Falkirk
Contents |
Visitors Guide to Falkirk
Getting there and Around Stirling | Accommodation In Stirling | Eating And Drinking In Stirling | Dunblane| Doune | The Campsies | Falkirk | Linlithgow And Boness | The Ochils | Kinross And Loch Leven
Stretching southeast from Stirling along the Firth of Forth is an area noted more for its industry than its scenic beauty, though there are one or two interesting historical sights, most notably Linlithgow Palace.
Phone code: +44 (0)1324
Sights
Falkirk is the main town between Stirling and Edinburgh, and a busy shopping centre. Falkirk is at the confluence of the Forth and Clyde Canal and the Union Canal, and southwest of the town centre is Scotland's newest engineering achievement, The Falkirk Wheel. Having opened in spring 2002 this huge steel structure is the world's first rotating boat lift – it basically transfers boats from one canal to another. Falkirk's main attraction is Callendar House, a huge turreted mansion extensively altered over the years but thought to date originally from the 14th century. It has several interpretative rooms bringing to love trades of the early 19th century, and is well worth a visit if only for its excellent working Georgian kitchens. Mon-Sat 1000-1700 all year, Apr-Sep also Sun 1400-1700. Tel. 503770.
North of Falkirk, near Airth, on the B9124, is The Pineapple, one of the most bizarre buildings in Scotland. This 45 ft-high pineapple was built in 1761 as a garden folly for the fourth Earl of Dunmore. It is now owned by the NTS. All year daily from 0930 till sunset.
Sleeping
Falkirk is the main town between Stirling and Edinburgh, and a busy shopping centre.
Close to Callander House is the excellent Hotel Cladhan - highly rated by some who've stayed before.Late Rooms Availability for Hotel Cladhan in Falkirk
There's other accommodation in Falkirk, details of which can be obtained from the Tourist Information Centre, 2-4 Glebe Street, Tel. 620244. It's open April to May daily 0930-1700, June to October daily 0930-1800, and August daily 0930-1900 (hours subject to change).
Transport
There are regular trains from Stirling, Perth, Glasgow Queen Street and Edinburgh to Falkirk Grahamston station, which is a 5-min walk from the TIC.