SAUCHIE TOWER could be converted into holiday accommodation as part of proposals to boost tourism in Clackmannanshire.

Millions will be injected into the Wee County in a bid to draw a greater number of visitors over the next few years.

Among them is a £1.5million investment to enable tourists to stay at Sauchie Tower, near the SSPCA centre at Fishcross.

A further £1m has also been set aside to fund a village and small town initiative, with £500,000 earmarked for an Alloa Centre Heritage Park & Trail.

EPIC, formerly known as the Ochils Landscape Partnership will also receive £1m, as will the Japanese Garden in Cowden, with further funding set down to establish a Whisky Heritage Trail in the county.

It is hoped these projects will spark a "ripple effect" that will have benefits for a number of industries in Clacks.

Liz Buchanan, regional partnerships director with VisitScotland, said: "This is an exciting time for Clackmannanshire, as the area joins forces with Stirling on a City Deal that spells still more significant investment to come.

"In advance of that, the National Tourism Development Framework sets out impressive levels of investment already planned in Clackmannanshire tourism, and we will aim to ensure close co-ordination of local authority planners and partners continues, creating real opportunities and benefits in the coming years.

"The visitor economy in Clackmannanshire causes a ripple effect that touches every industry, business and community in the region.

"Realising its growth potential to 2020 through the planning system is an important opportunity to grasp, especially in our challenging economic climate. This National Tourism Development Framework refresh sets out actions to support sustainable growth in the visitor economy to 2020.

"The framework focuses on every single part of the visitor journey from arrival to departure. Good internet connectivity, smooth roads, informative signage and urban improvement projects are just a few of the hugely important pieces that join together to ensure our visitors have the best experience possible while in Scotland."

Clackmannanshire will also benefit from £300,000 which is being invested in the BT Digital Step Change project.

Stephen Hagan, COSLA spokesperson for development, economy and sustainability, said: "Tourism and its positive impact on local economic development plays a vital role in improving outcomes for local communities.

"Despite a period of uncertainty following the EU referendum I'm heartened to see that a variety of local projects and initiatives are being taken forward in order to raise the profile of the tourism sector which remains of crucial importance to the Scottish economy."