Falkirk

Overview

Lying south-east of Stirling in Scotland's central belt, Falkirk is famous for its engineering masterpiece and two major battles, and offers much more for visitors to enjoy.

The giant Falkirk Wheel is the world's first rotating boat lift, the centrepiece of the Millennium Link project to join up the waterways between the east and west coast. The Wheel transports boats the 115 feet between the different levels of the Union, and Forth and Clyde canals. You can ride on the wheel, and learn all about it at a visitor centre.

Falkirk is alive with history. The Antonine Wall, dating from the 2nd century, marked the northern frontier of the Roman Empire. Kinneil Estate has the best-preserved sections of the wall, while other parts are visible at Callendar Park, Polmont Hill, Watling Lodge, Tamfourhill and Roughcastle, with its complete fort.

Blackness Castle is a 15th century fortress which stands on the banks of the Firth of Forth near the peaceful village of Blackness. The moody and atmospheric castle made the perfect setting for the film version of Hamlet, starring Mel Gibson. In a real-life tragedy, the army of William Wallace fell to the English under Edward I at Falkirk in 1298 but in 1746 Bonnie Prince Charlie defeated the Hanoverians in the other battle of Falkirk.

Experience Victorian life in the exhibition 'Forbes's Falkirk' at the impressive mansion of Callendar House, which stands in attractive Callendar Park. Find out all about the area's industrial heritage at Grangemouth Museum, and look out for the unusual Dunmore Pineapple at Airth. Travel on a steam train on a seven-mile round trip along the southern shore of the Forth at Bo'ness and Kinneil Steam Railway, which boasts Scotland's largest collection of railway artefacts.