Falkirk

Travel Guide
Callendar House featuring a statue or sculpture and interior views
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 Glasgow, Edinburgh 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 Wheel. 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 center, 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 kilometers) 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 House, 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 Stirling and Dunblane 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 a stop by Macdonald Inchyra Hotel Spa while you're exploring the neighborhood.

Polmont
A "Back to the Future" moment.....

Airth

Notable for its spas, restaurants, and historic sites, Airth is a sought-after destination for many travelers visiting Falkirk. If you want to see some sights in the area, check out The Dunmore Pineapple or Fife Coastal Path.

Airth
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Slamannan

Get to know Slamannan by checking out its restaurants, spas, and golf courses. Consider a visit to nearby sights like Falkirk Wheel or Callendar House during your time in the area.

Slamannan
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Carron

Carron might not have many top sights, but The Kelpies and Falkirk Town Hall are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Carron
Apex Grassmarket Hotel
Apex Grassmarket Hotel
4 out of 5
31-35 Grassmarket, Edinburgh, Scotland
The price is CA $340 per night from Jun. 5 to Jun. 6
CA $340
CA $408 total
includes taxes & fees
Jun 5 - Jun 6
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Edinburgh. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the pool and the restaurant ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,071 reviews)
"We had a lovely one-night stay, wishing we could have stayed longer. Everyone was kind and competent. Good food in the morning. It’s right on the Grassmarket square, where there are a lot of restaurants and activities, and a short hike to the Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile. Our balcony view ..."

Reviewed on Jun. 1, 2024

Apex Grassmarket Hotel
Leonardo Royal Edinburgh Haymarket
Leonardo Royal Edinburgh Haymarket
4 out of 5
1 Morrison Link, Midlothian, Edinburgh, Scotland
The price is CA $246 per night from Jun. 23 to Jun. 24
CA $246
CA $295 total
includes taxes & fees
Jun 23 - Jun 24
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 ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,603 reviews)
Overall, great stay. Breakfast just fine.
"T’was a great stay, easy access to bus and train station. There are lot of signs of wear and tear inside the room and its toilet but what matter for us the most is the comfort of the mattress as we need for rest. Breakfast is just fine."

Reviewed on Jun. 2, 2024

Leonardo Royal Edinburgh Haymarket
Holiday Inn Edinburgh, an IHG Hotel
Holiday Inn Edinburgh, an IHG Hotel
4 out of 5
132 Corstorphine Road, Edinburgh, Scotland
The price is CA $271 per night from Jun. 16 to Jun. 17
CA $271
CA $325 total
includes taxes & fees
Jun 16 - Jun 17
Book a stay at this eco-certified hotel in Edinburgh. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,017 reviews)
"One of the nicer Holiday Inn properties we’ve stayed in with regards to lobby and breakfast. Room was comfortable and clean-ish. Price was quite high, imo but I think Edinburgh in general is pretty pricey when it comes to hotels. Parking was on site."

Reviewed on Jun. 3, 2024

Holiday Inn Edinburgh, an IHG 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.
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 breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (548 reviews)
"Very modern and spacious. Amazing location!"

Reviewed on May 31, 2024

Wilde Aparthotels, Edinburgh, Grassmarket
Aparthotel Adagio Glasgow Central
Aparthotel Adagio Glasgow Central
4 out of 5
5 DIXON STREET, Glasgow, Scotland
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Glasgow. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (557 reviews)
"Very comfortable, spacious, modern apartment, in excellent area. Polite and efficient staff. Only suggestion is for hotel to provide instructions on how to use various appliances, because for a non-European this is not very obvious."

Reviewed on Jun. 1, 2024

Aparthotel Adagio Glasgow Central
Fraser Suites Edinburgh
Fraser Suites Edinburgh
4 out of 5
Fraser Suites Edinburgh, 12 - 26 St Giles Street, Edinburgh, Scotland
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Edinburgh. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour fitness center, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,667 reviews)
"Great location! Friendly staff Clean rooms Classic place to stay walking distance to train and the Castle"

Reviewed on May 30, 2024

Fraser Suites Edinburgh
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.

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Cities near Falkirk