About Falkirk
Falkirk is located right in the heart of central Scotland, half way between Glasgow and Edinburgh. It is renowned for its wonderful visitor attractions, great shopping and as a location for having a fantastic night out with friends or family.
Falkirk is alive with history. The Antonine Wall, dating from the 2nd century, marked the northern frontier of the Roman Empire. Kinneil Estate has the best-preserved sections of the wall, while other parts are visible at Callendar Park, Polmont Hill, Watling Lodge, Tamfourhill and Roughcastle, with its complete fort.
The recently refurbished Falkirk Old and St Modans church grounds – the Faw Kirk, right in the heart of the town centre contains a number of nationally important historic graves and has played a significant role in Falkirk’s history – well worth visiting.
Blackness Castle is a 15th century fortress which stands on the banks of the Firth of Forth near the peaceful village of Blackness. The moody and atmospheric castle made the perfect setting for the film version of Hamlet, starring Mel Gibson. In a real-life tragedy, the army of William Wallace fell to the English under Edward I at Falkirk in 1298 but in 1746 Bonnie Prince Charlie defeated the Hanoverians in the other battle of Falkirk.
The giant Falkirk Wheel is the world's first and only rotating boat lift, the centrepiece of the Millennium Link project to join up the waterways between the east and west coast. The Wheel transports boats the 115 feet between the different levels of the Union, and Forth and Clyde canals. You can ride on the wheel, and learn all about it at the superb visitor centre.
Experience historic Callendar House which dates from the 14th century. It is set in the nationally-important historic designed landscape of Callendar Park, which also contains a section of the Antonine Wall World Heritage Site. The House has a number of permanent and themed displays.
In the restored 1825 Kitchen, costumed interpreters create an exciting interactive experience.
Look out for the unusual Dunmore Pineapple near Airth. Travel on a steam train on a seven-mile round trip along the southern shore of the Forth at the Bo'ness and Kinneil Steam Railway, which boasts Scotland's largest collection of railway artefacts.
Today Falkirk has a wide range of cultural facilities. Callendar House has permanent and changing exhibitions and historical research facilities, Falkirk Town Hall is a major venue for performing arts, entertainments and film, and Scotland’s first purpose built cinema, the recently refurbished Hippodrome cinema in Bo’ness is a wonderful venue in which to view films of all genres.
Getting to the Falkirk area couldn’t be easier, either by car, train or bus, with regular services to and from Glasgow and Edinburgh.
If you’re planning to visit the Falkirk area for this year’s Funny in Falkirk, make a day of it and have a look around one of the area’s fantastic attractions or simply treat yourself to some serious retail therapy in our renowned retail outlets – both the nationals and Falkirk’s speciality independents. Then treat yourself to pre-show dinner and drinks in one of the towns many restaurants and pubs.