The Perfect Location
The Coach House at Glenbervie is perfectly situated for exploring this beautiful part of Scotland.
Falkirk boasts a fantastic range of attractions that celebrate its illustrious commercial heritage and is conveniently located for getting out and about across Scotland, with Edinburgh and Glasgow and beautiful Loch Lomond and the Trossachs, on the edge of the Scottish Highlands, only a 30-minute drive away.
Whatever the reason for your visit and whether your interest is historical sites, outdoor adventure, boutique shopping or fine dining, you’ll find an abundance of things to see and do.
Rich Heritage & Fantastic Monuments
Home to the astonishing engineering marvel of the Falkirk Wheel – the world’s first revolving boat lift – board a vessel for ‘The Falkirk Wheel Experience’ to view the Falkirk Wheel from land or water. The entire 'Wheel Experience' will last approximately 60 minutes for the ascent and descent through the Wheel or you can sit and view the Wheel from the Visitor Centre and enjoy a delicious coffee and a wide variety of quality foods.
Whilst here take a short stroll up the hill to see the Roman remains of the Antoine Wall, which dates back to the 2nd century and which marked the northern frontier of the Roman Empire. Nearby Kinneil Estate, meaning ‘Wall’s End’, has the best preserved sections of the wall along with the foundations of a fortlet.
Callendar House, an imposing mansion with a 900 year history, has played host to many great historical figures over the centuries, including Mary, Queen of Scots, Cromwell and Bonnie Prince Charlie. Sample freshly cooked delicacies in the restored working kitchen, visit period shops or delve into history in the Victorian Library. Situated in beautiful Callendar Park, there’s a wide range of leisure pursuits including woodland walks, boating pond, bouncy castle, pitch and putt, crazy golf and go-karts.
Look out for the unusual Dunmore Pineapple at Airth, explore Blackness Castle, a 15th century fortress which stands proud on the banks of the Firth of Forth and the setting for the film version of Hamlet, starring Mel Gibson, or visit one of the many potteries in the area, including the Barbara Davidson Pottery & Gift Shop at Muirhill Farm, Larbert, where you’ll find fine hand-thrown pottery, unique gift ideas, designed and created on the premises.
Also close by is the fascinating Bo’ness and Kinneil Steam Railway, which includes Scotland’s largest collection of railway artefacts. Savour the nostalgia and romance of a bygone age by travelling in a steam train on a seven mile round trip along the southern shores of the Forth. Get off at Birkhill for a walk down to the Avon Gorge and take a guided tour of the Birkhill Fireclay Mine and marvel at the extensive workings which reveal huge caverns and the 300 million year old fossils of giant tree ferns from a pre-dinosaur age.
Stirling & The Forth Valley
At nearby Stirling, explore a region where famous battles occurred, national heroes were born and Scottish royalty held court.
The National Wallace Monument dominates the landscape and uncovers the legendary story of Sir William Wallace, Scotland’s ‘Braveheart’, whilst perched high on the Castle Rock the spectacular Stirling Castle, once home of Mary Queen of Scots, lets you step back in time with a visit to the Royal Palace and the Great Hall, the largest banqueting hall ever built in medieval Scotland. Nearby, relive the famous Battle at the Bannockburn Heritage Centre or why not sample some ales at the Bridge of Allan Brewery Visitor Centre.
Try one of the many guided walks and discover the city’s dark past on the Stirling Ghost Walk, beginning at the spooky Old Town Jail. Other places of interest include the Stirling Smith Art Gallery & Museum, Argyll’s Lodging, a superb mansion built around 1630 and the impressive 15th century Church of the Holy Rude. Or why not sample some ales at the Bridge of Allan Brewery Visitor Centre.
Linlithgow is also not too far away and home to Linlithgow Palace, once a royal abode for the Stewart kings during the 12th Century and birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots.
Loch Lomond & The Trossachs
Explore beautiful Loch Lomond & the Trossachs, taking in many more attractions on the way including the Blair Drummond Safari Park, Briarlands Farm, Doune Castle, Argaty Red Kites, Scotland's only red kite feeding station and the Rob Roy Visitor Centre and Scottish Wool Centre to name but a few.
The road between Callander and Aberfoyle known as ‘The Duke’s Pass’ (the A821) is breathtaking, running along the banks of Loch Venacher and Loch Achray and through the Trossachs mountain range. It is worth stopping off at Loch Katrine and having a sail on the SS Sir Walter Scott.
You’ll need a day out to explore Loch Lomond alone and don’t miss the chance to cruise amidst the beautiful scenery and bonnie banks of Loch Lomond with Sweeney’s Cruises.
Outdoor Adventure
From history trails to countryside rambles, Falkirk offers some superb walking. Enjoy a stroll around many of the country parks and gardens in the area including Plean Country Park, Ochil Hills Woodland Park, Dollar Park, Callendar Park, Glengoulandie Park and Gargunnock House Gardens – and for wildlife lovers, Flanders Moss Nature Reserve.
There’s plenty for golfers and keen anglers and nearby, the Carron Valley Bike Trails at Carron Bridge offers 10.5km of ‘big country’ mountain bike trails and you’ll enjoy a great day out with the Scottish Cycling Centre at Callander.
Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park offers something for everyone - low level and hill walking, cycling, boating, golf, wildlife watching and for the more adventurous, canoeing, kayaking, windsurfing and mountain biking. For more information visit Trossachs National Park
Shopping
Falkirk’s historic town centre boasts two large, covered shopping centres - the Howgate, home to many well known high street names and Callendar Square, a retail park with a choice of local independent stores unrivalled in the region. You can also explore the variety of shops in the narrow cobbled lanes with names that evoke the days of Falkirk's past such as Cow Wynd, Lint Riggs, Bank Street, Vicar Street and Newmarket Street.
Nearby you’ll find a huge selection of famous name brands at between 30-70% off RRP at Sterling Mills Designer Outlet Village, whilst there are plenty of pretty little historic towns and villages all around, such as Bridge of Allan, with its specialist shops, delis, art and traditional food shops.
The bustling designer shopping delights of Glasgow or Edinburgh are just a 30 minute drive away, whilst just an hour away, the Loch Lomond Outlet Centre is part of a great day out, with 18 stores selling discounted brands all under one roof.
