Falkirk - Stay & Play in the heart of Scotland

Cycling in the Falkirk Area

There are several main cycling routes in Falkirk, namely along the Canal towpaths where you can cycle from The Wheel to both Edinburgh and Glasgow, and other off road routes.

Remember that the towpaths do get busy and are narrow in places, so take extra care. Please take note of the Waterways Code (see below) issued by British Waterways.

Falkirk Wheel to Edinburgh
From the Falkirk Wheel you firstly have to go through the Falkirk Tunnel which is 695 metres long. It is dark inside the tunnel and although it is necessary to dismount your bike it is also advisable to use bike lights.

The first part of the route along the towpath is fairly uneven until you reach the Avon Aqueduct. Here you will need to dismount again as the path crosses over.

Continue on until you reach Linlithgow where you cycle through the town and then back onto the towpath until you reach Ratho which is a good place to stop for a rest. The Bridge Inn serves morning coffees and bar lunches.

Carry on along the towpath and you will pass over the Edinburgh City Bypass. When you reach the high aqueduct which crosses the Water of Leith you should dismount again then carry on taking care on narrow sections. You are now approaching the end of the route as you cycle towards Fountainbridge, passing through Harrison Park and the Leamington Lift bridge.

Falkirk Wheel to Glasgow
Join the towpath at the Falkirk Wheel and proceed onwards to Kelvin Valley which is particularly scenic. When you arrive at Kirkintilloch you need to go through an urban area before arriving at The Stables pub where you can get refreshments and food.

From here you will pass cemeteries and golf courses as you enter the east of Glasgow.

Waterways Code

• Avoid cycling where your tyres would damage the path or verges (eg. When wet or soft).
• Consider others: Anglers, walkers and boaters also use the towpaths.
• Give way to others on the towpath and warn them ofyour approach. A polite 'hello' and 'thank you' mean a lot.
• Watch out for anglers' tackle and give them time to move it before you pass.
• Dismount under low or blind bridges.
• Never race one another or perform speed trials.
• We recommend that you have third party liability insurance and equip your bike with a bell or equivalent.
• Access paths can be steep and slippery. Join or leave the towpath with care.
• You must get off and push your cycle beneath low or blind bridges, and where the path is very narrow.
• If you really have to cycle the towpath after dark, use front and rear lights (you will need lights on this route for the Falkirk Tunnel).
• Thorny hedge trimmings can cause a puncture. We recommend Kevlar-reinforced tyres.
• Only cycle on stretches where it is permitted. If you are organising a group cycle ride you must apply for permission.

Fishing in Falkirk

Opportunities for fishing in the Falkirk area include the River Carron by Denny and Millhall Reservoir by Falkirk.

River Carron
Brown Trout, Sea Trout and Salmon can be fished for between the 15th March and the 16th October. Sunday fishing is for brown trout only.

Season permits can be bought from:
TK Paton
36 Main Street
Larbert
Tel: 01324 556 336

Boating and Cruising on the Canals

Forth & Clyde Canal
The canal, completed in 1790, stretched from Bowling on the Clyde to the new town of Grangemouth on the Forth, a distance of some 35 miles. Scenes from the Falkirk area's industrial past cluster along the canal, and there are several interesting inns and restaurants along its length, including a restored stable at Underwood and a converted distillery bonded warehouse at Rosebank. There is also the Union Inn, built by the canal company to provide refreshment for travellers transferring between the Union and Forth & Clyde canals, which met at a large basin in front of the inn.

Union Canal
This contour canal was begun in 1818 and ran from Edinburgh to Falkirk. It was completed in 1822 by the construction of a system of locks stepping down to join the Forth and Clyde canal at Port Downie, west of Lock 16. In the last mile of this waterway was built the first communications tunnel in Scotland. The towing path enables visitors to view the stalactites which have formed over the years. Another impressive feature is the Avon Aqueduct, near Muiravonside Country Park. It stands 86 feet above the River Avon and carried the canal in a cast iron trough on an elegant series of arches.

Restoration of the Canals
As a result of the Millennium Project and the creation of the Falkirk Wheel the Forth & Clyde and Union canals were returned to full navigation in 2001 allowing people to travel from Edinburgh to Glasgow and from the North Sea to the Atlantic. As well as visiting the Wheel itself there are a variety of other activities surrounding the canals such as boat trips and hire, cycling and walking.

The restored Forth & Clyde and Union Canals offer various opportunities to get on the water.

The Bonny Barge
A traditional canal boat, takes passengers on boat trips from Lock 16 to the Falkirk Wheel and beyond.

Tel: 07720 866397

Standing Waves
At Bonnybridge you can hire canoes and kayaks.

Tel: 01324 635951

The Seagull Trust
Provide cruises on The Govan Seagull for up to 12 people with disabilities.

Tel: 01324 624733

The Falkirk Wheel
A number of luxury holiday barges and cruisers for full week or week-end hire are based at The Falkirk Wheel. Operators include Black Prince Boats (01527 575115), Capercaillie Cruisers (0131 449 3288), Alvechurch Waterway Holidays and Pedro Boat Hire (01324 671217).

And, of course, at The Falkirk Wheel you can take the spectacular boat trip on The Falkirk Wheel itself and be lifted 35 metres on the worlds only rotating boatlift.

Pre-booking is highly recommended on 08700 500 208.

Golfing in Falkirk

Whether an experienced golfer, or a novice simply looking for a fun day out, the Falkirk area has a course for everyone. There are a wide range of parkland, hilly and links-type courses with both 9 and 18 holes, with many offering stunning views of the surrounding hills and valleys.

Golf Clubs

Bonnybridge Golf Club
Larbert Road
Bonnybridge
Tel: 01324 812 822

A parkland course with 9 holes, 6060 yards.

Callendar Park
By Callendar House
Falkirk
Tel: 01324 503 770

9 hole par 3 course.

Falkirk Tryst Golf Club
86 Burnhead Road
Larbert
Tel: 01324 562 415

Flat links-type sandy soil course with 18 holes, 6053 yards.

Falkirk Golf Club
Carmuirs
136 Stirling Road
Camelon
Falkirk, FK2 7YP
Tel: 01324 611061

Challenging parkland course with 18 holes, good practice facilities.

Glenbervie Golf Club
Stirling Road
Larbert
Tel: 01324 562 605

A challenging parkland course with 18 holes, 6423 yards.

Grangemouth Golf Club
Polmonthill
Polmont
Tel: 01324 503 840

A challenging parkland course with 18 holes, 6527 yards.

Polmont Golf Club
Manualrigg
Maddiston
Falkirk
Tel: 01324 711 277

Hilly course with 9 holes, 3031 yards.

Polmonthill Ski Slope

Polmonthill offers a 100 metre Dendix slope and 25 metre beginner's slope. A button tow is provided and a misting sprinkler system is used to keep things slippery. Equipment is available for hire and both ski and snowboarding lessons can be booked. Vending machines are situated in the centre.

Website: view the website

Tel. 01324 503835