Falkirk stands in an important position at the heart of central Scotland. This position has ensured its role in Scottish history from the Roman period till today. The name ‘Falkirk’ originates from the Gaelic EGGLESBRECH, meaning ‘the speckled church’. The Old Parish Church is located in the centre of Falkirk and may have been founded as early as the 7th century. The earliest parts of the present building date to around 1450. Although the church was largely rebuilt in the 19th century, the 18th-century steeple was retained. Over the years the name has translated into Scots as FAWKIRK and then into the modern FALKIRK.
The town has a fascinating history from becoming a burgh in 1600, to the beating heart of Scotland’s industrial revolution. Falkirk has given its name to two local battles, the First Battle of Falkirk on 22nd July 1298 between the armies of William Wallace and Edward I of England; and the Battle of Falkirk Muir on 17th January 1746 between the Jacobite army, led by Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Government Redcoats (Outlander fans may recognise this).
During the 18th century, Falkirk’s economy shifted away from agriculture to industry. The town became a busy industrial manufacturing centre, and many iron foundries opened, including the famous Carron Iron Works. During the 20th century, there was less demand for iron goods and Falkirk as an industrial centre began to decline. The town’s history is echoed in its surviving historic buildings, architecture and local folklore.
A reminder of Falkirk’s industrial past is the Falkirk Wheel. This is a rotating boat lift connecting the Forth and Clyde Canal with the Union Canal. It reconnects the two canals for the first time since the 1930s. It opened in 2002 as part of the Millennium Link project. The wheel raises boats by 24 metres but the Union Canal is still 11 metres higher than the aqueduct which meets the wheel. Boats must also pass through a pair of locks between the top of the wheel and the Union Canal. The Falkirk Wheel is the only rotating boat lift of its kind in the world and one of only two working boat lifts in the United Kingdom.
Also, on the Forth and Clyde Canal are two 30-metre-high steel sculptures, The Kelpies which borrow the name of the mythical creature to associate with the strength and endurance of the horse. They were built as monuments to Scotland's horse powered industrial heritage; designed by sculptor Andy Scott and officially opened in April 2014.
Falkirk should be remembered for "Scotland's other national drink" (after whisky) officially introduced in 1901 – Barr’s Iron Brew now known as Irn Bru - but according to a document in the firm’s archives which indicates the drink was already enjoying strong sales by May 1899 produced by Robert Barr (Falkirk). Irn-Bru has long been the most popular soft drink in Scotland, with Coca-Cola second. It is also the third best-selling soft drink in the UK after Coca-Cola and Pepsi.
The town has a fascinating history from becoming a burgh in 1600, to the beating heart of Scotland’s industrial revolution. Falkirk has given its name to two local battles, the First Battle of Falkirk on 22nd July 1298 between the armies of William Wallace and Edward I of England; and the Battle of Falkirk Muir on 17th January 1746 between the Jacobite army, led by Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Government Redcoats (Outlander fans may recognise this).
During the 18th century, Falkirk’s economy shifted away from agriculture to industry. The town became a busy industrial manufacturing centre, and many iron foundries opened, including the famous Carron Iron Works. During the 20th century, there was less demand for iron goods and Falkirk as an industrial centre began to decline. The town’s history is echoed in its surviving historic buildings, architecture and local folklore.
A reminder of Falkirk’s industrial past is the Falkirk Wheel. This is a rotating boat lift connecting the Forth and Clyde Canal with the Union Canal. It reconnects the two canals for the first time since the 1930s. It opened in 2002 as part of the Millennium Link project. The wheel raises boats by 24 metres but the Union Canal is still 11 metres higher than the aqueduct which meets the wheel. Boats must also pass through a pair of locks between the top of the wheel and the Union Canal. The Falkirk Wheel is the only rotating boat lift of its kind in the world and one of only two working boat lifts in the United Kingdom.
Also, on the Forth and Clyde Canal are two 30-metre-high steel sculptures, The Kelpies which borrow the name of the mythical creature to associate with the strength and endurance of the horse. They were built as monuments to Scotland's horse powered industrial heritage; designed by sculptor Andy Scott and officially opened in April 2014.
Falkirk should be remembered for "Scotland's other national drink" (after whisky) officially introduced in 1901 – Barr’s Iron Brew now known as Irn Bru - but according to a document in the firm’s archives which indicates the drink was already enjoying strong sales by May 1899 produced by Robert Barr (Falkirk). Irn-Bru has long been the most popular soft drink in Scotland, with Coca-Cola second. It is also the third best-selling soft drink in the UK after Coca-Cola and Pepsi.
EXCURSION OPPORTUNITY - Thursday 15th June 2023
We’ve been busy working out different options for the excursion on Thursday 15th June.
We want to test the waters with costs and options before we go ahead and start making confirmed bookings and selling tickets.
All options are a full day and include:
- bus travel to and from the Premier Inn (pick-ups in Falkirk town centre and Park Hotel as well)
- a boat trip on the canal going round the Falkirk Wheel
- time at the Falkirk Wheel visitor centre
- a tour inside the Kelpies
If you are interested in attending this please inform us here by 3rd March
We’ve been busy working out different options for the excursion on Thursday 15th June.
We want to test the waters with costs and options before we go ahead and start making confirmed bookings and selling tickets.
All options are a full day and include:
- bus travel to and from the Premier Inn (pick-ups in Falkirk town centre and Park Hotel as well)
- a boat trip on the canal going round the Falkirk Wheel
- time at the Falkirk Wheel visitor centre
- a tour inside the Kelpies
If you are interested in attending this please inform us here by 3rd March