Alloa Tower, one of Scotland’s most historic tower houses, harbours a chilling curse that has haunted the Erskine family for centuries
Alloa Tower, located in Clackmannanshire in the Central Lowlands of Scotland, stands as a proud reminder of medieval times and a testament to ancient architecture.
Built in the 14th century as the home of the influential Erskine family, later the Earls of Mar, it’s one of Scotland’s best-preserved fortified houses.
However, beyond its historic significance, Alloa Tower is said to carry a chilling curse that has followed the Erskine family for generations.
The Curse of Alloa Tower Begins
The story of the curse dates back to the 16th century, when John Erskine, the 1st Earl of Mar, committed an act that would forever alter the family’s fate.
He took stone from the ruins of Cambuskenneth Abbey to build his mansion, Mar’s Wark, in Stirling.
Angered by this, the Abbot of Cambuskenneth is said to have placed a curse on the Erskines – one that foretold a series of tragic events for the family, including the ruin of their estate and the loss of children who would “never see the light of day”.
One haunting prophecy even declared that the curse would only be broken when an ash sapling took root in the stones of Alloa Tower.
The Curse Comes to Life
For centuries, the curse remained a dark cloud over the family.
In 1715, the Erskines’ support for the Jacobite rebellion at Sheriffmuir led to the loss of their lands, fulfilling the prediction that their estate would fall into the hands of strangers.
But it wasn’t just their wealth and status that suffered—personal tragedies soon followed.
John Francis Erskine, the 7th Earl of Mar, witnessed a devastating fire at Alloa Tower in 1800.
The flames destroyed the mansion and tragically claimed his wife’s life, just as the curse had warned.
Another eerie part of the prophecy came true when three of his children were born blind, echoing the prediction that “three children would never see the light of day”.
The family’s misfortune seemed unending.
The Earl’s eldest son was disinherited and died of an opium overdose, while other family members met similarly tragic ends.
The curse, it seemed, was being fulfilled line by line.
Alloa Tower Today: Can You Visit?
Though the Erskine family’s troubled history is now part of the past, Alloa Tower remains, standing strong as a symbol of both its glory days and the dark legacy that has haunted it.
Today, it is managed by the National Trust for Scotland and welcomes visitors who are curious to explore its history and its eerie stories.
As one of Scotland’s largest and oldest tower houses, Alloa Tower offers a unique glimpse into medieval life.
Inside, you’ll find exhibitions on the Erskine family, their royal connections, and, of course, the curse that shaped their destiny.
There are also seasonal events, making it an ideal place to visit whether you’re a history enthusiast or simply looking for a family day out.
So, when you visit, take a moment to stand among the tower’s ancient stones.
You might just find yourself wondering – how much of this is legend, and how much is rooted in real events?
Do the shadows of the past still linger here?
Have you experienced the supernatural at Alloa Tower? Tell us in the comments section!
