In the early 1850s a book was published that described much of Clackmannanshire, and Stirlingshire which included Alva at that time, from the viewpoint of the Rev Charles Roger.

Roger was a son of the manse, having been born in 1825 to Fife minister James Roger and his wife Jane Haldane.

When he was 14, he entered the University of St Andrews where he studied Arts and Divinity. Here he began writing for local newspapers.

In 1846 he graduated with a Doctor of Divinity, taking temporary posts throughout Fife until 1849 when he was appointed minister of the North Church in Dunfermline. In 1850 he was elected a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland.

When he was 25, he was invited to the Airthrey estate to write a book about the spa. This was in fact Bridge of Allan, and resulted in the 1851 work A Week at Bridge of Allan.

Roger travelled round the Wee County and Stirlingshire, and as far out as Loch Lomond. In the book, he described Montague Cottage, not far from Blairlogie heading towards Menstrie, as the summer house of John Tait, the sheriff of Clackmannan and Kinross.

When he reached Menstrie, or Menstry as it was, he described Menstry House, now known as Menstrie Castle, and 'a row of walnut trees, along the west side of the garden, which imparts by the leaves in summer a delicious fragrance.'

At Alva, he was scathing of the work done to the Glen, stating it was the work of 'the interfering hand of men,' as a reservoir had been built, along with water troughs along the burn.

However, he was impressed by Alva House and its garden, with its impressive water fountain, which was open to the public.

At Tillicoultry, the gothic Parish Church impressed him, as did Harviestoun House which had been constructed in 1804.

He also paid a visit to Castle Campbell, describing it as a 'venerable structure.'

At Alloa, he was impressed by the new villas being built, calling the older parts of the town 'unpretending.' Alloa Tower, he said, had commanding views 'of nine counties'.

He also visited Clackmannan, describing it as 'only an inferior village,' although went on to say the tower was 'interesting' and 'tolerably entire.'

He also described Tullibody House as a 'plain manor of the seventeenth century, the old seat of the distinguished family of Abercromby.'

Roger was famed for proposing the Wallace Monument be built on Abbey Craig. He died in 1890 aged 65.