Falkirk

Travel Guide

Callendar House featuring heritage elements and château or palace
Callendar House showing interior views and a statue or sculpture
Callendar House featuring a garden
Callendar House featuring heritage elements and a castle
Falkirk

Bring the family to the world’s first rotating boat lift, walk on water and learn the rich history of a 14th-century château.

Falkirk is a small town with an ideal location beside GlasgowOpens in a new window, EdinburghOpens in a new window and the Firth of Forth. Stroll beside the canals of this old-world village and spot châteaus dotted around the picturesque countryside.

Among the town’s highlights is the Falkirk WheelOpens in a new window. Bring the kids to this fascinating site to watch the futuristic boat lift in action.

The children’s zone includes exciting activities such as walking on water inside an inflatable ball. Tour the area in style on a Segway. Rent canoes and electric boats from the visitor centre, which has information about the rotating lift. Take the kids to the playground.

Head west along a nature trail to reach nearby Rough Castle. Explore the ruins of this Roman fort dating back to A.D. 143. It is the best preserved of the 19 forts along the Antonine Wall.

Just 1 mile (1.6 kilometres) north are Bonnybridge Golf Course and Falkirk Golf Club, which have spectacular views of green hills and woods.

Make your way east to the vast Callendar Park to appreciate the wildlife and diverse vegetation. Marvel at the architecture of Callendar HouseOpens in a new window, blending French Renaissance and Georgian styles.

Learn the history of this intriguing town. With its strategic transportation position on the canals, Falkirk became an important industrial town during the 18th and 19th centuries. It specialized in the iron and steel trade.

Winters are fairly mild considering the northern latitude. Enjoy the pleasant summer temperatures with a picnic in this quaint village.

The town is between Glasgow and Edinburgh in Scotland’s Central Lowlands. Ride a 30-minute train east from the former and west from the nation’s capital to reach it. Other nearby attractions include the towns of StirlingOpens in a new window and DunblaneOpens in a new window and the villages alongside the picturesque Firth of Forth.

Falkirk retains the treasures of several eras, from ancient Roman ruins and medieval castles to a modern rotating boat lift.

Where to stay in Falkirk

Polmont

Spas and restaurants are notable features of Polmont. You might consider stopping by Macdonald Inchyra Hotel Spa while you're exploring the neighbourhood.

Polmont
Default Image

Airth

Get to know Airth by checking out its spas, restaurants and historical sites. Consider a visit to nearby sights like The Dunmore Pineapple or Fife Coastal Path during your time in the area.

Airth
Default Image

Slamannan

Notable for its restaurants, spas and golf courses, Slamannan is a sought-after destination for many travellers visiting Falkirk. If you want to see some sights in the area, check out Falkirk Wheel or Callendar House.

Slamannan
Default Image

Carron

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Carron and surrounding area, you can visit The Kelpies and Falkirk Town Hall.

Carron
Apex Waterloo Place Hotel
Apex Waterloo Place Hotel
4 out of 5
23-27 Waterloo Place, Edinburgh, Scotland
The price is S$390 per night from 27 Jul to 28 Jul
S$390
27 Jul - 28 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Edinburgh. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,735 reviews)
"Another excellent stay- hotel is friendly, very convenient for station, shops, walking around the city. Rooms spacious, spotlessly clean, and quiet even with heavy traffic around - the double glazing really works. Breakfast good."

Reviewed on 5 Jul, 2025

Apex Waterloo Place Hotel
Apex Grassmarket Hotel
Apex Grassmarket Hotel
4 out of 5
31-35 Grassmarket, Edinburgh, Scotland
The price is S$368 per night from 20 Jul to 21 Jul
S$368
20 Jul - 21 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Edinburgh. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,969 reviews)
"- Acknowledged any issues and service recovery was quick and met expectations. - Breakfast was great! - Staff, except for the guy that looks like a marvel hero with a thick eastern block accent -- he was rude. - Irian was very responsive, and we greatly appreciate his help. - Great location!"

Reviewed on 6 Jul, 2025

Apex Grassmarket Hotel
Holiday Inn Edinburgh by IHG
Holiday Inn Edinburgh by IHG
4 out of 5
132 Corstorphine Road, Edinburgh, Scotland
The price is S$250 per night from 13 Jul to 14 Jul
S$250
13 Jul - 14 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Edinburgh. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,004 reviews)
"Great updated large rooms. excellent dinner options and a large Bar area. good parking"

Reviewed on 4 Jul, 2025

Holiday Inn Edinburgh by IHG
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Central Falkirk 3 Bedroom Apartment
Central Falkirk 3 Bedroom Apartment
3 out of 5
45 Dalderse Ave, Falkirk, Scotland
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Falkirk. Enjoy free WiFi. Popular attractions Falkirk Wheel and Monster Mania are located nearby.
Central Falkirk 3 Bedroom Apartment
Aparthotel Adagio Edinburgh Royal Mile
Aparthotel Adagio Edinburgh Royal Mile
4 out of 5
231 Canongate, Edinburgh, Scotland
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Edinburgh. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,136 reviews)
"Wonderful location and very nice breakfast. Front desk staff was very friendly and helpful. Room was tidy and comfortable. Very walkable to old town, all the sights and museums, and easy walk to the bus/train as well."

Reviewed on 6 Jul, 2025

Aparthotel Adagio Edinburgh Royal Mile
Aparthotel Adagio Glasgow Central
Aparthotel Adagio Glasgow Central
4 out of 5
5 DIXON STREET, Glasgow, Scotland
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified aparthotel in Glasgow. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,115 reviews)
Lovely
"Very convenient, right in the centre. Large bathroom. A good kitchen to make breakfast or a simple meal. Comfortable beds. We were really happy with everything, only perhaps the gym could use a few mats."

Reviewed on 6 Jul, 2025

Aparthotel Adagio Glasgow Central
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Falkirk

3.9
Guest rating
5 - Excellent
6
5 - Excellent 18%
4 - Good
20
4 - Good 59%
3 - Okay
8
3 - Okay 24%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

The Falkirk Wheel and the Kelpies are fabulous.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Seemed a pleasant town.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

Falkirk has the jellies and the wheel so interesting Access to Edinburgh

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

Only passed through on our LEJOG cycle so not much to comment on.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Met many helpful and pleasant people Town unfortunately quite run down spent time in Stirling

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

We have been before and loved the Kelpies and Falkirk Wheel. Didnt go on this visit. We went ti Callendar House and Blackness Castle.