Transaction in Own Shares

10 March 2010

Alliance Trust PLC

TRANSACTION IN OWN SHARES

Alliance Trust notes the reduction in DC Thomson & Co Ltd's shareholding in
Alliance Trust as announced earlier today. This follows a purchase today by the
Company of 6,000,000 shares at a price of 327.7p, representing a discount to
last night's closing NAV of 22.0%. This can be compared to the closing discount
on Tuesday of 21%. The Board decided to exercise its authority to purchase
these shares when it became aware that a substantial holding was available at a
discount to the bid price, at a time when the Trust is satisfied with the shape
of the investment portfolio, its outlook for equities and the Trust's current
level of debt. The Board believes that the transaction is in the interests of
all shareholders

Alliance Trust does not have authority to hold shares in treasury and therefore
on completion of this trade these shares will be cancelled. The number of
shares in issue will therefore reduce from 667.1m to 661.1m

DC Thomson & Co Ltd remains a substantial shareholder in Alliance Trust PLC and
holds over 5.7% of the remaining shares in issue following the cancellation.

Enquiries:

Evan Bruce-Gardyne
Alliance Trust PLC
Telephone: [phone]

Conor McClafferty
Finsbury Group
Telephone: [phone]