About Bridge of Allan in Stirlingshire
Bridge of Allan is a town in the Stirling council area of Scotland. The town, situated on the Allan Water, a tributary of the River Forth, lies in the Forth Valley between the towns of Stirling and Dunblane. It had a population of 5,869 at the 2001 census.
The town is home to the University of Stirling and a number of major high-tech industries. It is also a popular tourist destination, with many visitors coming to see its Victorian spa town heritage and to enjoy its scenic location.
The name Bridge of Allan is derived from the Gaelic language and means "the bridge over the Allan Water". The town's coat of arms shows two salmon on either side of a castle, reflecting the importance of fishing in the local economy.
The town has a long history dating back to Roman times. It was an important stopping point for travellers on the Antonine Wall, and later became a key staging post on the road from Glasgow to Edinburgh. In more recent times, Bridge of Allan has been home to a number of famous residents, including the writer Sir Walter Scott and the physicist James Clerk Maxwell.