Falkirk: Canals, Roman History and Landscapes

Half a turn, five minutes: the Falkirk Wheel connects the Forth-&-Clyde Canal and the Union Canal in a half-turn that takes five minutes. Boat trips are available on the Falkirk Wheel. Check the latest trip and booking details before your visit. In addition to canal engineering, Falkirk offers Roman history, designed landscapes and unique visitor experiences.

Roman history at the Antonine Wall

Of the forts along the Antonine Wall, Rough Castle is the best preserved. Visitors can see the highest surviving section of the Wall there. The defensive pits, known as lilia pits, are also notable: they are among the best examples along the entire Roman frontier. Rough Castle is free to visit year-round; check the latest access information before travelling.

North of Falkirk High School, a stretch of the Antonine Wall about 345 metres long is preserved as a particularly well-preserved ditch. Remains of the outer rampart, berm and Wall lie beneath the ground there. The Antonine Wall is part of the transnational Frontiers of the Roman Empire World Heritage Site. Together, these features offer different ways to explore the history of the Roman frontier: from the surviving fort and its defensive pits to the Wall's buried structural elements.

House, park and designed landscape

Callendar House dates from the 14th century and is open to the public free of charge as a combined art gallery and museum. As visitor offerings may change, check the latest information before travelling. Callendar Park covers more than 170 acres. As a historically significant designed landscape, it is listed in the Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes in Scotland. The house and park represent different aspects of heritage: a building with a long history and an extensive designed landscape.

Paths, water and open space

Helix South has an extensive network of paths for walking, running and cycling. At the lagoon in The Helix, you can watch wildlife by the tranquil water. While the paths offer opportunities for outdoor exercise, the lagoon provides a chance to focus on watching the water. The Kelpies are 30-metre-high monuments to the horse-based heritage.

Muiravonside Country Park covers 170 acres of woodland and parkland. The River Avon Trail runs through the park. From the park, the John Muir Way can be reached via a wooden staircase leading from the riverside path to the Avon Aqueduct Bridge. Current visitor facilities also include a play area and two adventure trails with sturdy wooden play equipment. Check the latest information before your visit.

Whisky and more history

Falkirk Distillery offers guided tours of the distillery and its traditional dunnage warehouse. The tours end with a tasting of three Lowland single malts made, distilled and bottled there. Visitors can also fill their own whisky bottle from a cask at the distillery. Check the latest tour details and availability before your visit.

Kinneil Estate offers another way to explore the region's history: it includes Kinneil House, Kinneil Museum, Kinneil Kirk, the Antonine Wall and other historic features spanning 2,000 years of history. Kinneil Museum serves as the estate's interpretation centre. Falkirk's heritage therefore ranges from individual archaeological features to an estate whose components span different historical periods.

Discover more destinations: Camelon, Maddiston, Denny, Carron, Airth, Slamannan, Larbert, Bo'ness, Falkirk, Bonnybridge, Polmont, Grangemouth.

For the main travel overview: Scotland.