair providing panoramic 360-degree views over the neighbourhood. Designated a Category B listed building on 15 December 1979, the tower is recognised for its regional architectural and historic importance. Over the nineteenth century it acquired local names such as Breeze’s Tower and Springburn Castle, reflecting ownership by the Breeze family. Although the building now forms part of a suburban streetscape, its elevated position keeps it visible across the area, and local folklore sometimes mentions it as a haunted site. The tower can be seen from Broomfield Road; no specific admission or visitor facilities are recorded, and access is limited to external observation from the public thoroughfare.

The Dunmore Pineapple

Airth · 3.7 miles

Bizarre fruit-inspired building set within a woodland full of wildlife.

Elphinstone Tower

Dunmore · 3.7 miles

Ruin of old tower with remains of mausoleum

Kidz Town

Stirling · 4.3 miles

£7.95 play only / £10.95 Play’n’Dine package includes childrens lunch and drink. Babies under 1 and first adult free, additional adults £1.00 which can be redeemed at the cafe for £1.oo off a hot drink. Sensory room £4.00 per visit.

Polmaise Castle

Cambusbarron · 5 miles

This is the site of Polmaise Castle. The home to the Murray family was completed around 1865 and blown up by the army in 1966. The building had become dangerous and was so destroyed. What remains is just stones and rubble.

Alloa Tower

Alloa · 5 miles

Large fortified tower boasts lavish interiors where kings and queens once wandered.