The beautiful Scottish town with 'growing food scene' perfect for summer day out

The Daily Record is back with the latest edition of our Town of the Week series. This time, we are journeying to a hidden gem that is known for its green space and history—and has earned praise for its "growing food scene".
Alloa is situated in Clackmannanshire in the Central Lowlands of Scotland. Located under an hour from both Glasgow and Edinburgh, the town is home to a population of around 20,000.
Alloa was previously described by travel inspiration website Choosewhere as having a "growing food scene". The experts praised the town for having "several options for lunch, dinner, and snacks".
One of the restaurants in Alloa Choosewhere singled out was Bar Aldo's, which it described as a "favourite for Italian food". The eatery specialises in homemade food inspired by the Picinisco region, with dishes including Ravioli Aragasta, Chef Gio Papa Pasta, and Tagliatelle Filetto.
Elsewhere, another top place for a bite to eat around town is The Royal Oak Alloa. Described on its website as Alloa's "favourite pub and restaurant", The Royal Oak Alloa serves up a wide selection of both food and drink.
In terms of cuisine, the eatery offers dishes such as homemade steak and ale pie, breaded haddock, and chilli con carne. Visitors can also enjoy desserts like caramel apple pie, sticky toffee pudding, and even a variety of sundaes.
Meanwhile, for those after a smaller bite or a coffee, Dnisi is one of Alloa's top cafés. The venue, which uses locally sourced ingredients where possible, offers full breakfasts, ciabattas and wraps, and a selection of pastries and cakes.
It isn't just food that Alloa has to offer, however. The stunning town also provides easy access to a number of picturesque beauty spots and historic attractions.
When the sun is shining, one of the top destinations in the area is the Gartmorn Dam Country Park and Nature Reserve. Situated just out of Alloa, the 370-acre park is home to Scotland's oldest reservoir.
Another must-visit is Alloa Tower, which dates back all the way to the 14th century. Described by the National Trust for Scotland as the biggest surviving keep in the country, the tower features opulent interiors to explore where royalty once wandered.
Keep reading for photos showing some of Alloa's highlights. For further travel inspiration, a selection of the Daily Record's past Towns and Villages of the Week can be found here:

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