CLACKS residents are being urged to have their say over the future of an iconic medieval tower with ambitions for it to deliver community benefits.

Sauchie Tower has been overlooking the landscape near Fishcross since around 1415 and with very few alterations since its construction, it is unique among the four towers in the county.

Owned by Clackmannanshire Heritage Trust, a charity which took over responsibility for the property and its surroundings from the council, it is still in a remarkable condition.

However, without a plan for its future there is a danger that it could slip into disrepair and ruin.

The trust is looking to find a use for the tower which benefits the community, is financially sustainable and preserves its heritage for future generations.

Susan Mills, a trustee at Clackmannanshire Heritage Trust, said: “We have just had a successful Doors Open Days event, when 112 people came to visit and we saw their enthusiasm for this very special building.

“We want to listen to the community to hear how the tower could be used in future to benefit as wide a range of people as possible.

“We would love to hear from everyone, including people who may not have visited the tower yet or don't know very much about it.”

Previous research conducted by the trust has suggested that the building could be restored to provide self-catering holiday accommodation along with an exhibition space on the ground floor.

A more ambitious alternative was the idea to restore the tower and its grounds as a larger scale visitor attraction, possibly including wedding, exhibition and conference facilities.

While these possibilities are still on the cards, the trust is keen to gather ideas from people from across the Wee County to hear what residents would like to see happen at the site.

It is believed that restoring Sauchie Tower could be an opportunity to support the area's economic development, improving health and wellbeing, developing people's skills while building pride for the area as a place to live.

However, the trust hopes to put forward a plan that is led by the wants of the community.

Sauchie Tower was the home of the influential Schaw family before they moved to a larger mansion at Schawpark around 1710.

There are also medieval towers in Alloa and Clackmannan along with a tower at Castle Campbell.

An open community survey on the future of the tower will run until the end of October.

People can visit bit.ly/SauchieTower to give their ideas online while paper copies can be picked up and dropped off at Sauchie Hall, Sauchie Resource Centre and the Legends Pool Hall in Fishcross.