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Airth, Stirling

Not a folly in the true meaning of the word but definitely a little on the eccentric side.

On the south bank of the River Forth looking west and on the horizon you can see Stirling Castle and the Wallace Monument at Causewayhead both over six miles away.

This was the main building of a set of greenhouses built for the purpose of growing pineapples.

Now in the hands of the National Trust for Scotland, car parking and entry to the grounds are free.

There's also a holiday home for rent in the grounds. (Not even a little bit free.)

It was built for the Earl of Dunmore in about 1761.

Pineapples were a symbol of great wealth as they were very expensive to transport from the Caribbean. Having a thirty foot high one on his roof must have been impressive.

The steep slope in front of the main door prevents decent photos from ground level.

That's Alloa over the Forth.

Finally, a couple of panoramas.