Best Things To Do In Falkirk For A Perfect Day Trip

Are you planning a trip to Scotland and wondering what you can do on a day trip from Glasgow or Edinburgh?

If you like engineering marvels and love horses or great sculpture, then a trip to Falkirk can be a great option.

On my last visit to Scotland, I went on a day trip to Falkirk as a stop between Glasgow and Edinburgh.

And although it didn’t turn out as I had expected, I think it is a great alternative as a day trip out of either city.

In this blog post, I share the top things to do in Falkirk during a visit to Scotland.

Getting to Falkirk

Getting to Falkirk is easy; just take a train from Glasgow or Edinburgh.

Falkirk makes for a great day trip destination during your visit to Scotland.

Even better, you can make it a stop when traveling to or from Glasgow and Edinburgh, like I did.

Falkirk has two train stations; the most convenient is Falkirk Grahamston Station.

The train ride from Glasgow takes 20–25 minutes, and the ride from Edinburgh’s Waverley Station takes around 35 minutes. This makes it easy to fit Falkirk into your schedule.

You can take a taxi or Uber to the destination of your choice from the train station.

Of course, you can also drive or take a taxi directly from either city.

Driving gives you the flexibility to visit additional places that would otherwise require additional taxi rides.

An Unexpected Companion

I had been looking forward to visiting Falkirk for years.

The image of the Kelpies at Helix Park and riding the engineering wonder that is the Falkirk Wheel had been on my bucket list for quite some time.

But, as often happens, the unexpected occurred.

In my case, it was a freezing cold day—not common for the time of year I visited (November).

Frost, my unexpected companion, made the ride from Glasgow to Falkirk beautiful and magical.

But I found that it complicated my day greatly.

The Falkirk Wheel

The Falkirk Wheel is a rotating boat lift that connects the Forth & Clyde Canal with the Union Canal.

It raises boats 79 feet (24 meters) from the Forth & Clyde Canal to an aqueduct, which then rises another 36 feet (11 meters) to reach the Union Canal.

It’s the only rotating boat lift of its kind in the world.

Riding this marvel of engineering had been a dream of mine for years, so my first stop upon arriving in Falkirk was the wheel.

To my disappointment, the water was frozen, and the wheel was closed for the day.

The beautiful frost that had made my train trip magical was now the reason I couldn’t ride the Falkirk Wheel.

Being flexible and not having many other options, I took advantage of the time to appreciate this engineering marvel from the outside.

Then, I returned to the main building, where I read about the wheel’s history and construction.

They also have a cute store with many local items, and since I wasn’t sure when I’d get a proper lunch, I decided to have a late breakfast at their excellent and charming cafeteria.

Despite my disappointment, the Falkirk Wheel is absolutely worth your time and is a must-do in Falkirk.

Managed by Scottish Canals, you can get more information regarding hours of operation, accessibility, and advanced tickets on their website.

The Kelpies

Visiting The Kelpies on a Frosty Day

On a warmer day, the best way to get from the Falkirk Wheel to The Helix, where the famous Kelpies reside, is to walk or cycle along the Forth & Clyde Canal.

The distance between these two major attractions is just 5.4 miles (8.7 km).

It’s a point-to-point walk along the canal, so it’s easy to follow without getting lost.

It takes about an hour and twenty minutes to enjoy the beauty of the canal and the surrounding areas as you walk from one attraction to the other.

If you’re driving into Falkirk, there’s parking at both the Kelpies and the Falkirk Wheel. On a beautiful day, you can park at one of the attractions, walk to the other, and then return.

If you’d like to cycle the route between the Kelpies and the Wheel, bike rentals are available seasonally at The Helix. Renting a bike is a fun way to enjoy the canal and cover more ground.

Since the day was so cold, the employees at the wheel recommended I take a taxi instead of walking, as it was bitterly cold and windy.

They called a taxi for me, and off I went to The Helix to see the Kelpies.

The taxi drops you off at the car park, and you walk into the park. I have to say, these beauties did not disappoint.

Over 98 feet (30 meters) in height and made of steel, these two horse heads are stunning.

You can walk around each sculpture and get a close-up look at the workmanship and detail—incredible!

I spent about an hour, maybe a little more, exploring the Kelpies. Then, I visited the cafe for a light snack and a hot chocolate before heading back.

Best Time to Visit Falkirk

While Falkirk can be visited year-round, the best time to go is from late spring to early autumn (May through September).

During these months, the weather is milder, and the canal paths are more enjoyable for walking or cycling.

The attractions are open most of the year, but keep in mind that extreme weather—like the frost I encountered—can cause closures, particularly at the Falkirk Wheel.

Other Places to Visit in Falkirk

I had planned to visit a few more places in Falkirk, but given the weather, I decided to cut my trip short after seeing the two things at the top of my bucket list.

Nevertheless, the following sites are also great options to round out your day in Falkirk:

• Falkirk Steeple – Over 144 feet high, the Steeple has been a landmark in Falkirk since 1814, at one point being used as the town jail.
• The center of the old town in Manse – you’ll find Falkirk Trinity Church and the Faw Kirk Historic Graveyard.
• Callendar House & Park – a 14th century, French chateau style house, complete with working Georgian kitchen, visitor tea room, and a kids play park.

Parting Tips

Ever had a trip that didn’t go quite as planned? Sometimes, the best moments come from embracing the unexpected.

I didn’t get to ride the Falkirk Wheel like I’d hoped, but standing before the Kelpies, glowing under a frosty sky, made up for it in the most magical way.

If you’re planning a day trip to Falkirk, I highly recommend driving if you’re comfortable behind the wheel. Taxis and Ubers can really add up and might make the experience more expensive than anticipated.

I’d also suggest visiting the Falkirk Wheel first and saving the Kelpies for later in the day. As an alternative, consider returning after dark to see the Kelpies beautifully illuminated at night.

Have you had a similar experience where plans shifted, but the memories were still amazing?

We’d love to hear from you—leave a comment below and share your story with the community!