Top 5 things to do in Falkirk in 2023
Falkirk is quite a small town with a population of around 36,000 which is a lot less than its neighbours – Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Because of this, it is sometimes overlooked by first time visitors to the Scotland which is a shame because they are missing out on so much.
For instance, did you know Falkirk marked the north-western frontier of the Roman Empire and still has the scars to prove it? Or that it contains the world’s only rotating boat lift and the largest horse statues in the world?
Because there’s so much to do, we’ve put together this top five list so you can streamline your next visit.
We’ve also put together a Falkirk City Guide so give that a read too as it contains lots of information on how to get there, the town’s history, where to stay and much, much more!
5. The Pineapple
The Pineapple is regularly voted one of the most unusual houses in the UK and really needs to be seen to be believed.
At over 45 feet tall, this huge fruit was built by its owner Lord Dunmore way back in 1761 however no one is exactly sure why he built it.
Whatever the reason, it’s a fantastic thing to see and the woodlands that surround it make for a great adventure too.
In fact, if you adventure deep enough into the woods you will come across the abandoned mansion known as Dunmore House and an even older house called Elphinstone Tower. Both are lots of fun to explore but if you go then you need to be extra careful and watch out for any loose stonework.
4. Blackness Castle
When you visit the Blackness Castle you can tell straight away that it wasn’t built for royalty or comfort. With high curtain walls and a rugged interior, this castle was constructed with defence in mind.
The castle is almost 600 years old and has had a variety of uses throughout its life including being used as a state prison which doesn’t sound much fun!
From the viewing platform at Blackness Castle you can get a spectacular view out over the water and all the way along to the Forth Bridges in Queensferry which is worth the ticket price alone.
These days the castle is owned by Historic Scotland which is free for members – more visitor info can be found here.
3. Callendar House and Park
Just off Falkirk’s central street sits the beautiful Callendar House and Park.
The grand house is modelled on a French château and sits pride of place within the park. To the north you will find remnants of the Antonine Wall and to the south sits the woodlands are which is perfect for exploring on foot or by bike.
Entrance to the house is completely free and inside you will find a museum, tea rooms and a fully functioning Georgian Kitchen – if you time it right they may even have some freshly baked biscuits to try!
You may also recognise the kitchen from the TV show Outlander where someone met a gruesome end – no spoilers!
2. Falkirk Wheel
Fancy a once in a lifetime boat trip in the heart of Scotland? Then you’ve come to the right place!
The rotating boat lift known as the Falkirk Wheel is a marvel of engineering and is the only one in the entire world.
Its purpose is to connect two canals that run at different levels and for about £13 you can travel along the canal before getting to experience the lift first hand.
The Falkirk Wheel was opened by HM The Queen in 2002 and since then has welcomed millions of visitors from all over the world.
You can find information on tickets as well as other helpful info here.
1. The Kelpies and Helix Park
Falkirk is home to the majestic Kelpies. These 100ft tall horse head sculptures are located in the town’s Helix Park and their scale really needs to be seen to be believed – they are huge!
Opened in 2014, the sculptures represent the mythical beast as well as the real industrial horses that helped Falkirk prosper.
The park is great for families and includes a boating lake, play park, canal paths, food & drink and a visitor centre.
One of our favourite things to do is to walk the canal path from the Kelpies to the Falkirk Wheel so you can see two attractions in one day.
We’ve written a useful guide on tips for visiting the Kelpies which you can check out here.
