Brief History
Halfway between the two largest cities in Scotland lies the town of Falkirk. Once just a small market town competing with its much larger neighbours, Falkirk is now establishing itself as a tourist destination in its own right due to its world-famous attractions, notable historical sites and its ideal natural location as a hub to explore the rest of the country.
Falkirk has a long and proud history dating back thousands of years. To this day, in locations such as Calendar Park and Rough Castle Fort, you can walk along the remains of the almost two-thousand-year-old Antonine Wall. This immense defensive structure once cut the country in two and marked the northern most frontier of Roman Britain. To the south of the wall, captured Roman lands, and to the north, the unruly and unconquerable Caledonian Tribes who after only a couple decades forced the Romans to abandon position and retreat southwards.
A couple of centuries after the Roman’s left, a small town began to grow around a modest church built of different colour stone. Due to these various stones the building was described as the speckled church and when translated into Scots this became the Faw Kirk (eventually Falkirk) thus giving the town its name. Falkirk was a big enough town by the 13th Century that after the disastrous defeat of William Wallace at the battle of Falkirk in 1298 (immortalised in ballads and films like Braveheart), Wallace’s right hand man was laid to rest in the grounds of the rebuilt Faw Kirk which you can still visit today.
Falkirk was again a battle ground in 1746 during the Jacobite rebellion. In the high muirs to the south of the town, Bonny Prince Charlie saw his last victory here against British forces just a couple of months before the comprehensive defeat at Culloden (apologies to all Outlander fans for the spoilers!). It was also around this time period that Falkirk began to grow rapidly following its specialisation in Ironworking and from the building of the canals which could connect the town to the rest of the country and allow it trade goods all over the world. At one point, Falkirk was the beating heart of Scotland’s Industrial Revolution.
Now in the past, these events have all left their marks on the landscape and people of Falkirk who would be all too welcome to tell you about their town if you decide to visit. These days Falkirk rightfully markets itself not only as an historic town but also one that is looking to the future. Over the past few years, attractions such as the one-of-a-kind Falkirk Wheel and spectacular Kelpies structures at the Helix Park have continued to put Falkirk on the map.
Arrival Tips
Plane
As part of its central location, Falkirk has great transport links making it very easy to travel to. If you are flying in, you have the luxury to travel to either Edinburgh or Glasgow – the two largest airports in Scotland. From here you can drive to Falkirk in only 20 minutes from Edinburgh and 40 minutes from Glasgow.
Edinburgh is easier if you require public transport as you can take a short tram ride to the train station and from there travel onto Falkirk. Glasgow does not have a tram service, but buses are available to take you to the city centre and from there you can catch a train to Falkirk.
As you’ll notice if you choose to explore the more rural parts of Scotland, the central belt is all well connected and is the best area in the country for public transport. From experience, arriving into Edinburgh airport is the quickest and easiest option for onward travel to Falkirk but Glasgow is not too far behind.
Train
Travelling into Falkirk by train is a solid option if you are more local or just prefer the scenic route through the beautiful Scottish countryside. Trains from Glasgow and Edinburgh take under half an hour and for peace of mind you can buy your tickets online before you travel.
With that said, it’s also possible to travel in from further afield – for example, London to Falkirk is only a 5-and-a-half-hour journey and using rail would be a great option if you plan to stop off at other sites around the UK too.
Falkirk has two train stations, Falkirk Grahamston and Falkirk High. Grahamston is located right in the town centre and generally services more local stops but can easily be used to get to Glasgow, Edinburgh, or Stirling. The High station on the other hand is a 15-minute uphill walk away from the town centre, but the advantage is that this offers high speed connections to the cities.
Bus
Until recently, Falkirk had a dedicated bus station in the east end of the town centre, however mounting maintenance costs forced it into closure much to the dismay of the locals. These days if you are travelling into the town by bus, you will most likely arrive and depart from Newmarket Street in the middle of the town centre. This is only a 2-minute walk away from Grahamston rail station and is a located close to many amenities.
Car Rental
Renting a car in Scotland is simple and whether you are picking it up from a nearby airport or another location the process will be the same. Prices can be as low as £40 a day and having a car is incredibly useful in not only getting to Falkirk, but for also exploring the many other amazing places in Scotland. Beware that for most rental companies you will often have to be over 26 to get a good price and that you will almost always be required to book using, and present on arrival, a credit card in the driver’s name.
Getting Around
Taxi/Uber/Ridesharing
Ridesharing apps like Uber are legal in Scotland and commonplace in cities such as Glasgow and Edinburgh however you may struggle to order one while in Falkirk as there are fewer drivers. All is not lost though as there are countless local taxi companies (such as Bruce Taxis and Express Taxis) that will get you from A to B. To order one, you can phone them up or if you are in the town centre head to lower Newmarket Street as there are often taxi’s waiting in a rank there.
eBike
Fancy exploring Falkirk and the Forth Valley without getting out of breath? If so, you need to check-out the amazing service run by Forth Bike. For the price of a coffee, you can hire an electric bike from one of their many easily accessible stations and tour all the incredible sites in the local area. This scheme doesn’t only cover Falkirk but also the neighbouring councils of Stirling and Clackmannanshire meaning you could make a whole day out of cycling around. If you do decide to hire one, try and beat our top speed of 28 mph!
Walk
In our opinion, there is only one way to explore Falkirk and that is by walking! This opinion seems to be shared with many others as in 2019, Falkirk was voted the winner of the Britain’s Best Walking Neighbourhood Award beating out cities such as Brighton and Cambridge. The High Street in the town centre is pedestrianised allowing for a safe shopping experience and the various parks and forests that surround it are perfect for a blissful escape.
Where To Stay
From budget to luxury to bizarre, you’ll be able to find a stay in Falkirk that is perfect for your needs. Due to its compact and historical town centre, there are only a few hotels right in the centre with most located just outside but these are still easily accessible.
If you want to try something a bit different and live like royalty during your stay, then you should consider booking a room at Airth Castle or Glenskirlie House and Castle. Both of these breath-taking buildings will transfer you back to the time of knights and kings and would make a great story to take back home with you.
If you want to try something even more different then how about you unleash your inner SpongeBob and stay in Falkirk’s very own pineapple house. Yup, you heard correctly, Falkirk has a pineapple house that you can stay in. We’ll talk a bit more about its history below but in short it was an 18th century Lord’s summerhouse that is now owned but the National Trust and for a hefty sum could be yours for a night in you manage to book far enough in advance.
Best Attractions
The Kelpies and Helix Park – Free
A visit to Falkirk, and perhaps even Scotland, simply would not be complete without stopping by Helix Park to gaze up at the majestic faces of Baron and Duke, the Kelpies of Falkirk. You may be wondering what a Kelpie actually is and what it has to do with Falkirk. Well, according to ancient Scottish folklore, a Kelpie is a shapeshifting water creature that often takes the form of a mighty horse and if you believe the tales, you should be able to find one in almost every loch in Scotland.
The sculptures in Helix Park not only symbolise these mythological beasts but also represent the much more real horses that played an incredibly important part in Falkirk’s transformation from a small, farming village to at one point, a world leader in industry. Horses played such a crucial role in everything from agriculture to towing boats down the canal and we love that they have been immortalised in this way.
The Kelpies are located in the much larger Helix Park which contains a visitor centre, canals and lakes, playparks and is often a start point for hundreds of miles of cycling and walking paths that interweave through Falkirk. The best part about this site is that it is completely free to visit so if you’re on a budget this should be top of your list when coming to the area. If you want to take a closer look, then you can pay to join a guided tour that actually goes inside these outstanding sculptures for a view that the majority visitors never get to see.
Falkirk Wheel – Free
A fantastic activity to do in Falkirk is to hire an eBike from the Kelpies and cycle it along the canal and up to the famous Falkirk Wheel. This one-of-a-kind engineering marvel was built to mark the new millennium and was critical in putting Falkirk on the tourist map. Using the same power as it takes to boil 8 kettles, the rotating wheel lifts boats 80ft into the air and connects them with either the Forth and Clyde Canal or the Union Canal so they can continue their journey safely.
The Falkirk Wheel is only about 2 miles away from the town centre so a scenic walk along the canal would cut your costs and allow you to take in the amazing feeling that overcomes you when the wheel emerges out of the thick forest. The area surrounding the wheel is completely free so spend lots of time here filling your phone with photos, and if you want an unforgettable memory, you can pay £13.50 to take an hour-long canal boat tour and experience the rotating boat lift first hand.
In our opinion, the best viewpoint of the wheel can be seen from behind it looking straight down the canal as it drops off into the thin air. To get here from the basin below, simply head up the left side of the wheel until you reach the tunnel and instead of going through it, take the small path on the left which goes up above and will give amazing views like this.
Blackness Castle – £6
Often referred to as the ‘ship that never sailed’ due to its decidedly ship-like appearance, Blackness Castle is a fine example of a late-medieval Scottish fortress. Situated on a rocky outcropping in the Firth of Forth, this rugged castle is a beauty from every angle. If you are able, we suggest climbing to the top of its towers and mighty defensive walls to see unobstructed views all the way up the waterway to the three famous bridges at Queensferry.
The small village of Blackness was formed around the port that served the royal residence of Linlithgow Palace and its surrounding burgh – which is located only a few miles away and definitely worth a visit. As this was a place that was receiving and transporting so many high value goods, it was deemed necessary that a fortress be setup to protect the precious cargo.
With its high curtain walls, solid stone towers and gun ports bristling with artillery, Blackness Castle was a formidable and frightening prospect to anyone that wished to conquer it. And for over a hundred years it was unconquerable, that was until Oliver Cromwell’s New Model Army besieged it in 1650. With the invading cannons placed high on the adjacent hill, they were able to rain down a furious onslaught that eventually led to the castle’s capitulation – the marks of this assault are still visible to this day.
These days, Blackness Castle may be even more famous for its role in the hit series Outlander as it was used to represent Fort William in Season 1. You will no doubt recognise the inner courtyard from the Jamie’s horrific lashing scenes.
A ticket to visit this remarkable site, will only cost you £6. While you are in the area, we recommend walking over the grassy hill just outside the fortress as it leads you down to a quiet beach area with lovely views towards the Forth Bridges.
Free Things To Do
Callendar House and Park
Only a few minutes walk from the centre of Falkirk, the historic Callendar House and the vast park that surrounds it has something for everyone. The grand house is built in the style of a French château and over the years has welcomed many famous guests such as Mary Queen of Scots, Queen Victoria, and Bonnie Prince Charlie. It is free to enter and has many exhibits covering local and national history, but our favourite part is the fully functioning Georgian kitchen which is the best in the country.
Callendar Park has more to offer than just the house. If you have children, they will love playing at the Roman themed playpark which is across the path from a reasonable sized pitch-and-putt and adjacent to a small crazy golf course. To the front and rear of the house are large grass areas where you will often find people picnicking when the sun is out and if you head up the hill to the rear of the house you will find miles of forest walking and cycling paths. The park makes a great halfway point between the Kelpies and the Wheel if you take the Union Canal path.
Rough Castle Fort
At nearly two thousand years old, it is amazing that this Roman fort is so well preserved, in fact, it is the best-preserved fort along the entire length of the Antonine Wall. There are no buildings left standing (although you will still see their outlines) however the main reason to visit is to see the huge ramparts and key defensive structures. Keep a special eye out for the collection of lilia pits which at one point would have been filled with deadly spikes to help the Romans protect themselves from various marauding tribes. These lilia pits are actually some of the most well preserved in the entire country so are well worth a look.
There are a few options to get here from Falkirk including parking in the small, but close cark park or getting a bus to the village of Bonnybridge and making the short walk up to the site. However, if the sun is shining (and even if its not), we suggest incorporating the fort in with a visit to the Falkirk Wheel. If you park at the wheel or in the streets around it, you will find sign posted paths leading you through the forest and straight to Rough Castle – this should only take you 15 minutes. If you have more time, then from the Falkirk Wheel you can walk west along the Forth and Clyde canal and after 45 minutes you will end up in the village of Bonnybridge and from here it will be a 15-minute walk to the site.
Kinneil House
It’s a blessing that this impressive stately home is still around to see today. Built around the 16th century, this large mansion found itself abandoned by the 1930s and in a dilapidated state. The local council decided that rather than refurbishing, they would instead demolish it. It was during this demolition process that they discovered beautiful and rare 16th century painted walls and agreed it was too culturally and historically valuable to destroy.
The unfortunate news is that entry into the actual house is often reserved for special events and so you will have to be very lucky to time it right on your trip. The good news is that the view from the outside is very impressive and there is lots to see and do in the grounds that will make the visit worth it. For example, directly next to the house lies a small, stone cottage that belonged to James Watt who was famous for creating the steam engine that propelled Britain through the Industrial Revolution. You can also take a beautiful woodland walk around the old curling pond and see remnants of a long-abandoned 12th century church. I would suggest caution however, especially if you visit in the dark, as the house and estate is known to be haunted by the ghost of Lady Alice Lilbourne who met her demise here 400 years ago – boo!
Falkirk Trinity Church
From as early as the 7th century, there has always been a church in this exact location. The first church here would have been a lot more modest and the town surrounding it be almost entirely farmland. But, as the years continued and the town grew, so did the church and by the 15th century, the local area was populated enough to warrant a new sanctuary to be built. Over the coming centuries new additions were added here and there with the most impressive being the central, square tower and the octagonal bell tower which you can still see. In 1811 it was decided that the majority of the church building was to be knocked down, expanded and rebuilt and it is this re-design which stands to this day.
This beautiful church and its graveyard lie just off Falkirk High Street and offers a solemn place of reflection away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. It is in this peaceful graveyard that some historic figures are buried and memorialised. This includes Sir John de Graham, William Wallace’s right hand man and trusted friend who was slain during the Battle of Falkirk in 1298 as part of the Scottish Wars of Independence. It is said that Wallace wept as he himself carried his fallen brother off the battlefield and laid him to rest in the church’s graveyard. If you visit today you will see a prominent monument encased in iron railings at the exact location of the burial.
Other prominent figures remembered here included Sir John Stewart, a renowned knight, brother to Scotland’s High Steward and commander of the Scottish archers during the battle of Falkirk. Sir John brought with him to the battle over 600 men of Bute, a small island on Scotland’s west coast. During the frantic fighting, another Scottish commander and his men fled the field leaving Sir John and his men outnumbered three to one. It was at this time that Sir John was eventually thrown from his horse and killed, but as others retreated from the battlefield, the stoic men from Bute stood their ground, not giving an inch. They surrounded their fallen leader and protected his body until each and every one of them met the same gruesome fate. In the graveyard at Falkirk Trinity, you will come across two memorials, one is the original 13th century headstone for Sir John Stewart and another is the much larger 19th century Celtic cross created in memory and thanks to the brave men.
Falkirk Steeple
Visible from miles around and overlooking the historic market square, this icon of Falkirk predates the Wheel and Kelpies by hundreds of years. The current building is in fact the third iteration of the famous local landmark. The location for the first steeple is unknown but it is said to have been situated closer to the Faw Kirk and built sometime around the late 1500s.
Over the next two hundred years, this building fell into ruin and disrepair, and it was decided that the expanding town should exercise more civic pride and so by 1697 a new steeple was built. This was an important addition to the town not only because it added prestige, but for the far more practical reason that it allowed locals to see the time without waiting for the rings of the bell. It was also one of the tallest buildings around and during the Battle of Falkirk Muir in 1746 it was reported that onlookers gathered at the top of the steeple and watched on as Bonnie Prince Charlie’s army routed that of the British Redcoats in what would be the last ever Jacobite victory.
A few decades later in 1803 disaster struck when disruptions in the adjoining tollbooth weakened the structure so much that it began to lean – even as far as to draw comparisons to the famous tower in Pisa! It took a number of years to rebuild but by 1814 the brand new, 140ft high steeple was unveiled and it is still standing strong. It featured a number of useful additions over previous iterations including two jails cells which have remained untouched since their last use in 1859.
With that said, we are still lucky to have this amazing landmark. Following a storm in 1927, the steeple was struck by lighting which all but obliterated the top 40 feet or so causing masonry to fall to the ground below. By great fortune the damage only caused minor injuries to passers-by but the same can’t be said for a poor cart horse who was buried by the rubble. The fact the entire restoration work was completed in under a year shows how important it is to the local people.
The steeple is in the middle of Falkirk’s pedestrianised High Street and you really can’t miss it. If you wish to go inside and visit the jail cells, then you will need to join an organised tour. These are operated by volunteers so don’t run all the time so we suggest to keep an eye out on local event pages.
The area directly outside also has a lot of stories to tell. It was here that locals gathered in times of uncertainty, celebration and war. To bring in the new year and to celebrate the accession of royals. To gather water at the Cross Well and to witness public hangings. Everything important in Falkirk’s history has a connection to this point.
Escape The City
Because of Falkirk’s central location and the wealth of amazing places around it, it would be a shame to not visit some of the town’s neighbour during your trip:
Edinburgh
A place that truly doesn’t need an introduction (but you can give our Edinburgh City Guide a read anyway). Edinburgh deserves to be on everyone’s bucket list. The gorgeous old town will leave you in awe and with so many things to see and do you could easily be here a week. If you are visiting from Falkirk, we recommend you take the 30-minute train from Falkirk High or Grahamston straight to Edinburgh Waverly. If you have a car, then you can also drive to the park and ride at Ingliston and get the tram into the centre. The car park is free here and the tram tickets are cheap so it may save you money and hassle compared with driving into the city centre.
Glasgow
Often described as Scotland’s cultural centre, Glasgow is a 35-minute drive or a 25-minute train journey away from Falkirk. If going by train, we suggest using Falkirk High Station as the journey is twice as quick when compared with Falkirk Grahamston. Glasgow boasts some of the best shopping and food experiences in the country and when twinned with great attractions such as the Kelvingrove and Riverside Museums you can’t go wrong.
Stirling
Often referred to as the Gateway to the Highlands, the skyline of this small city is dominated by Castle Hill and the imposing Stirling Castle which sits atop it. Stirling is the closest city to Falkirk and can be reached in about 20 minutes if driving and 15 minutes on the train. Much of the history here revolves around the mighty castle and those that held it (or tried to). If you are tight on time, you can see a lot of Stirling’s famous sites on the journey up the hill to the castle and from its battlements. We would of course recommend that you don’t rush it and give the city the time it deserves.
Linlithgow
This beautiful, historic town is halfway between Falkirk and Edinburgh and is famous for being the birthplace of Mary, Queen of Scots. Mary was born at Linlithgow Palace which sits in the heart of the town and overlooks the stunning Linlithgow Loch. For a small fee you can explore the palace and climb its towers to get undisturbed views over this lovely area. Once you’re done adventuring, you can walk down Linlithgow’s High Street which has many quaint shops and pubs for you to experience.
If you wished to make a full day out of your visit to Linlithgow, then we suggest hiring a bike in Falkirk and cycling along the tranquil Forth & Clyde Canal towpath. On the way, you will enter the spooky 630-metre-long Falkirk Tunnel, go past the ruins of Almond Castle and travel across Avon Aqueduct, the largest in Scotland!
Useful Tips
- The weather in Falkirk is rather typical for Scotland where the cold and wet winter months are offset by the lovely, warm summers. May is a great time to come visit Falkirk as it is the month with the most sunshine and very little rain. The temperature in May is not as warm as in June or July but its perfectly comfortable.
- An amazing way to see the local area is to follow the Falkirk Town Heritage Trails. There are two routes that lead you round every nook and cranny of Falkirk – one covering the west side of town and the other the east. At each point you will discover a blue information panel that contains information on the importance of the site. You can see the routes and points here.
- Unlike the rest of the UK, Christmas in Scotland actually plays second fiddle to New Year, or as we like to call it, Hogmanay. Hogmanay celebrations in Falkirk, and the rest Scotland, are loud and jovial affairs often spent with friends and family and a few drams of whisky. If you find yourself in Falkirk during this time head over to one of the many pubs and ‘bring in the bells’ in style.
