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WELCOME TO FALKIRK

Stay & Explore

Ready to see a different side of Scotland? Find world-famous attractions alongside quirky hidden gems, an ancient heritage combined with beautiful parks and award-winning trails. There are so many things to do in Falkirk. We can’t wait to show you around!   

About The Falkirk Area

From iconic modern wonders to ancient historical landmarks, quirky hidden gems to world-famous, award-winning attractions, Falkirk and the surrounding area is bursting with brilliant contrast.

Plan Your Visit

Whether you’re here for a night or two or just popping by for a visit, Falkirk has something for everyone.  W ith so many things to see and do, here are some ideas to help you find your own path.

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• The Falkirk Area

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Visit Falkirk: Autumnal Adventures and Winter Wonders

As the nights draw in, embrace the magic of autumn and winter in the Falkirk area. Whether you’re looking for a cosy, relaxing break or a brand-new experience, Falkirk offers a rich blend of beautiful scenery, fascinating history and thrilling activities. With so much to see and do, stay a few days to enjoy the area’s seasonal charm and discover why Falkirk is the perfect destination for your next escape this autumn and winter.

Stay Updated

One visit to Falkirk isn’t enough! Only a short distance from Edinburgh and Glasgow and at the heart of Scotland’s motorway and rail network s , we’re easy to get to and easy to get around. Keep up with the latest things to do in our area and get planning your next trip.  

6 of the best family cycling trails in the Falkirk Area

• Falkirk , Scotland , Whisky

A Rising Star in Scotland’s Whisky Landscape

Falkirk – a pivotal place in scotland’s history, 10 things to do with your kids in falkirk this summer holiday, top ice cream parlours in the falkirk area, experience kinneil house and estate: guided tours and more, upcoming events.

There’s always something going on in Falkirk. W e’ve welcomed N ational and International sporting events, global rock stars and some of Scotland and the UK ’s favourite entertainers . Plus, our lively local venues offer a range of fantastic events all year round . Take a look at what’s coming up.  

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• Central & West Scotland

Falkirk is a large town filled with interesting, historical, and exciting destinations for local and international visitors. Since it’s located between Edinburgh and Glasgow in the Forth Valley and close to the historic county of Stirling , you can pack many of the things to do in Falkirk into a day or two without needing to travel hundreds of miles.

T here are 27 trains a day between the Falkirk and the greater Stirling region. Tickets are available online on the Cross Country Trains or The Train Line website . You can even take a steam train too!

Like in many of Scotland’s fine towns and villages, there are countless things to do in the Falkirk district, including visiting outstanding attractions, landmarks, and events. There are also plenty of brand and non-brand retail stores that sell clothing, homeware, and everything you can think of.

14 Things to do in Falkirk

There are so many fun things to do in Falkirk, which adds to the town’s popularity. There is also a visitor centre, the Scottish Segway Centre if you are looking for more information on the history of the Falkirk district and how to navigate the town or to book day trips and tour services.

Whether you want to experience Falkirk with your children or have a dating day with your loved one, based on your preferences, there is something for everyone out and about in the Falkirk area.

Oh, and don’t forget about the entire Falkirk town centre for shopping. When you get to the High Street in Falkirk between Glasgow and Edinburgh, you will find plenty of cafés, bistros, and restaurants to enjoy that sell a wide range of incredible food.

Other than shopping in the town centre High Street or visiting one of many beautiful parks, if you are in search of something fun to do, then look no further. Apart from local attractions in the Falkirk area, there are many more activities, including E-biking, sky-high trampolining, crazy golf playing Divergent games in escape rooms, and the FTH theatre to experience some drama.

To learn more about things to do in Falkirk, or for future day trip bookings in the Falkirk district and surrounding area, you can look for information on our website or visit the town centre website. If your ideal date is to visit Falkirk in October, just remember that it is a transitional month between a cool summer and a wet winter.

While some places, like castle ruins or speckled churches, don’t require a booking, places like the Callendar house do. Be sure to check whether bookings at any places that pique your interest, such as landmarks, outdoor attractions, or events, require bookings.

The Kelpies & The Helix

The Helix Park in the Falkirk area was designed as a project to improve connections between 16 communities within the Falkirk council in Scotland.

The Helix is home to the Kelpies—two mythical creatures that look like horses with their heads above the ground and light up at night. Standing 30 metres tall in Falkirk and each weighing over 300 tonnes, these are the world’s largest equine sculptures and one of the biggest tourist attractions within the Falkirk area.

The Kelpies cover more than 350 hectares of space between Falkirk district and Grangemouth. In the Helix, you will find the Plaza Cafe and its natural surroundings, including a woodland, lagoon, and wetlands. There is also an Adventure Zone play area for children, pathways that span over miles, and incredible scenery.

Falkirk Wheel and Antonine Wall

If you are looking for something different, then you can check out the Falkirk Wheel! Its the world’s first and only rotating boat lift and opened in 2002 with a plan to reintroduce canals in Central Scotland. In recent years, the Falkirk wheel has successfully connected the two canals for the first time since the 1930s and, by doing so, has also connected Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Here, you will also find the Antonine Wall in Tamfourhill, Central Scotland. It is a rotating boat that connects two scenic canals, the Forth and Clyde Canal and the Union Canal. This was done when a 21st-century landmark structure was built and was resurrected to reconnect the canals in the early 2000s – Definitely a must-see attraction when visiting the Falkirk district.

Falkirk Stadium

If you are a Scot, then you probably have a big interest in football. And, what better way to celebrate the incredible sport than at one of the most popular attractions in all of Falkirk? You can visit the Falkirk stadium, which was built in 2004 if you are looking to spend the day watching football and other events with friends and family.

The Falkirk stadium is the home ground of a few local clubs, such as the Scottish League One club Falkirk, East Stirlingshire, and the Lowland Football League. The Falkirk stadium is among some of the biggest landmarks in the town of Falkirk.

Callendar House

Have you ever heard about Callendar House? If you live in or visit Scotland, there’s no doubt that you have to take the opportunity to explore the history, especially the Falkirk area. As one of the many things to do in Falkirk, when you visit the Callendar House, you can expect a 6-century massive castle-looking house, the type you would think to find in a fairytale book.

The Callendar House’s location is on the grounds of Callendar Park in Falkirk, a mansion that has seen wars, an industrial revolution, and many rebellions. It has accommodated historical figures, with the most popular being Mary, Queen of Scots.

Visiting the Callendar House mansion, you can expect costume interpreters who bring some of Scotland’s history to life, listen to stories, and enjoy authentic Georgian food.

Callendar Estates

If you live in a city or bustling town, then you can escape from a scenic outdoor setting to a milk farm in the countryside, which is still located close to the Falkirk district town centre.

At Callendar Estate you can enjoy many outdoor activities, such as cycling, walking, riding, or even a Segway experience. There are many Falkirk tours to discover, all that is covered in grounds that carry a part of Scotland’s rich history in the United Kingdom.

You can plan a family-friendly outing to Callendar Estate in Falkirk, where you will also find a lovely café, milk barn, and indoor play area for children.

Xtreme Karting Falkirk

Looking for a fun activity? Whether you are an adult or are looking for something adventurous for the kids (between 10 – 15 years old), Xtreme Karting is perfect for you!

This is just one place in the Falkirk district where you can experience motorsport with friends or family. It is the very first karting centre in the Falkirk area, but also all of Scotland. It has a 5-star rating and is a thrilling yet safe activity for most of the family.

Apart from the 30,000 sq ft kart track in the Falkirk area, which features a bridge/ underpass section, sweeping corners, and hairpin bends, there is a designer lounge area that has large windows for you to view the track. You can also view it from the side of the track. Both of these areas are also equipped with race timing displays that allow you to keep up with the action as it happens in real time.

Muiravonside Country Park – Falkirk Council

This country park is set on the river banks of the Avon River in the Falkirk district in the UK and is one of the top attractions in Falkirk. The site has 70 hectares filled with picturesque gardens, woodlands, and parkland, all of which once formed the Muiravonside Estate. Major features on the parks’ grounds are also connected by a path network.

Exploring the woodlands in the Falkirk district, you can expect a big variety of trees, such as tall oak, hazel, ash, birch, and yew. There are also shrubs, including bluebell, primrose, cuckoo-pint, and dog’s mercury. Apart from the greenery, you can expect to see some of Scotland’s beloved birds, like the green woodpecker, nuthatch, and flycatcher.

Many people visit the park regularly to experience wide-open spaces and scenic walks. There is also a perfectly laid-out footpath that leads to the Union Canal.

Kinneil House and Estate

The Kinneil House offers visitors an intimate knowledge of over 2000 years of Scottish history, from the Romans up until the Industrial Revolution. As the seat of power for the prominent Hamilton family, the Kinneil Estate is synonymous with power and high status.

Taking a guided tour through the property sheds light on some pivotal moments in Scottish history, including when James Watts created the first version of the steam engine in the basement of the home! While guided tours are limited, wandering the 300-year-old furnishings of the House is one of the most popular experiences in Falkirk.

If you weren’t able to book a guided tour, don’t worry! You can visit the Kinneil Museum instead. Come and learn about the great outdoors of the Bo’ness area and the Kinneil Railway.

The Pineapple

The Pineapple, also known as the Dunmore Pineapple , is a very popular place to explore in England.

The property is historic and includes a mansion and two large gardens . The wall used for the garden’s surrounding area had a purpose from the 18th century to create a microclimate against the cold in the Falkirk district for planting fruit and vegetables.

Enjoy a walk or picnic with the family, with the biggest covering 6 acres. In the building, there is also a hot house in the wall built in 1761and you can expect a magnificent historical building with unique architectural styles.

Dollar Park

Dollar Park is a beautiful parkland in an area surrounding the Falkirk district in the United Kingdom with a lot of horticultural attractions and leisure activities.

Entering the north part of the park in Falkirk, you can expect to find active recreational activities, a tennis court, an 18-hole putting area, and a playground for kids. There are also pathways, a range of mature trees, and a sculpture of Sheila McKechnie, an OBE, Scottish trade unionist, housing campaigner, and consumer activist.

Dollar Park is ideal if you want to plan an educational visit and experience monthly market stalls and civil partnership ceremonies. The parks are also used for wedding services.

Tappoch Broch & Torwood Castle

If you are adventurous and seek mysterious land in Falkirk, there is a forest, Tappoch Broch, approximately 2 miles northeast of the town. Within the forest, you will find Torwood Castle, a ruined L-shaped castle from the 16th century.

Although the risk level of entering the Falkirk castle is considered low, the castle has been neglected for a very long time. The estimated year the castle was built in Falkirk is 1566, which we all know was a rather interesting time in the history of Scotland and contains fascinating Roman history.

Explore the John Muir Way

There’s no better way to explore Falkirk and Scotland than a hiking trip from west to east on the John Muir Way. This 134-mile-long hiking path snakes from Helensburgh on the western coast of Scotland to Dunbar on the eastern coast. Falkirk sits directly in the middle of the route, which means some of you may be reading this as you pass through (Hi, there!).

The Way has a range of great views that show off the Lowlands and Highlands of Scotland, as well as various cycling trails throughout (keep an eye out for information boards along the route that direct you).

The trail is not for the faint of heart and takes multiple day trips to complete, but it is one of the most fun Falkirk attractions. If you don’t want to commit to the full 134 miles, you can always take a shorter segment like Falkirk to Linlithgow (8.5 miles) or Kilsyth to Falkirk (13.8 miles) instead.

Falkirk Old Parish Speckled Church

In the Falkirk area, there is an old church known as the Old Parish Speckled Church or Falkirk Trinity Church, which is a congregation of the church of Scotland. History suggests that the church is one of the oldest landmarks in Falkirk, dating back as far as the 7th century.

Keeping some of its original charm and steeple, the church site was redone and rebuilt in the 19th century. Today, the church is recognized as a listed building in Falkirk. As it contains much of the Falkirk district’s history, the old church right in the centre of the town is certainly worth the visit.

Zetland Park

There are many exquisite parks in the Falkirk district, yet there’s something about Zetland Park that’s different. If you enjoy visiting parks around town, then Zetland Park is a must for the whole family.

Apart from being scenic, much like a green oasis, the park also has an interesting story behind it and was gifted to the people of Grangemouth in 1880 by the Earl of Zetland. Today, it is recognized as the perfect place for escaping the busy town or city life and is ideal if you want to take a stroll or have a picnic outdoors in nature.

Other Things To Do in Central & West Scotland

• Things to do in Balmaha
• Things to do in Biggar
• Things to do in Drymen
• Things to do in Dunblane
• Things to do in Grangemouth
• Things to do in Lochearnhead
• Things to do in Loch Lomond
• Things to do in Stirling

Graham Grieve

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12 Top-Rated Things to Do in Falkirk

Written by Brad Lane Updated Mar 23, 2023

Falkirk, in the Central Lowlands of Scotland, is a tourist-friendly city with a laid-back appeal, beautiful scenery, and a wealth of things to do. It's home to two popular Scotland attractions : the Falkirk Wheel and The Helix: Home of the Kelpies. These two larger-than-life attractions are worth the travel alone.

But it's much more than giant Clydesdale horses and impressive engineering in Falkirk. The city has a lively and historic town center, abuzz with shops, restaurants, and plenty of people-watching opportunities. Falkirk also lends easy access to its brilliant scenery, with plenty of parklands and places to play outside.

Falkirk is often a stop on a more extensive Scotland journey . The John Muir Way and Forth & Clyde Canal towpath run through the city on their long journeys across Central Scotland. If you're traveling on either of these long-distance paths, book some time in Falkirk to recharge and take in the sights.

Enjoy your visit with our list of top attractions and things to do in Falkirk.

Gawk at The Kelpies at The Helix

Appreciate the engineering of the falkirk wheel, spend the day at callendar park & callendar house, wander around falkirk town centre, enjoy the gardens at dollar park, take a day trip to the dunmore pineapple, take a walk on the john muir way, catch a game at falkirk stadium, visit muiravonside country park, ride a bicycle on the forth & clyde canal towpath, dive into the history of blackness castle, visit stirling, map of things to do in falkirk, falkirk - climate chart.

The Helix is a famous public park in Falkirk and home to the region's most outstanding attractions. The centerpiece of this 350-hectare park is undeniably The Kelpies — dual Clydesdale sculptures standing 100 feet tall . These magnificent works of art stand out on the horizon for miles and draw worldwide visitors.

Water surrounds the sculptures, paying homage to their aquatic mythology. Visitors can pay a fee for a guided tour that navigates inside the massive sculptures. Green space, walking trails, and The Kelpies Visitor Center are also nearby, offering plenty of places to sit and admire the scenery.

The Kelpies are free to enjoy every day of the year and typically light up at night up until an hour after dusk. The on-site visitor center has more limited hours, with services like a café, gift shop, and exhibition area.

Don't limit a visit to The Helix only to The Kelpies. This outstanding public park has tons to explore. Among the acreage are a popular adventure play park and water fountains. It's also home to many beautiful landscapes, including wetlands, woodlands, and a lagoon.

The Falkirk Wheel is a beautiful demonstration of human engineering. It's touted as the world's first rotating boat lift and is a true spectacle of modern Scottish innovation.

The wheel connects the Forth and Clyde Canal and the Union Canal with a 115-foot rotation into the sky . It's simply fun to witness this mechanism at work, and interested visitors can opt for a boat ride to experience it firsthand.

Boat rides on the Falkirk Wheel take place throughout the day. Tours last approximately 50 minutes and include two trips on the wheel, one going up and one going down. Narration along the way explains the history and science behind the wheel. Advanced tickets are recommended for this popular attraction.

A boat ride is not required to enjoy the Falkirk Wheel. Simply watching the rotation from the sidelines is also enjoyable. The area surrounding the Falkirk Wheel also has several family attractions, including mini-golf, archery, and paddleboat rentals, and the visitor center at the Falkirk Wheel offers hot food items and a café.

Callendar House is a magnificent 14th-century French chateau-style mansion . It's also the centerpiece feature of the 140-acre Callendar Park in Falkirk. This wonderful home and public park radiates its history and provides several visitor attractions.

It's free to enter the Callendar House for a self-guided sightseeing tour. Within, permanent displays cover the history of the home and the surrounding region, including insight into its Roman occupation as early as the 11th century. Other highlights of the interior include a restored 1825 kitchen.

Calendar Park is worth a visit without ever stepping into the house. It contains a large Roman-themed playground area and a spiderwebbing network of woodland trails .

Families and visitors often use this green space for picnics, dog walking, and other sunny-weather activities.

No trip to Falkirk is complete without a visit to its bustling town center. Shops, cafés, and full-service restaurants line this pedestrian part of town , inviting all sorts of window shopping and wandering around. And with restaurants catering to every meal throughout the day, it's a great place to visit for a bite to eat.

The Howgate Shopping Centre is the most concentrated shopping area in the region. This shopping mall has several local and national shops to peruse, offering everything from fashion to housewares and beauty boutiques. This indoor shopping area is open seven days a week.

Falkirk Town Centre is also a central spot for history buffs. The entire town center reflects the town's legacy dating back hundreds of years. The best way to experience this history is to follow the Falkirk Town Heritage Trail . This self-guided tour starts at the historic Falkirk Steeple, dating back to 1814, and includes 25 other points of interest.

Dollar Park is a beautifully landscaped space close to the town center. It has several family-friendly attractions, including a broad collection of flowers blooming throughout the year. Alongside the ample gardens, the park also features a playground area, open green space , and a beautiful two-story Victorian mansion .

The Victorian mansion is home to Arnotdale Cafe, which is open seven days a week. Here, enjoy lunch, tea, and other light fare before or after exploring the park. Outside the Arnotdale House is the entrance to the park's beautiful Walled Garden , home to several eye-catching elements.

The park offers several attractions only during the summer holiday (April - September). This collection includes tennis courts and an 18-hole putting green. A bouncy castle, extremely popular with young children, is also available during this summer season.

The Dunmore Pineapple is a unique 18th-century summer home built by the Earl of Dunmore. Its standout feature is an immense stone pineapple towering above the building , representing one of the most exotic fruits once found in Scotland. Today, visitors can visit and photograph the Dunmore Pineapple and tour the beautiful woodland grounds.

The Dunmore Pineapple is accessible with an approximate eight-mile drive north of Falkirk town center. Downloading directions before heading out helps in navigating the rural setting. Expect potholes and other slow-going traffic conditions when visiting.

It doesn't take much time to explore and photograph The Dunmore Pineapple. Bring some walking shoes to tour the lovely estate — and surrounding woodlands to extend the trip. Visitors can also plan an overnight trip by booking accommodations at The Pineapple through the National Trust for Scotland.

John Muir Way is one of Scotland's Great Trails and a popular route for long-distance cycling and walking. The route spans 215 kilometers (133 miles) across Central Scotland from coast to coast. The western terminus of John Muir Way is in Helensburgh, near Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park. The eastern terminus is in Dunbar, the birthplace of John Muir.

The middle of John Muir Way passes right through Falkirk's town center and connects with other significant tourist attractions, including the Falkirk Wheel and Callendar House. Visitors to Falkirk often enjoy this section of the John Muir Way as a pleasant day hike or bicycle ride. Falkirk is also a popular place to spend a night or two for those traveling the entire route.

John Muir Way also offers excellent avenues for exploring away from town. The section heading east from Falkirk extends 13.6 kilometers (8.5 miles) to Linlithgow and passes by attractions like Muiravonside Country Park and the Avon Aquaduct . Alternatively, the route spans 20.8 kilometers (13 miles) west to Kilsyth. Colzium Estate and Rough Castle offer places to pull over along this section.

Falkirk Stadium is home to the Falkirk Football Club , founded in 1876. The club competes with the Scottish Professional Football League in Scottish League One. The regular season spans from October through April . If visiting during this time, consider buying some tickets and participating in the undeniably fun and electric atmosphere.

Falkirk Stadium is also home to several other community events. This lineup includes disco nights, Christmas parties, and afternoon teas. Stadium tours are also available throughout the football season.

Muiravonside is Falkirk's only country park and offers a fantastic place to spend the day outside. It's located approximately seven miles southeast of town and encompasses over 170 acres of woodlands and open green space.

Among its many attractions are a working demonstration farm , a play park, and a winding network of nature trails .

Newparks Farm , located within Muiravonside, has several resident animals to meet. These farm animals include highland cattle, horses, donkeys, and several species of pigs. Visitors have the chance to meet these farm animals and tour their living quarters in restored farmstead buildings.

Walking and cycling are also popular within the park. The River Avon Heritage Trail tours the entire parkland, offering several side trips for exploring the countryside. John Muir Way also travels next to the park, connecting to the town center with a moderate bike ride.

Falkirk is home to several walking and bicycling trails that quickly occupy an entire day. Not only do these pedestrian routes provide an enjoyable form of exercise, but they also offer direct connections to the city's best attractions.

One of the top routes to follow is the Forth & Clyde Canal towpath, which connects the Falkirk Wheel and The Kelpies .

The Forth & Clyde Canal towpath is bicycle and pedestrian-friendly. The section in Falkirk is only a small segment of the larger 106-kilometer (65-mile) towpath, which also includes the Union Canal towpath. This larger route spans Edinburgh and Glasgow and is a viable long-distance route for bicyclists looking to travel between Scotland's two largest cities.

Blackness Castle offers an easy and exciting day trip from Falkirk, accessible with a 14-mile drive from town .

The castle has a rich history. It was first built as a royal residence for the powerful Crichtons family in the 15th century. Its royal residency didn't last long, as the castle soon became home to a garrison fortress, a prison, and an armory.

Visitors experience this history immediately upon viewing the castle next to the sea, sometimes referred to as the " Ship that never Sailed " due to its boat-like appearance.

With paid admission, tourists tour the grounds and the castle, where several information plaques delve deeper into its centuries-long legacy.

Stirling is a beautiful city in central Scotland, accessible with a short drive or train ride from Falkirk. The city has several attractions, including one of Scotland's largest castles, Stirling Castle . This impressive historical monument dates as far back as the 14th century and is worth visiting Stirling on its own.

Other things to do in Stirling include visiting the National Wallace Monument , touring the Stirling Old Town Jail , and wandering the bustling town center. The city is also home to historic churches and several historical monuments, including Stirling Old Bridge , home to the Battle of Stirling Bridge in 1297.

Getting to Stirling from Falkirk is easy. It's approximately a 12-mile drive that takes less than 30 minutes. Alternatively, ScotRail offers a direct journey for those looking for easy travel along the tracks. This proximity makes for easy day trips without booking a place to stay the night.

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The world's one and only rotating boat lift. A marvel of engineering and Scottish Canals' flagship destination, The Falkirk Wheel. Connecting the Forth & Clyde Canal with the Union Canal in a half-turn that takes only five minutes!

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Take a look at all the things you can do at The Falkirk Wheel

Further information

Opening hours.

The Falkirk Wheel turns periodically throughout the day, all year long.

* 60 years+, students and Blue Light card holders (not valid June - September). Tickets are required for every passenger boarding a boat trip.

Falkirk Wheel Playpark: We're sorry to say that the Falkirk Wheel land playpark is currently closed until further notice.

About The Falkirk Wheel

The world’s only rotating boat lift, The Falkirk Wheel links the Forth & Clyde Canal to the Union Canal 35 metres above, allowing vessels to sail through the sky thanks to a unique fusion of art and engineering – and the same power it would take to boil eight kettles.

Transforming the contaminated site of a former tar works, The Falkirk Wheel opened in 2002 and replaced a flight of 11 locks that once stepped the Union Canal down to the level of the Forth & Clyde, more than 100 feet below. Whereas weary travellers once had a day’s heavy work opening and closing 44 lock gates to complete the journey between the two canals, The Falkirk Wheel allows vessels to transit between the two waterways in just a few minutes.

Now one of Scotland’s busiest tourist attractions, The Falkirk Wheel attracts around 500,000 visitors each year. The Wheel has transformed Falkirk into a key tourism destination, with visitors traveling from all over the world to marvel at the working sculpture which combines modern engineering and technology with ancient principles set out by Archimedes more than 2000 years ago.

When one of the structure’s gondolas is lowered, the opposite one rises, keeping the vast, 1800 tonne boat lift in perfect balance as it carries canal barges 35 metres into the air in a matter of minutes. Incredibly, the structure uses just 1.5kWh for each rotation.

Motorhomes at The Falkirk Wheel

Plan your overnight stay at the world's only rotating boat lift and experience the spectacle of The Wheel's light show at night.

Staying with us

Host an event

We have three commercial spaces available to hire for meetings and events. You could even hire the entire Visitor Centre!

Click here to learn more

Sustainability spotlight

Solar Power

In May 2023 our solar panels provided us with 9% of the energy we used - a whopping 3,743 kWh!

Green Tourism

We're proud to have been awarded the Gold standard in Green Tourism.

Sustainability

We're working hard to bring the choice of as many eco-friendly, sustainable and locally-sourced products to our gift shop as we can.

Useful information

Frequently asked questions about visiting The Falkirk Wheel.

Accessibility

Level access.

• There is level access the full the way around our main site and inside the Visitor Centre from our drop-off area, which also has a limited number of blue badge parking spaces.
• We have one disabled toilet facility inside the Visitor Centre, located next to the gift shop desk. Please ask one of our staff if you have difficulty finding anything.

The Falkirk Wheel site is fully accessible for visitors with mobility problems and is wheelchair friendly. We have limited Blue Badge parking spaces directly outside the Visitor Centre.

Facilities on-site can be used with ease, and a wheelchair or mobility scooter can also be taken onboard the boat trip (please mention this when booking so we can reduce capacity slightly on-board to allow for a chair).

Boat trip tickets for disabled customers are £14.50, however if accompanied by a carer then the carer goes free. We have concession rates for our young at heart visitors, so boat trip tickets for over 60s are £12.80.

Do I need to pre-book a boat trip?

While we regularly have ticket availability on the day, we strongly recommend booking any tickets in advance to avoid disappointment. We welcome a lot of touring coach parties who regularly fill up our boat trips - our boats only have limited capacity, and we've only got the one Wheel!

Dogs are allowed on-site and in our Visitor Centre, but should be kept on leads at all times. Dogs are allowed to sit at the high tables, but for hygiene reasons only assistance dogs are permitted in the café. We have water bowls for dogs at various points around the site.

Well behaved pooches are permitted onboard our boat trips, however the experience can be quite overwhelming for those of a nervous disposition, so we advise only confident (and continent) doggies board.

What times are the boat trips?

During the summer we usually operate a 10-boat schedule daily, with departures at*:

You can view available slots on our departures schedule by clicking here .

* Due to operational demands it may be necessary for us to reduce our boat schedule at short notice.

Missing booking confirmations

If you have booked one of our boat trips but are missing your email confirmation please check your spam/junk folders. If you still can't find your confirmation please email the team at [email protected] .

How long does the boat trip take?

Our boat trips take approximately 1 hour, depending on traffic on the waterways.

Food, drink and gift shop

Our cafe and gift shop are always open during opening hours.

We also have a number of food outlets that are open during the summer months* that serve everything from ice cream and pizzas to chilli chips and hot dogs, as well as our famous mac 'n' cheese, toasties and seasonal food offerings.

* Subject to availability.

The Falkirk Wheel has a visitor centre that provides information about the history, operation, and significance of the wheel. 

The Falkirk Wheel offers three spaces for venue hire – Blueprint Room , Wheel Room , Visitor Centre .

How do I book a free carer's ticket?

There is an option to select a carer's ticket when booking here . Please bring proof of your carer status to present on arrival.

Can I book by phone?

We're unable to accept any bookings by telephone. You can book activities and boat trips online by clicking here , or by purchasing on the day (subject to availability).

Can I cancel or amend my boat trip booking?

We are unable to accept any cancellations or amendments to pre-booked boat trips 48 hours before the scheduled time of departure. Our team will endeavour to make amendments to bookings outwith the 48-hour period, however we cannot guarantee any requested changes. Cancellations before 48-hours will be refunded in full.

To make an amendment or cancel your boat trip please email [email protected] with your booking details.

Booking with an ASVA pass

We always look to welcome our ASVA partners whenever we can. If you're in possession of an ASVA pass please email [email protected] to reserve a booking. Valid ASVA passes must be presented upon arrival, 

Do you sell gift vouchers?

Gift vouchers can only currently be purchased in-person from our Visitor Centre and can be redeemed for boat trips only.

How do I book a group on a boat trip?

Groups of more than 15 are entitled to a discounted group rate. Please email [email protected] to enquire.

What happens if I miss my boat trip?

We always recommend being in the Visitor Centre at least 10 minutes before your scheduled time of departure. If for any reason you are late for your booking our team may look to rebook you on a later sailing, however if there is no availability we are unable to refund any missed bookings.

Is motorhome parking availabile?

Yes! We love having our motorhoming friends over to stay. Overnight parking is subject to availability and is £15 per vehicle, per night. We have an elsan point as well as toilets, showers and washing and drying facilities.

Access to these additional facilities can be secured with a refundable £20 cash deposit.

Please check in at the Visitor Centre during opening times upon arrival if you're wishing to stay at The Falkirk Wheel.

0300 373 0868

The Falkirk Wheel Lime Road Falkirk FK1 4RS

[email protected]

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Falkirk , Travel Guides

Falkirk travel guide: 10+ things to do in falkirk.

The Falkirk area is a haven for nature lovers and history buffs, a centre for Scottish engineering and an urban oasis surrounded by canals, parks and public art. Find out how to explore this bustling town in central Scotland sustainably with this guide for some of my favourite things to do in Falkirk.

This post contains affiliate links from which I may make a commission. Find out more here . All opinions are my own.

This post was commissioned by Visit Falkirk .

Falkirk was once the centre of Scotland’s industrial revolution. While Glasgow built ships that roamed the seas of the world, Falkirk led the country’s iron and steel production.

However, when the market for these heavy industries collapsed and factories like the Carron Ironworks closed in the late 20th century, Falkirk – like so many other industrial towns in Britain – had to reinvent itself.

And so, Falkirk went forth and created new green spaces, like the Helix Park, making the most of its existing infrastructure along the canals that pass through the town. It created historic trails and bike paths, perfect to explore the best of Falkirk, its history and heritage.

In this guide, we follow some of these trails to dive into some of the fantastic attractions and places to visit in Falkirk. Read on for:

• My top 10 things to do in Falkirk ,
• Sustainable ways of getting around Falkirk,
• Ideas for extending your trip to the historic Forth Valley and more places to visit in the area,
• And a wee travel guide with suggestions for places to stay .

10 Things to do in Falkirk

Falkirk town centre.

Falkirk’s town centre is small but eye-catching. You can just wander and explore, or follow the Falkirk Town Heritage Trail which connects interesting historic sites, such as the Old Market Place with its beautifully restored Steeple, the Old Parish Church and the original location of Barr’s company, who make Scotland’s most famous soft drink, Irn Bru.

Some of my favourite stops on the trail are the charming lanes and back streets, like Wooer Street. They were once bustling with market stalls and businesses – and still are some of the most picturesque places in Falkirk.

There are two different trails and you can download the walking route & additional info here .

Falkirk Audio Tours with Falkirk Explored

Falkirk Explored is an interactive app with walking and cycling trails around Falkirk and the wider area. The app features lots of information about suggested stops on the trails, as well as detailed maps. You can download each trail to use offline which makes them the perfect companion for a day trip to Falkirk.

The audio guides are one of my favourite features on the app. I used the audio clips from the Falkirk Town Centre Trail to learn more about the buildings I saw around town.

Eat at Behind the Wall

There are many great places to eat in Falkirk. Many of them accept the Falkirk Gift Card , which is valid in businesses across the town – shops, restaurants, pubs, beauty salons and more.

It’s quite easy to find vegan options in Falkirk too. I ate at Behind the Wall , a relaxed and welcoming bar and restaurant on Melville Street. They have several vegan options on the menu and the staff is just the loveliest!

Paying with the Falkirk Gift Card was super easy – it would make a great gift!

Find more places to eat & drink in Falkirk and beyond here .

You might also like: How to travel Scotland as a vegan

Hire a Forth Bike

Please note, that unfortunately, Forth Bike has closed unexpectedly. (December 2023)

Falkirk is very easy to get to without a car, but instead of navigating local buses to get around between attractions, why not hire an e-bike and explore on two wheels?

Forth Bike is a bike-sharing scheme with electric bike stations all over Falkirk, Clackmannanshire and Stirling. You can check out an e-bike from any of the docking stations and use it to get around Falkirk & co with ease.

All you need to do is download the Forth Bike app, create an account and chose a subscription. A “Pay per Ride Pass” is available too and probably the best option for visitors. The first 30 minutes of each ride costs £2.40 and you’ll be charged £0.08 per additional minute. You can keep the bike for up to 10 hours, but it’s more practical to make use of the many docking stations around Falkirk.

I picked up an e-bike and followed the Helix Around Town Trail with the practical route card from Sustrans Scotland which allows you to tick off many of these things to in Falkirk. There is a Forth Bike docking station on High Street.

Personally, I love e-bikes because they make cycling more fun, without having to be a hardcore cyclist. I even used an e-bike to go on a multi-day cycling journey on the Scottish west coast.

Read about my cycling trip on the Caledonia Way here!

Explore the Canals

Falkirk lies at the intersection of two of Scotland’s most important canals – the Union Canal, which runs from Edinburgh to Falkirk, and the Forth & Clyde Canal, which connects the Firth of Clyde on the west coast and the Firth of Forth on the east coast.

Back in the day, these canals were an essential lifeline for Scotland and allowed boat traffic to cross the country from coast to coast instead of sailing all the way around the north coast. They were used to transport goods and service heavy industries, but this stopped abruptly with the advent of the railway lines. Scotland’s canals fell into disrepair, but luckily they have since been restored to their former glory.

Nowadays these waterways are mostly used for canal cruises and pleasure boat trips. There are shared paths for walking and cycling, and new attractions such as the Falkirk Wheel and the Kelpies are turning the canals into real eye-catchers.

A Boat Trip on the Falkirk Wheel

The Falkirk Wheel is the world’s first and only rotating boat lift. It connects the Union Canal and the Forth and Clyde Canal and lifts boats by a height of 24 metres. Instead of a 6-hour journey through 11 locks, this journey now only takes about 20 minutes. At the top, boats have to clear two locks to reach the Union Canal, overcoming a total height difference of 35 metres.

There are two main ways to experience the Falkirk Wheel in all its glory. You can stand at the side and watch the rotating boat lift in action. This is a great way to get a sense for the almost impossible task the engineers had to pull off to make this work – of course it had never been done before.

But arguably the more hands-on experience is to ride the Falkirk Wheel in a boat. There are two trips an hour. Your skipper will tell you the story of the Falkirk Wheel and point out some landmarks on the way up, and take you a short section on the aqueduct towards the Union Canal before returning. The view from the top of the Wheel is magnificent and on a clear day you can see all the way to Fife.

There is a Forth Bike docking station near the Falkirk Wheel visitor centre.

A ride on the Falkirk Wheel is an absolute bucket list item for many – here are a few more Scottish places to add to your bucket list !

The Helix Park was developed to create an urban green space that connects local communities in Falkirk and beyond. At its core, the park is an initiative to improve the quality of life in this former industrial region of Scotland, and provide recreational space for its inhabitants.

The path network in the park stretches over 27 kilometres and features several public art projects, such as the Love & Kisses sculpture and of course, the famous Kelpies.

Explore more of the park on the Helix Loop cycling trail .

Tour the Kelpies

The Kelpies are possibly the best-known landmark in Falkirk. These two giant sculptures of horse heads are 30 metres tall and tower above a basin by the Forth and Clyde Canal. They were designed by Andy Scott and made from 600 tons of steel (300 tons each).

The Kelpies are mythological creatures that take on the shape of beautiful horses to lure humans into their underwater lair. However, the horses are also a monument to the majestic Clydesdale Horses that once served to pull heavy barges along the canals.

Anyone can see the Kelpies from the outside, but on a guided tour you actually get to step inside one of the sculptures and hear more stories about their construction from a local guide. It’s a unique experience and one of my new favourite things to do in Falkirk!

There is a Forth Bike docking station at the Kelpies car park.

Callendar House & Woods

Callendar House has been the seat of the rulers of Falkirk and the wider area for a thousand years. It’s located on the edge of the Roman Antonine Wall (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), making it a great place to visit multiple historic sites in Falkirk at once.

Today’s Callendar House was first built for the Thanes of Callendar in the 14th century. Its later owners, the Forbes family, extended in the style of a French chateau during the 19th century, adding side wings, turrets and a beautiful Georgian kitchen which is still in use today.

It’s free to visit Callendar House. There are several galleries with permanent exhibition about the history of the house and Falkirk, and temporary art installations. One of the highlights at Callendar House is a visit to the Georgian Kitchen where guides dressed in period costumes will tell you more about the historic kitchen appliances and utensils used in the 19th century.

Callendar House is surrounded by Callendar Woods, a sprawling park with landscaped ponds, playgrounds and serene woodlands. There is a Forth Bike docking station near the Callendar Park Play Area , but also a locked bike shed at Callendar House, if you’d rather hold on to your bike or travel with your own. Ask to use it at the reception.

PS: The Georgian Kitchen at Callendar House is also an Outlander film location ! One of the most iconic scenes featuring the Duke of Sandringham and Murtagh were shot here. Check out Film on Forth to find more film and TV locations in the area.

Visit more Outlander locations in Scotland with my Outlander itinerary !

Indulge at Callendar House Tearoom

While you visit Callendar House, stop at the Tearoom on the second floor and indulge in a freshly prepared lunch or afternoon tea. The tearoom’s large panoramic windows offer views of the landscaped garden and the woodlands beyond. The food is delicious and the staff is super welcoming.

Extending your trip

Of course, these are not the only things to do in Falkirk. There is a lot more to see in Falkirk and beyond!

Visit Falkirk has developed several 3-day itineraries for Falkirk and Clackmannanshire which are easy to follow by bike. For example:

• The e-bike itinerary is easy to follow with a Forth Bike and includes stops at the Dunmore Pineapple, the Ochil Hills and the Skinflats RSPB Nature Reserve.
• The family itinerary consists of shorter routes that are suitable for small legs. On this route you’ll explore Falkirk, Bo’ness and Blackness Castle.

You can find all the cycling itineraries and lots of routes for day trips from Falkirk here .

Falkirk Travel Guide

How to get to falkirk.

Falkirk is easy to reach from Glasgow or Edinburgh by train. It’s about 20 minutes from Glasgow Queen Street to Falkirk High station, and about 30 minutes from Edinburgh Waverley. From there it’s about a 15-minute walk to the Forth Bike docking station on High Street.

The journey times to Falkirk Grahamston – Falkirk’s central train station – is a tiny bit longer. About 40-45 minutes from Glasgow and 35 minutes from Edinburgh. From there, the bike station is less than 10 minutes away.

Find more travel info here .

How to get around

The town centre of Falkirk is very walkable, but attractions like the Falkirk Wheel and the Kelpies are further away. They are not in easy walking distance, especially if you want to visit both. However, there are local buses that go to the Falkirk Wheel and the Helix Park.

An easy and sustainable way to get around Falkirk is by bike, but unfortunately the public bike-hire scheme has recently closed unexpectedly, so you have to bring your own bike or hire a bike somewhere else.

Where to stay

There are lots of different places to stay in Falkirk and the wider area. If you travel by bike, make sure you book bike-friendly accommodation with facilities such as secure storage, bike washing and laundry.

Consider camping at Underwood Caravan Park , or glamping at Bonnybridge Eco Camping & Glamping or Kersebrock Kabins . For self-catering cottages check out Pirnie Lodge or Antonine Wall Cottages .

If you prefer staying at a hotel, look for rooms at Grange Manor or Leapark Hotel in Falkirk, or Richmond Park Hotel in Bo’Ness.

Find more accommodation in Falkirk and beyond here .

It goes to show that it’s worth exploring Scotland’s smaller towns like Falkirk. There are. so many fun things to do in Falkirk, unique experiences and fascinating places to visit.

I hope you feel inspired by this Falkirk travel guide to plan a day trip to Falkirk or even a longer adventure to Clackmannanshire – and consider going by bike!

Share your Falkirk travel experiences or any other places to visit in the comments!

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2 thoughts on “ Falkirk Travel Guide: 10+ Things to do in Falkirk ”

Me and my husband went to Falkirk and we met up with my daughter Deana and cal and the kids we had a great time we saw the Falkirk weel and the kelpies we had a amazing time we had a bit to eat we are coming back from a adventure lots of different things that the kids can do and enjoy see you soon for Bonnie Dundee

I’m so happy to hear you had a braw time in Falkirk!!

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The Falkirk Wheel Visitor Guide

The Falkirk Wheel is situated in the heart of Stirlingshire , around 23 miles from Edinburgh and Glasgow. As the world’s only rotating boat lift, it has become a popular tourist attraction since opening in 2002.

The wheel lifts boats 115 feet into the air between Scotland’s Forth & Clyde and Union canals, and visitors can experience it in action on a 60-minute journey across both waterways.

The Falkirk Wheel is a popular tourist attraction near Falkirk that has the distinction of being the world’s only rotating boat lift. This impressive example of Scotland’s world-leading engineering skills lifts boats over 115 feet into the air between the Forth & Clyde and Union canals, and since opening in 2002, it has seen over 1.5 million people take a ride on it.

Taking cues from the shape of Celtic axes, the Falkirk Wheel can lift up to six canal boats in a full rotation that takes just five minutes to complete – much faster than the 24 hours it used to take boats to transit the original canal locks. It’s an incredible feat of engineering, but it’s not until you take a trip on the wheel that you appreciate the size of it.

The ‘wheel’ (it’s not actually a wheel as you can see from the photos, but it does move in a circular motion), consists of two arms extending from a central axle with water-filled gondolas hanging off each end.

Each gondola carries a combined weight of 500 tonnes and holds as much water as an Olympic-sized swimming pool, yet they’re perfectly balanced thanks to a system of computer-controlled valves and pumps that syphon off the same weight of water as the weight of the boat that sails onto it. It then only takes as much energy to rotate the wheel as is used to boil eight kettles of water. Mind-boggling stuff.

If you want to experience a ride on the wheel, you can purchase an ‘original tour’ or a ‘revolution tour’ ticket from the visitor centre, with the original tour costing a few more pounds but lasting twice as long. Admittedly, it’s not exactly a white-knuckle ride (don’t have visions of Alton Towers before you arrive), but it’s gentle, sedate fun, and all ages will enjoy the views on the way up.

While the journey between the canals is the highlight of a visit, there are lots of other activities for families to enjoy including a children’s activity zone, a water play park, a mini canal, canoeing, bike hire, and woodland walks.

The Highlights

1: The standout experience at the Falkirk Wheel is the boat trip that allows visitors to ride the lift. The wheel raises boats by 24 metres (79 feet) in a matter of minutes. This feat of modern engineering is a spectacle to behold, and being on a boat as it’s lifted smoothly and efficiently is a unique experience.

2: The visitor centre is excellent and includes food and drinks stalls, information panels, and interactive displays aimed at both adults and children.

3: There are some really nice walks and cycle routes in the area. One trail I personally recommend is the Sustrans route 76, which runs from Edinburgh to Stirling.

Visiting Tips

1: The boat trip on the Falkirk Wheel is a must-do activity to fully appreciate this engineering wonder. These boat trips can be very popular, especially during the peak tourist season, so to ensure you get a seat it’s advisable to book your tickets in advance.

2: Before planning your visit, check the Falkirk Wheel’s operating times as they can vary with the seasons and may be affected by maintenance periods or special events.

3: The area around the Falkirk Wheel has much more to offer than just the wheel itself. Combine your visit with other nearby attractions such as the impressive Kelpies sculptures at Helix Park.

Tourist Information

The highlight of a visit to the Falkirk Wheel has to be taking a ride on the purpose-built barges that sail between the canals, and it’s only by taking a tour that you’ll really get to appreciate this world-class example of ‘big engineering’ in action.

It doesn’t take long to get from ground level to the top of the next canal, but there’s a good view once you’re up there and I enjoyed watching the mechanism as it completed its turn. The only thing I’d have liked to have been able to do is take a closer look inside the central axle as it’s easily big enough to walk inside, but as far as I’m aware, the attraction doesn’t currently offer this as part of a tour.

That being said, the visitor centre has lots of informative displays that explain exactly how it all works and how the sections of the wheel fit together. As visitor centres go, the one at the Falkirk Wheel is excellent and you’ll find lots of gifts and souvenirs in the shop while the food stalls outside serve delicious food (I had an awesome wood-fired pizza), but they’re a little overpriced in my opinion, so you might want to take a picnic instead.

You’ll have plenty of opportunities to eat al fresco thanks to the lovely walkways along the canals, and if the weather’s warm enough, you can cool down in the water park near the visitor centre which has lots of valves, pressure pumps, and water wheels for children to play with.

If you fancy going a bit further out onto the water you can climb into a giant inflatable zorb ball and roll your way around it, or you can paddle across the canal on a stand-up paddleboard. Both activities have an additional fee (see the Falkirk Wheel website for details), but they’re good fun, which leads me to another family activity that might be worth paying extra for.

The Scottish Segway Centre provides off-road tours around the woodland paths that surround the Falkirk Wheel on gyro-controlled two-wheeled scooters. They look like they’re unsteady, but I have to admit that after a brief ride I felt right at home trundling along the paths near the wheel. Young and old can use them because they’re simple to operate, and gliding up to the viewing platform at the top of the Falkirk Wheel was the highlight of my visit, so I heartily recommend hiring one.

The Segway Centre also do a 50-minute ‘Segway Safari’ that follows the nearby Antonine Way which ends at the remains of Rough Castle, the former northernmost outpost of the Roman empire in ancient Britain. The only negative I have is that the tours are a wee bit expensive even though they’re great fun, with the safari costing over £110 for two adults and children.

The history of the Falkirk Wheel goes back almost a century to the time that a network of locks connected the Clyde and Union canals, long before it reached the design stage in the late 1990s.

Due to the 115-foot difference in height between the two canals, boats that wanted to sail between them had to pass through a total of eleven locks, each of which would have to be filled with water before the boat could move to the next in a process that could easily take the best part of a day. By 1930 the locks were no longer used and they were eventually dismantled in 1933, rendering water-based travel between the two canals impossible.

The final nail in the coffin of this once-important route across Scotland was the closure of the Forth and Clyde Canal in 1962, with the Union Canal being completely cut off from Scotland’s waterways in the mid-70s when it was blocked off at both ends.

Luckily for us tourists, the link between the two bodies of water was deemed worthy of re-opening thanks to the funds offered by the National Lottery and in 1999 a design was made that would allow boats to be transported vertically in a one-of-a-kind lift. This replacement for the old system of locks was built over the next three years and involved over a thousand people in its construction.

The amount of work that went into building the Falkirk Wheel is pretty amazing, with 8.8 million cubic feet of soil having to be excavated and over 2,000 feet of access roads having to be installed, not forgetting the 520-foot canal tunnel and 66-foot aqueducts that were also built.

It finally opened in 2002 at a cost of more than £17 million, and it has since become the highlight of Scotland’s remaining canal network, with more than 5 million people visiting it since its opening day.

Things to Do

Boat Ride : Experience the marvel of engineering as you take a boat ride on the Falkirk Wheel, the world’s only rotating boat lift. The 50-minute journey lifts you 35 meters above the ground, offering spectacular views of the surrounding landscape.

Explore The Visitor Centre : Visit the Falkirk Wheel’s state-of-the-art visitor centre to learn more about this engineering marvel. The centre offers interactive exhibits and informative displays that explain the history and workings of the wheel, making it a fantastic educational experience for both children and adults.

Water Activity Zone : For those looking for more adventure and excitement, the Falkirk Wheel offers a water activity zone. You can rent bumper boats, paddle boats, and even zorb balls, as well as go crazy in the Splash Zone – the perfect antidote to a hot summer’s day.

Walking and Cycling Routes : Beautifully landscaped paths that are suitable for both walking and cycling surround the Falkirk Wheel. These routes feature lovely views from start to finish and are a great way to spend an afternoon whether you’re an avid cyclist or a casual stroller.

Picnic with a view : Bring a picnic and relax in the green spaces around the Falkirk Wheel. With plenty of seating areas, it’s the perfect spot for a family lunch. Don’t forget to bring your camera – the wheel makes for an incredible backdrop for photos.

Things to Do Nearby

The Kelpies . Visitor Centre The Helix FK2 7ZT. 14-minute drive. Two 30-metre steel artworks of Kelpies, mythical seahorses that are found in many Scottish folk tales. The artworks sit alongside a canal which joins the River Carron and there are a variety of trails heading out into the countryside in all directions. The Kelpies visitor centre includes shops and a café.

Rough Castle . Falkirk FK1 4RS. 13-minute drive. The best-preserved fort on the Antonine Wall offers walking trails around the Roman earthworks that have been a feature of the landscape for more than 2,000 years. There are information panels dotted around the area and the walk to the Falkirk Wheel is a firm favourite with locals.

Helix Park . The Helix, Falkirk, Grangemouth FK2 7ZT. 11-minute drive. Helix Park is a large recreation area outside Falkirk that features a network of cycleways, canal-side walkways, a large pond with water sports activities and a café.

Callendar House . Callendar Rd, Falkirk FK1 1YR. 12-minute drive. 14th-century Scottish baronial country house complete with a working Georgian kitchen, a children’s play park, picnic area, permanent exhibitions and a tearoom. The grounds include part of the Antonine Wall.

Falkirk . 9-minute drive. Falkirk is a large town in central Scotland that offers a wide variety of shops, pubs and restaurants in a traditional high street. There are a number of historic landmarks in the town centre including the Falkirk Steeple and the Tattie Kirk as well as two modern shopping centres – Howgate and Callendar.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the falkirk wheel famous.

The Falkirk Wheel is the world’s only rotating boat lift. The wheel lifts boats 35 metres from one canal to the next while using only as much power as required to boil 8 kettles of water.

Do you have to pay to see the Falkirk Wheel?

There is no fee to see the Falkirk Wheel in action, only for boat rides on the wheel. Visit the official website for the latest entry prices.

Can you walk from Falkirk Wheel to the Kelpies?

There is a footpath along the Firth and Clyde Canal which allows walkers to visit both attractions. The walk is 4 miles each way which takes approximately 1.5 hours (3 hours return).

How long does it take for the Falkirk Wheel to rotate?

The Falkirk Wheel rotates at 1/8 of a revolution per minute, with one full rotation taking 4 minutes in total.

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Craig Neil is the author, photographer, admin, and pretty much everything else behind Out About Scotland. He lives near Edinburgh and spends his free time exploring Scotland and writing about his experiences. Follow him on Pinterest , Facebook , and YouTube .

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The Falkirk Wheel: The Complete Guide

 Brian Fairbrother/LatitudeStock/Getty Images

The Falkirk Wheel is the world's first, and only, rotating boat lift. It's a bit like a ferris wheel except instead of carrying passengers it carries boats floating in "gondolas" and their passengers as well. A Scottish millennium project about halfway between Glasgow and Edinburgh, it's a futuristic looking feat of engineering that's actually based on some very old science.

The History of the Falkirk Wheel

From the late 18th century, two canals—the Forth & Clyde Canal and the Union Canal —provided East/West navigation across the Scottish lowlands. They carried canal boats bearing goods between the Firth of Clyde near Glasgow and the Firth of Forth at near Edinburgh. In the 19th century, at the village of Falkirk, a series of 11 locks connected the two canals. It took almost a full day for a boat to be lifted through the locks. Not long after the locks were built, they were superseded by cheaper, faster means of traveling and carrying goods across the country, notably the railroads, as well as faster and safer ships, to navigate around the Scottish coast.

By the 1930s, the locks between the two canals were hardly used at all, and in 1933, they were closed, and they filled up with plants and soil and eventually became land on which houses were built. But the dream of creating coast-to-coast, navigable channels across Scotland gave rise to the Millennium Link Project, and the Falkirk Wheel is the result.

How the Falkirk Wheel Works

Early on, the designers realized that the energy required to raise caissons full of water (the gondolas), boats, and passengers the 115 feet between the two canals would take a tremendous and prohibitive amount of energy, whether driven by electricity or fossil fuel. So architect Tony Kettle and his team turned to an ancient principle discovered by Archimedes thousands of years ago.

Simply put, a floating object displaces its own weight in water. If an object sinks, it displaces its volume, and because it sinks, it is heavier than water and changes the weight of the container in which it sinks. But if it floats, it is essentially of an equal weight as the water it displaces. So a gondola full of water weighs exactly the same as a gondola containing one or more floating boats.

This balanced equilibrium, combined with a sophisticated arrangement of cogs and gears (to keep the gondolas level as the wheel rotates, so they don't tip over and spill out the boats and water), is what makes the rotation of the Falkirk Wheel possible. Scottish Canals video on the Falkirk Wheel website makes all this science very clear.

Opened by Queen Elizabeth II in May of 2002, the wheel cost about £85 million to build. But to raise and rotate the two gondolas, each weighing 600 tons and carrying an Olympic swimming pool's volume of water (500,000 liters), is much cheaper. It uses the same amount of energy as it takes to boil eight household kettles—1.5 kilowatt hours.

Take a Ride on the Falkirk Wheel

You don't have to be on a canal boat cruise to experience "floating" up and down between the two canals, a distance equal to the height of a stack of eight double-decker buses. Fifty-minute trips on the wheel, starting and finishing at the visitor center, are offered throughout the year and bookable by telephoning the visitor center (+44 (0)8700 500 208). You can also purchase tickets online through the Scottish Canals website.

The trip is aboard an enclosed vessel, specially designed for the Falkirk Wheel gondola. Boat trips are typically scheduled for 11:10 a.m., 12:20 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:40 p.m., and 3:50 p.m., though there may be additional times available on the date you book your trip. Adult fares were £13.50 as of 2019. Concessions, children's, and family tickets are also available. Passengers leave from the visitor center and slowly ride up to the Union Canal. The half rotation of the wheel, from the Forth & Clyde Canal to the Union Canal, takes five minutes. The canal boat then takes a short cruise on the Union Canal before returning to the wheel for another half rotation down to the bottom.

If you are taking a cruise along the canals in a privately licensed pleasure craft and using the Falkirk Wheel for regular navigation, use of the boat lift is free (though it must be booked).

More Things to Do

Families can make the Falkirk Wheel a full day of entertainment. The Visitor Center includes a cafe and gift shop plus, in warmer weather, the "Splash Zone" has Water Zorbing and canoeing, peddle boats, stand-up paddle boarding, and bumper boats. Bike hire and Segway Safaris are also available. And the two horses' heads known as the Kelpies are just five miles away—at 30 meters tall, they're the world's largest equine sculptures. The center is 23 miles from either Glasgow or Edinburgh with all the attractions they offer. Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park is about an hour away.

Where: The Falkirk Wheel, Lime Rd, Tamfourhill, Falkirk FK1 4RS

When: Open Monday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Getting there:

By car: From Edinburgh, take the M9 toward Stirling to Junction 8, then follow brown and white signs. From Glasgow, off the M80, then M876 and exit M876 at Junction 1.

By Train: The nearest train stations are Falkirk Grahamston, Camelon or Falkirk High Station. Taxis to the wheel are available from taxi ranks at the stations. See National Rail Enquiries for train times and prices.

By bus: First Bus has services from Falkirk town center and other station locations. Check their Falkirk Zone website for prices and schedules.

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A Complete 48-Hour Itinerary for Falkirk Scotland

If you’re looking for a good excursion from Edinburgh in Scotland, Falkirk is a great choice. This city is located only half an hour away from the capital and has plenty of fantastic attractions, including the world’s largest equestrian statues and the only rotating boat lift in the world, not to mention a few filming locations from Outlander as well as the most unique folly in Scotland. Here’s a guide on how to spend 48 hours in Falkirk.

Table of Contents

Getting to Falkirk from Edinburgh

Falkirk is located roughly 20 miles west of Edinburgh, about halfway to Glasgow. You can drive there in about half an hour on the M9 highway. Just make sure you get off the highway at Exit 5. I’ve missed the exit several times, thinking there’s an exit at the next big roundabout, but there isn’t and then it’s an 11-mile detour to backtrack.

If you don’t have your own or a hired car, you can take the bus or train to Falkirk. There is usually a train that runs from Edinburgh to Falkirk in under half an hour. Just before I went in August 2020, the railway was damaged by flooding and the service was temporarily unavailable. Otherwise, it’s the fastest and cheapest way to get to Falkirk.

The other option is the X38 bus, which will take you straight from Princes Street in Edinburgh’s New Town to the center of Falkirk in a little over an hour and a half. If you’re going straight from Edinburgh Airport to Falkirk (as I did), then get the 909 bus and jump off in Grangemouth, which is about 20 minutes away by foot from the center of Falkirk.

Where to Stay in Falkirk

Falkirk doesn’t have the largest variety of accommodations to stay at. When there are events in town, such as a concert at the Falkirk Stadium, everything is fully booked. There also aren’t any hostels or budget accommodations in town at this time. The cheapest hotels start at around £30 ($39) a night.

SGE Leapark Hotel

My hotel was actually in Grangemouth, the town just on the other side of the highway from Falkirk. The SGE Hotel Group is a family-run chain of five hotels around Scotland. Just like the hotels in Edinburgh , SGE Leapark Hotel is built into an old stone building, but with nice, modern amenities. I was spoiled with a large executive room. There was a large space with a desk where I could catch up on my work, and a raised portion of the room where the bed was. The bathroom was quite large, especially by UK standards. I found the bed very soft and comfortable, and the WiFi was not bad.

I didn’t actually get a chance to eat in the hotel’s restaurant just due to time restrictions. Usually, that’s where breakfast would also be served, but due to the world events of 2020, breakfast is in a separate dining room. You have to tell them when you plan to eat breakfast, but otherwise, there weren’t really any restrictions. Breakfast options included a big Scottish breakfast, a smaller breakfast, a vegetarian option, eggs benedict, or a breakfast sandwich. On the side were optional toast, porridge, coffee, tea, and orange juice.

Dunmore Pineapple House

The Dunmore Pineapple is one of the most unusual structures in Scotland. It’s a folly (a decorative structure on one’s property that doesn’t usually serve a purpose) in the shape of a 46-foot tall pineapple. The pineapple sits atop a garden wall that contains two gardeners cottages. The best part is that you can rent out the cottages . They sleep four and cost as little as £500 ($650) for 4 days. The website advertises them for as little as £264 for 4 nights, but the cheaper times must already be fully booked for the next year.

While not significantly cheaper, another option is to stay at an Airbnb. There are about 90 properties around Falkirk and Grangemouth, starting at about £24 ($30) per night. If you’ve never used Airbnb before, use this link to claim up to £40 off your first stay.

Great Restaurants and Cafes in Falkirk

The town of Falkirk only has about 35,000 residents, but there are still plenty of restaurants and cafes to choose from, particularly in the city center. There are also a few gems out in the suburbs if you know where to look. While I’m sure I could write an entire book about the different places to eat in Falkirk, here are the couple that I had a chance to visit during my 48 hours there.

The first cafe I visited in Falkirk was Pots Cafe , the brainchild of Nicky Don. Located just a minute away from the Falkirk Steeple in the center of town, it’s a good place to head to if you want something convenient…or if you’re looking for fantastically good food. On the recommendation of Nicky, I had the haggis, chili and cheese toastie, served with salad, coleslaw and chips. As far as toasties go, it was one of the best I’ve ever had! Surprisingly spicy by Scottish standards, it was a really nice use of their fresh haggis from a local butcher.

If you’re not looking for a big meal, the drinks and cakes are also fantastic. All the cakes are homemade by Nicky and change daily. I had the raspberry cheesecake, with a chai latte on the side. The latte was delicious, especially as it was made from chai powder and not a teabag as some cafes do. The cheesecake was simply perfect. If you’re a vegetarian or vegan, they have a large menu just for you.

Arnotdale House Cafe

The Arnotdale House Cafe opened in September 2019 in Dollar Park. The cafe and house are managed by the Cyrenians charity organization . Per their website, “Cyrenians serves those on the edge, working with people at risk of becoming homeless and supporting them to transform their lives by beginning with their story, helping them believe that they can change their lives, and walking with them as they lead their own transformation.”

The cafe serves homemade food using locally-sourced ingredients. Some of their vegetables come from the Dollar Park garden, and they plan to eventually source all their produce from their own garden. The menu isn’t big, but the dishes are fantastic.

Their signature dish is the Stornaway stack – something I’d somehow never had in all my years living in Scotland. It uses Stornoway black pudding – a blood sausage from the Western Isles of Scotland. The stack is bread, Stornoway black pudding, a large portobello mushroom and a poached egg, topped with crispy bacon bits. It was delicious! The Stornoway black pudding is much better than the generic black pudding that many cafes in Scotland will serve.

I also had a stack of salmon pancakes on the side, just because they looked so good. I would never have considered topping fluffy American pancakes with cream cheese, smoked salmon and capers, but it turned out to be a really good combination. Add in a ginger beer on the side and the lunch was perfect.

The Lobster Pot

If you make it out to Blackness Castle, you’ve got to stop at the Lobster Pot. This quirky pub has some really fantastic decorations, all put together by the owner. I didn’t actually have any space in my stomach for another meal after my massive lunch at the Arnotdale House Cafe, but I did get a small snack of potato wedges while I waited for my bus back to Edinburgh.

One thing to know about the pubs and taverns in Scotland is that, contrary to what you would find in the USA, they usually serve the best food in town. Their ingredients are often sourced from local butchers and farmers, and the chefs are really creative. Considering how busy the place was in such a small village (and the castle was closed that day), I’m assuming the quality of their food was quite good. If you’re not hungry, at least stop by and see the awesome decorations inside and out.

Things to Do in Falkirk

There are a surprising number of attractions to see in the urban region of Falkirk, which is why I consider the town seriously underrated. Some of the attractions are better known than others, but I found that there’s actually far more to see than you can comfortably squeeze into 48 hours.

The Kelpies and Helix Park

In 2013, the Kelpies were constructed as a tribute to the steel industry of Falkirk, as well as the importance of the canal system in Scotland. Located at the beginning of the Forth and Clyde Canal where it branches off the River Carron about a mile and a half away from the Firth of Forth, these two massive steel horse statues tower 100 feet in the air. The Kelpies are also representative of mythical kelpies – water spirits in Scotland which often take the form of a horse.

The Kelpies are part of the Helix eco-park. The Helix opened in 2013 as the center of 17 miles of trails that connect 16 neighborhoods in Falkirk. The Helix has a large play area for kids, a lake and the Plaza Cafe.

The Kelpies were completed in 2014 with a visitor center to accommodate 300,000 visitors a year; it saw over a million in the first year after its opening! If you’re hungry, you can grab a snack from the visitor cafe or one of the food carts outside, or a pizza from The Horsebox on the other side of the statues.

If you’ve seen the Kelpies as you drive by on the nearby highway, you should know that you really can’t appreciate them unless you stand beneath. They’re a lot bigger than they look from the highway. I’d also recommend going at night when they’re lit up with colors, which is easier to do in the winter as sunset in the summer is around 11 at night! The Kelpies themselves are free to visit, but you have to pay for parking…r you can park by the Helix which is only about five minutes away.

Falkirk Stadium

One attraction you probably won’t visit in Falkirk unless it’s a special occasion is Falkirk Stadium. Built for football matches in 2006, it holds nearly 8,000 people. Although relatively small, it’s a decent music venue. The biggest music venue in Edinburgh – Usher Hall – only holds 2,200 people. As such, most people head to Glasgow to see their favorite concerts.

Recently, bands have started performing at Falkirk Stadium, which is only half the distance to Glasgow from Edinburgh. This year, The Killers were supposed to perform, but they were postponed until 2021 due to world events. On the other hand, if you’re into football (as I am), you could watch a match at the stadium.

An interesting feature of the stadium is the electric vehicle charging hub. With 26 stations, it’s the largest charging hub in Scotland. There is a huge push to reduce carbon emissions in Scotland and make it a greener country with renewable energy. Electric vehicles play a big part in that. Large charging centers like the one at Falkirk Stadium are being installed along the major highways of Scotland. The Scottish government has planned to phase out the need for new petrol and diesel cars by 2032, and will even give you an interest-free loan up to £35,000 ($45,000) for the purchase of an electric vehicle.

The Falkirk Wheel

The Falkirk Wheel has been on my list of places to visit for years, but somehow I only made it there this year. As the only rotating boat lift in the world, it’s a really unique and fascinating attraction. Built in 2002, the lift can take a flat-bottomed canal boat from the Forth and Clyde Canal up 86 feet to join the Union Canal which leads to Edinburgh. From the wheel, the Union Canal goes through a tunnel and then up two locks before maintaining the same level (no more locks) all the way to its terminus in Edinburgh.

The Falkirk Wheel is quite a marvel of engineering. The mechanism uses the power of eight electric tea kettles to rotate two boat-carrying gondolas each weighing 250 tons! You can take an hour boat tour up the lift to the first of the locks on the Union Canal and back down for £13.50 ($17.50). I highly recommend the tour, as the guide continuously gives you information about the Falkirk Wheel, the construction of the canals, what you can see around Falkirk from the top of the wheel, etc.

If you have a bit more time, walk out to Rough Castle and the remains of the Antonine Wall, one of Scotland’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Antonine Wall was the wall built 12 years after Hadrian’s Wall to keep the Scottish out of Britannia (what the Romans called England). It takes about half an hour to walk from the Falkirk Wheel to Rough Castle. Due to a tight schedule, I didn’t actually make it out there myself. I’ve been told there’s not much to see of the two-thousand-year-old fort, but I still like visiting all the UNESCO sites that I can. I’ll get out there the next time I’m in Falkirk.

The Dunmore Pineapple

I’ve seen some really unusual buildings in my travels. The Dunmore Pineapple is definitely one of the strangest. In 1493, Christopher Columbus brought the first pineapples over to Europe from Guadaloupe. At that time, they were extremely rare and valuable commodities. In 1761, John Murray built a greenhouse on his estate by the Firth of Forth to grow pineapples. Shortly afterward, he sailed across the Atlantic to become the last Colonial Governor of Vermont. Sometime after his return to Scotland, he added the concrete pineapple structure atop the greenhouse.

The Dunmore Pineapple is considered to be a folly. In Scotland, a folly is a decorative structure on one’s property that doesn’t really serve any purpose. There are towers and strange structures all over the UK that classify as follies, but I think the Pineapple is the most unique. It’s free to explore the gardens around the pineapple. If you want to see inside the structure, you can rent out the garden cottage beneath the pineapple for the weekend, which sleeps four.

Check out my article on the Dunmore Pineapple for directions on how to get there (it’s not that easy to find), what there is to do around the pineapple, and how to rent it for the weekend.

Callendar House

One of the most popular attractions in Falkirk is the Callander House . The house dates back to the 1300s, although it started out as a simple stone tower house. Over the past seven centuries, the house has expanded into a gorgeous Georgian estate. Many notable figures have stayed at the house, including Mary, Queen of Scots, Bonnie Prince Charlie, and Queen Victoria.

The Callendar House has three permanent exhibits full of panels and displays – The Story of the Callendar House, The Antonine Wall: Rome’s Northern Frontier, and Falkirk: Crucible of Revolution. The Georgian Kitchen is also a permanent attraction where you can see the original equipment, ovens and fireplace. A guide dressed in character will show you around, provide information on the history of the kitchen, and give you some samples of the original food they used to serve (although that last is temporarily suspended due to current world events). There are other additional temporary exhibits in the galleries of the house which change from time to time.

Just like the Kelpies, the Callendar House is free to visit. At this time, you have to book in your slot in advance. You could rush through the house in about 45 minutes, but I’d recommend spending a couple hours to really take in all the information. You can also spend a few hours exploring the grounds and woodland trails, which include the Forbes Mausoleum, another section of the remnants of the Antonine Wall, and Callendar Lake.

If you can’t make it to Falkirk in the near future, feel free to check out my virtual tour of the Callendar House .

Dollar Park

Dollar Park is where you’ll find the aforementioned Arnotdale House Cafe, but the cafe isn’t all there is to the park. Behind Arnotdale House is a large community garden where volunteers and the homeless can help out, although there are also experienced gardeners to help maintain and supervise things, including one of only two floral clocks in Scotland (the other being in the Princes Street Gardens in Edinburgh).

Before the other popular attractions in Falkirk opened, such as the Kelpies and Falkirk Wheel, the Dollar Park was a hub for the local community and visitors. Since the Cyrenians have been helping out, the park has been revitalized, with renovations to the playground, tennis courts and the house itself. Even the local bridge club returned to the park after nearly 50 years away.

If you have the time, Dollar Park is a nice place to relax a bit, grab a bite to eat and enjoy the flowers.

Blackness Castle

Blackness Castle is a fantastic attraction to visit, especially if you’re an Outlander fan. I was there before on my Outlander Tour , but I didn’t have a lot of time to explore that day.

The castle was built in the 15th century in a crucial defensive position on the Firth of Forth, protecting the nearly Linlithgow Palace which was one of the Scottish monarch’s residences at that time. The castle has the shape of a ship about to sail into the Firth of Forth, with three towers nicknamed Stern, Mast and Stem. Considerable defensive improvements have been made over the centuries, including reinforcing the walls to up to 15 feet thick in some places! The entrance to the castle is one of the most advanced kill chambers (known as a caponier) for its day in Scotland. As such, the castle was recently used as an ammunition depot before it was turned over to Historic Scotland.

The castle grounds are free to explore. If you want to enter the castle and also walk out on the pier (which has the best views of the castle and is protected by one of the last draw bridges to be constructed in the UK), admission is only £6 ($7.75). To get to Blackness Castle from Falkirk or Edinburgh, take the train to Linlithgow Palace and then the F49 bus to Blackness. There’s also the C19 bus which will take you straight from Blackness to Princes Street in Edinburgh’s New Town.

The Perfect 48 Hour Itinerary for Falkirk

When I first considered spending 48 hours in Falkirk, I didn’t think there were enough attractions to fill up two days. Now that I’ve done it, I can say that two days isn’t really enough time, especially if you want to explore the outdoors around the Falkirk Wheel, Dunmore Pineapple and Callendar House. Without any additional exploration and sticking to a tight schedule, everything above can be completed in two days.

I went to the Kelpies and Helix, Falkirk Stadium, Falkirk Wheel, and Dunmore Pineapple on my first day, and then Callendar House, Dollar Park and Blackness Castle on my second day, but that’s mostly because Callendar House was still closed on my first day. It might be a better idea to visit the Callendar House on the same day as the rest of the attractions around the center of Falkirk (Kelpies, Wheel and Dollar Park) and then get to the Dunmore Pineapple and Blackness Castle on the second day. That would also give you some time to explore Linlithgow Palace on the way to Blackness.

As some tips, aim to visit Callendar House in the morning before it gets busy, and the Kelpies in the evening to get the best lighting for photos (and free parking). The last boat tour at the Falkirk Wheel is at 3 p.m., so make sure to take that into account with your schedule. While I’d highly recommend visiting both Pots Cafe and Arnotdale House Cafe, it might be hard to work them into your schedule if you’re going to be out at the castle and palace on the second day.

As to a budget, considering there are no hostels in Falkirk, expect to spend at least £60 ($75) a day between accommodations, food, transport and the few paid attractions. If you’re really on a budget, you can consider getting a hostel in Edinburgh or Stirling and commuting each day to Falkirk, but that wouldn’t technically be a full 48 hours in Falkirk.

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Further Reading

Headed to Scotland and looking for more activities outside of Edinburgh? Here are some other suggestions.

• 10 Activities for The Perfect Day Trip from Edinburgh
• Adoring the Snow Leopards at the Highland Wildlife Park
• Explore the Isle of Lewis and Harris to See Scotland’s Best
• Edinburgh Excursions: Spending an Afternoon at Go Ape Peebles
• Is a Day Tour from Edinburgh to Loch Ness Worth It?
• What It’s Like to Take the Hogwarts Express in Scotland
• A Day of Adventures with Nevis Range in Fort William, Scotland
• The Ultimate Backpacker’s Guide to St Andrews, Scotland
• A Comprehensive Guide to Spending 48 Hours on the Isle of Skye
• Seeing Dundee’s Facelift at the V&A Dundee and Sleeperz Hotel
• An Honest Review of the Whisky, Warriors and Waterfalls Tour with Haggis Adventures
• Discovering the Outlander Filming Locations Near Edinburgh

Here’s some extra reading to save hundreds on your next vacation or stage of your journey.

• 5 Steps to Book Cheap Flights
• Hostels: To Book or Not to Book
• Is Workaway Worth it for the Traveler?
• Click here to claim your $25 credit with AirB&B

Hi, I'm Skye. Writer, photographer, adventurer, foodie, teacher, masseur, friend, dreamer, etc. I think "normal" sucks. Let's aim for extraordinary. SkyeTravels seeks to find the good around the world, focusing on adventures, food and wellness. Be inspired. Be yourself.

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The Kelpies tours , Helix Park, Falkirk, Scotland

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The Kelpies , Helix Park, Falkirk , Scotland

Kelpies Falkirk and Stirling Castle tours - visit the world famous Kelpies and the Falkirk Wheel 2024

Explore the iconic Kelpies, Stirling Castle and the Falkirk Wheel in Falkirk , top attractions in Falkirk . Tour the Falkirk Kelpies , the largest equine sculptures in the world. Six hour day trip, last minute bookings,Lowest price guarantee

On this private tour you can visit the iconic Kelpies , Stirling Castle and the Falkirk Wheel in  Falkirk  , all five star attractions , with Private Tours Edinburgh . Phone / Whatsapp +447305294773 for more details or contact us online .

This tour costs £270 for a group of up to four people . Book your Kelpies tour online now or Phone / Whatsapp +447305294773 for more details or contact us online .

Lowest price guarantee - superb online prices , 30% below other OTAs .

The Kelpies have been a huge success in bringing visitors to the Helix park and are now 10 years old and they are a unique tribute to the Clydesdale horses used to pull barges along the canals of Scotland in the 19th century . The Helix Park has now had seven million visitors since it opened .

Your driver / guide is an experienced tour guide and travel photographer based in Falkirk and he will give you a running commentary on places of interest plus information about the history and filming of each location on this tour .

More details of the tour of the Kelpies, Stirling Castle and the Falkirk Wheel .

For the latest information about availability and best prices please contact Private Tours Edinburgh by phone / WhatsApp on +447305294773 or  contact us online  .

We guarantee you the lowest online prices for our tours , book now and save up to 30% on the same tour from Viator or Tripadvisor

Book your  day trips from Edinburgh . On this tour you also have a unique opportunity to buy Kelpies print s and travel mugs.

Custom tours of Scotland

To avoid booking fees you can make a booking by phone / WhatsApp on +447305294773 or  contact us online  . 

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Private tours start at 10 am weekdays . Other times are available at weekends. For availability , bookings or more information please check it online or phone / Whatsapp +447305-294773 .

Scotland is the ideal place for a summer vacation in the UK

Normal pickup point is your Edinburgh city hotel, Airbnb or your port. 

This tour costs £270 for a group of up to four people . Book your Kelpies tour online now .

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Check availability for this tour now - phone / Whatsapp +447305-294773

six hour private tour group day trip around day trip around  Falkirk

• Explore the world famous  Falkirk Kelpies  , a unique tribute to the Clydesdale horses that used to pull barges along the canals of Scotland
• the Kelpies are the largest equine sculpture in the world
• the Falkirk Wheel , a unique rotating boat lift
• day trips from Edinburgh to three five star attractions
• Small private group tour with a maximum of four people
• phone +447305-294773 for more details

The world famous Kelpies

The Kelpies  sculptures are the largest equine sculptures in the world and they have become Scotland’s best known cultural landmark with over 7 million visitors in 10 years .

For availability , bookings or more information please check it online or phone / Whatsapp +447305-294773

The Kelpies  are 30 metre high sculptures of  Clydesdale horses  , a unique tribute to the work horses of Scottish industry and economy, pulling the freight barges and coalships along the canals of Scotland in the nineteenth century . Canals shaped the geographical layout of the  Falkirk  area. The Kelpies are the centrepiece of  the Helix  Park in Falkirk . The site of the battle of Falkirk is near the Kelpies . The 750th anniversary of the battle took place last year .

The Kelpies  are the biggest and most famous equine sculptures in the world . VisitBritain has dubbed them ‘Kai Po Ju Ma’ which translates as “ glorious armoured giant horses ”.

The Helix park offers a short tour of the Kelpies including going inside one of them ( not included in the tour price )

Kelpies tours from Edinburgh Airport cost £225. For more details about availability phone/Whatsapp +44 7305-294773 .

Kelpies canvas prints for sale - original images of the Kelpies by photographer and your tour guide David . The Kelpies at night are a stunning spectacle .

Wide range of tours of Scotland from Private tours Edinburgh Scotland also offers bespoke private tours and one day Outlander tours customised to the requirements of each customer .

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For more details about availability phone/Whatsapp +44 7305-294773 .

Stirling Castle

Stirling Castle is one of Scotland’s most impressive castles due to its dominating position and impressive architecture. Built on volcanic rock by the Stewart kings of Scotland , the castle was completely renovated over a 10 year period which finished in 2011.

From Stirling Castle’s ramparts, visitors can take in views of the Forth Valley and Ben Lomond , as well as two of Scotland’s most important battle sites – Stirling Bridge (1297) and Bannockburn (1314). The castle is at the head of Stirling’s historic old town.Like Edinburgh Castle , Stirling sits on an expired volcano dominating the city skyline .

Stirling Castle is not only one of Scotland’s grandest and most imposing castles, it was also a real favourite with Scotland’s Stewart kings and queens. James IV created the Great Hall, the largest medieval banqueting hall ever built in Scotland, and James V’s Royal Palace, with its lavishly decorated Renaissance façades, was a masterpiece of the period.

For bookings our toll free number 1-866-233-2644 or online .

Stirling Castle tours

Falkirk Wheel

Lowest price guarantee - superb online prices , 30% below other OTAs .

Also available - our new tour of the Kelpies, Stirling Castle and the Falkirk Wheel

Things to do in Falkirk

Visit the Kelpies canvas prints shop for 50 different photo gifts including canvas prints, travel mugs , t-shirts and throw pillows .

 Falkirk’s tourism is constantly improving as it becomes the third five-star attraction in the area. 

Our tour of Falkirk features a visit to the world famous Kelpies , the Falkirk Wheel and Stirling Castle .

We stop for up to an hour at each location .

Lunch , refreshments and the boat trip over the Falkirk Wheel are not included in the tour price .

This tour costs £270 for a private group of up to four people.

For availability , bookings or more information please check it online or Whatsapp +447305-294773 .

The Kelpies at night

The Kelpies at night are illuminated and make a spectacular sight for visitors and passing motorists on the M9 motorway .

Our  photo tours of Scotland  set off from Edinburgh and feature visits to the top scenic locations and tourist attractions in Scotland. Perfect for iPhone and DSLR users with a passion for landscape photography ( and Instagram ) . Your guide will give you his unique Insights into Scottish culture ,music and art including Jack Vettriano

For more details about availability Phone / Whatsapp +447305294773 , toll free number is 1-866-233-2644 for more details or contact us online .

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Visit the Kelpies prints sh op for 50 different photo gifts including travel mugs , throw pillows and prints . Free pickup and dropoff

This is the perfect day trip to Falkirk and Stirling . Over two million visitors have seen the Kelpies in the Helix Park .

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What are our post popular tours for 2024 ?

Four castles tou rs of Scotland

The Kelpies tours

Tour of St Andrews and Historic Fife

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A taxi Edinburgh to Glasgow Airport from Glentana costs £130 . Phone / Whatsapp +447576127097

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Private Tours Edinburgh offers custom tours of Scotland with a professional guide on hand to give information and advice . Five star Tours of the amazing Kelpies and Stirling Castle . Our four castle tours of Scotland include Stirling Castle ,Game of Thrones & Outlander tours. Tour the amazing scenery of Glencoe and the Highlands. .Outlander & Blood of my Blood tours to Lallybroch ( Midhope Castle ), Castle Leoch (Doune Castle) and other locations . Tours of St Andrews ,the home of golf .Custom tours of Scotland .Shore excursions from Edinburgh . Last minute bookings

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Bus company blames 'uneven playing field' as 160 jobs at risk

Alexander Dennis has eight sites across the UK including bases in Falkirk and Larbert.

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A Scots bus manufacturer said an “uneven playing field” is to blame as the consultation process in which 160 roles are at risk begins.

Global independent bus manufacturers Alexander Dennis, a subsidiary of NFI Group Inc., confirmed that the process had begun on Thursday.

The bus manufacturer, which has eight sites across the UK including Falkirk and Larbert, announced that 160 Scottish jobs could be axed last month.

Alexander Dennis cited “various government policies” creating an “uneven playing field” across the industry as the reason behind the redundancies.

Paul Davies, president and managing director for Alexander Dennis, said that government funding has “effectively incentivised” competitors to buy from lower-security economies.

The manufacturer said it had been forced to cut jobs despite record levels of funding for zero emission buses being made available from both the UK Government and the Scottish Government.

A statement from the company said that manufacturers receiving funding from the Scottish Government are at a “disadvantage” due to adhering to the Fair Work First standards which is not a requirement of suppliers whose productions take place in other countries.

The statement continued: “Neither are bus operators incentivised or rewarded for choosing companies that meet Fair Work First standards when funding is awarded.

“This not only puts domestic manufacturers at further competitive disadvantage, but also undermines the value of this flagship policy as government-funded work is shipped offshore.”

The company claimed it “has repeatedly voiced concerns” about the uneven playing field that exists for UK bus manufacturers.

Mr Davies said: “We are deeply disappointed that the ongoing effect of various government policies is now threatening some of these jobs.

“Competition in itself is healthy, but when taxpayer money is spent with little domestic industrial, economic or employment benefit and bus companies effectively are incentivised to buy from lower-security economies, it creates an incomprehensible dynamic and an uneven playing field.

“While our statutory consultation has commenced, we will continue to do everything we can to save and protect as many jobs as possible. We will continue our dialogue with governments to identify potential solutions to level the playing field, strengthen our industry and drive investments in local jobs and domestic supply.”

Employment and Investment Minister Tom Arthur responded saying the Government had engaged “extensively” with Alexander Dennis to understand the issues and mitigate the need for redundancies.

He said: “This has included discussions with the First Minister, and the support of Scottish Enterprise and Transport Scotland.”

“The affected staff are our immediate priority and, in the event of job losses, the Scottish Government will provide support through our Partnership Action for Continuing Employment initiative.

“ADL has secured more orders than any other single manufacturer through the Scottish Zero Emission Bus Challenge Fund and its predecessor programme, with more than £20 million in grant funding being made available to the company since 2020 through Scottish Enterprise.

“The cost of living crisis is exactly why Fair Work – including fair pay – is more important than ever, and why fair work principles are applied to public sector grants, other funding and contracts where relevant.

“Scottish Ministers have a duty to ensure compliance with regulations held in the UK Subsidy Control Act 2022 to promote fair competition, and prevent any negative effects on trade and investment within the UK, or with other countries. There is also a legal obligation to comply with World Trade Organisation rules which prohibits a subsidy that specifically requires the use of a domestic good over an imported good.”

Unite Industrial Officer Pat Egan said: “The announcement of 160 potential job losses at Alexander Dennis in Falkirk is deeply alarming. Be in no doubt that the impact on the workforce and the local community will be huge.

“Alexander Dennis should be one of Scotland’s green manufacturing jewels and we should be creating more jobs not cutting them to deliver the green buses of the future. Instead, we face another blow to our manufacturing base on the back of the devastating news coming from Grangemouth.

“We are demanding meetings with the company and the Scottish Government to explore all avenues which can protect jobs because if Scotland wants to promote bus travel and achieve lower carbon emissions then we need a manufacturing base capable of delivering these objectives.”

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