Alloa is a town found within Clackmannanshire, set in the Central Lowlands of Scotland. It is located on the north bank of the Firth of Forth next to the foot of the Ochil Hills, 5.5 miles (8.9 km) east of Stirling and 7.9 miles (12.7 km) north of Falkirk. The name possibly means 'rock plain'. During the 2001 census, Alloa had a resident population of 18,989. Improvements were made to the harbour throughout the 1700s, leading to Alloa thriving as a river port through which the products manufactured in Glasgow were exported to continental Europe. At that time, and until the 1950s, the primary industry to the north and east of the town was coal mining. Wool has also normally been plentiful in the region and in the early years of the 1800s, John Paton established a little yarn-spinning business inside the town, later establishing Kilncraigs Mill. His firm merged with J. & J. Baldwin of Halifax in 1924 to become the world-famous Paton & Baldwins Ltd. Alloa was noted for its weaving and glassmaking industries throughout the 19th and into the early 20th century. Alloa has long been associated with the brewing business, with at least nine major breweries producing ales at its height. It was also home to a distillery. Following the closure of the distillery, barrel production has continued to flourish in the town. The town has a busy shopping centre, with nationally recognised supermarket chains on the site of the old distillery, near to the railway station. For all your property upgrades, be certain that you utilise trustworthy experts in Alloa to ensure you obtain the best quality work.