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 Helix Park.

Carron
Apex Grassmarket Hotel

Apex Grassmarket Hotel

4 out of 5
31-35 Grassmarket Edinburgh Scotland
The price is S$137 per night from 4 Jan to 5 Jan
S$137
4 Jan - 5 Jan, 2026
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Edinburgh. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,351 reviews)
Staff was extremely helpful!

Reviewed on 20 Dec, 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$76 per night from 11 Jan to 12 Jan
S$76
11 Jan - 12 Jan, 2026
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this spa hotel in Edinburgh. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,062 reviews)
Viajamos en Familia para conocer Edinburgo y estuvimos muy comodos en este hotel! Si bien no está en el centro, está al lado del zoo y la zona es muy tranquila. La parada de micros está en la puerta, llegan muy rapido al centro y al aeropuerto. La espera es breve. El hotel está muy bien equipado, ...

Reviewed on 18 Dec, 2025

Holiday Inn Edinburgh by IHG
Apex Waterloo Place Hotel

Apex Waterloo Place Hotel

4 out of 5
23-27 Waterloo Place Edinburgh Scotland
The price is S$154 per night from 4 Jan to 5 Jan
S$154
4 Jan - 5 Jan, 2026
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this spa hotel in Edinburgh. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,947 reviews)
Breakfast was not free, but quite good! Staff was exceptional, Anastasia at the front desk was amazingly helpful and willing to help us with activities. Amr, housekeeping was very thorough and helpful. Craig bartender was great! Loved the hotel, loved the location, loved the special touches of having ...

Reviewed on 19 Dec, 2025

Apex Waterloo Place Hotel
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.
2-bed - Sleeps 6 - Pet Friendly With Free Parking

2-bed - Sleeps 6 - Pet Friendly With Free Parking

3.5 out of 5
Falkirk Scotland
Stay at this apartment in Falkirk. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and balconies. Popular attractions Callendar House and Helix Park are located nearby.
2-bed - Sleeps 6 - Pet Friendly With Free Parking
Aparthotel Adagio Edinburgh Royal Mile

Aparthotel Adagio Edinburgh Royal Mile

4 out of 5
231 Canongate Edinburgh Scotland
Stay at this aparthotel in Edinburgh. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,356 reviews)
The apartment was very clean, modern, and cozy. The location is excellent, at the end of the Royal Mile, very close to the Waverley Station. There are restaurants, pharmacies, and grocery stores very close. The breakfast was good. Overall was a great experience, we enjoyed our stay and we would love ...

Reviewed on 15 Dec, 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 aparthotel in Edinburgh. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,091 reviews)
Great location, helpfull staff. Modern accommodation with a very comfy bed. Sofa bed needs attention as comfy as a couch other than the seat cushions constantly falling off. Excellent service and teally appreciated the room upgrade for my birthday.

Reviewed on 18 Dec, 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.