Just 23 miles from Edinburgh in the Forth Valley is Falkirk, a medium-sized town with a populous surrounding area in the Falkirk Council Area. The city was once center of the iron and steel industries, but now relies more on retail and tourism, and was once voted as Scotland’s most beautiful town. Historically, Falkirk is known for being the town where William Wallace was defeated by Kind Edward I of England.

Falkirk is home to the largest equine statues in the world, The Kelpies, as well as the only rotating boat lift anywhere on earth. Blackness Castle is one of the most popular attractions in Falkirk. The 15th-century castle was constructed to resemble a ship and sits on the promontory, jutting out into the Firth of Forth. Visitors to Falkirk often spend the day boating on the canals where they can use the boat lift or cycling on the National Cycle Network Routes and hiking the woodland trails. You can also take private tours of the Outlander television show filming locations, castles, and Highlands with professional guides.