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
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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
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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
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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
Metro Inns Falkirk
Metro Inns Falkirk
2.5 out of 5
Bean Cross Farm Polmont, Falkirk, Scotland
The price is S$98 per night from 23 Jul to 24 Jul
S$98
23 Jul - 24 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Falkirk. Enjoy free parking, daily housekeeping, and laundry facilities. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the overall value in our ...
5.8/10 (631 reviews)
Ok for a quick stop
"Friendly staff but very tired decor. Although room has been cleaned"

Reviewed on 28 Jun, 2025

Metro Inns Falkirk
Apex Grassmarket Hotel
Apex Grassmarket Hotel
4 out of 5
31-35 Grassmarket, Edinburgh, Scotland
The price is S$336 per night from 17 Jul to 18 Jul
S$336
17 Jul - 18 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! (1,978 reviews)
"The breakfast options each morning were delicious. Highly recommend enjoying the on site Metro restaurant as well. I did not like the shower set up. The large step up into the shower and subsequent large step down were very dangerous. On a minor note, the pillows were extremely uncomfortable."

Reviewed on 10 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$248 per night from 16 Jul to 17 Jul
S$248
16 Jul - 17 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 ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,017 reviews)
Join in
"Every thing is excellent but only the shower is too slow."

Reviewed on 10 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! (2,143 reviews)
"Adequate small hotel in a great location."

Reviewed on 8 Jul, 2025

Aparthotel Adagio Edinburgh Royal Mile
Wilde Aparthotels, Edinburgh, Grassmarket
Wilde Aparthotels, Edinburgh, Grassmarket
4 out of 5
26 King's Stables Road, Edinburgh, Scotland
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Edinburgh. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (925 reviews)
"Great location we had a large comfortable room and staff were very accommodating to store our luggage."

Reviewed on 9 Jul, 2025

Wilde Aparthotels, Edinburgh, Grassmarket
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.