Start your trip to the area by experiencing 2,000 years of history at Kinneil House, Museum and Estate. From Roman times to the industrial revolution, Kinneil has had an important part to play in Scottish history.

Bo’ness was the starting point of the Roman Antonine Wall which ran from Bo’ness on the Firth of Forth, through Falkirk, to Old Kilpatrick on the River Clyde. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the grounds of Kinneil Estate feature the remnants of a Roman Fortlet as well as traces of the wall itself, while the small museum has Roman artefacts on display.

Kinneil House and Estate dates back to the time of King Robert I (the Bruce) of Scotland and much of the house you see today dates back to the 16th and 17th centuries. You will also find the remains of the engineer James Watt’s workshop, where he worked from 1769 to 1773 as he developed the prototype of his revolutionary steam engine.

The inside of Kinneil House is only open on select days and only partially accessible to wheelchair users. However, the ground floor of the nearby museum is fully accessible and has an iPad with images of rooms inside Kinneil House. The paths around the estate, including those that run near to the Roman Fortlet are fully accessible to wheelchair and powerchair users and has ample on-site parking.

You can now also view the interior of Kinneil House in a 360 tour which you will find on the Falkirk Explored App which is available for both Android and iOS.

Dylan's tips

Getting on and off the trains is no problem at all and the staff were so helpful. The café had a great choice of food. Just watch out for the height of the tables. They were tricky for me, but may be ok for others.

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Euan's Guide

A short drive from Kinneil House, you’ll find the Bo’ness & Kinneil Railway. Get on board and take a trip back in time in one of the
beautiful historic carriages on a vintage steam or diesel train along the shores of the Forth. A firm favourite with film makers, you might recognise the Railway from the hit TV series Outlander or movies such as The 39 Steps or the Railway Man.

The railway is run by volunteers from the Scottish Railway Preservation Society and is open from April to October, with special events throughout the year and at Christmas. If you’re visiting at the weekend, enjoy an afternoon tea onboard as part of your leisurely 10-mile round trip, or you can have a spot of lunch at the station café before visiting the gift shop. Bo’ness & Kinneil Railway is also home to Scotland’s largest railway museum, making it a must for all train enthusiasts. With lovingly restored steam engines, carriages, signals and even an old Travelling Post Office (mail train) there’s lots for everyone to enjoy.

The car park at the railway is large and has disabled parking spaces at the station entrance. There is a ramp for wheelchair users into the station and portable ramps provide access to specially adapted train carriages. The museum is 500 metres from the station and accessed using a flat path. However, some wheelchair users may need either extra assistance or ask station staff for vehicle transport to the museum due to the rough path surface. There is a disabled toilet in the station building and in the museum.

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Euan's Guide

Please pre-book your tickets for train journeys. Check here for full information on what facilities are available at the time of your visit.

Finish off your day with a trip to Scotland’s oldest purpose-built cinema. This vintage picture palace first opened in 1912 and has been lovingly restored as a working cinema in the heart of the community. Winner of Best Cinema Experience in Scotland 2019, it screens both modern blockbusters as well as older favourites and art house movies. It is also home to the world-famous Silent Film Festival that runs every year in March.

The ground floor of the Hippodrome is fully accessible to wheelchair users, with level access to the main entrance and three dedicated wheelchair spaces in the main auditorium. There is on-street disabled parking and dedicated disabled parking spaces in the public car parks nearby.

The Hippodrome holds regular screenings for young people with autism and/or hypersensitivity and their families. The venue also caters for people with hearing and sight impairments and has a programme of captioned and audio described screenings for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.

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Euan's Guide

Falkirk is an area rich in history. From the fortifications of the Roman Antonine Wall to the site of historic battles involving William Wallace or Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Jacobites, Falkirk has played a central role in Scottish history. The industrial revolution shaped the town of today with its canals and iron works, and world-famous inventors James Watt and John Logie Baird found inspiration here as they developed their revolutionary inventions. Start your day with a visit to Falkirk Town Centre to find out more.

Falkirk Trinity Church, the ‘Faw Kirk’ that gave Falkirk its name, and its graveyard are in the town centre. Seek out the tomb of Sir John De Graeme, who fell in the first Battle of Falkirk in 1297 while fighting alongside Sir William Wallace. Other graves of the fallen from that battle can also be found in the graveyard. Then take a short walk or roll to The Steeple located right in the heart of the pedestrianised town centre. Completed in 1814, inside there will be a new exhibition about The Steeple’s history as well as maps of the Falkirk Heritage Trail that takes you round 25 sites of historical interest within walking distance of the town centre.

Disabled parking is available at the Church, in public car parks and there are accessible toilets in the nearby Howgate Shopping Centre.

Dylan's tips

I found most of Falkirk Trinity Church accessible and the staff were really helpful. A must for those interested in history! Access to the nearby Steeple is good on the ground floor and there is plenty to see. The upstairs of the Steeple isn’t accessible, but they are installing a 3D viewer to let you see the views from the upper levels. The Falkirk Heritage Trail goes around the town and is mostly flat. Just watch out for some of the cobbles in the side streets. Try to avoid going on a tour before 11am as delivery vans are still loading/unloading in pedestrianised areas, which makes it a bit trickier to manoeuvre.

After exploring the town centre, head to Callendar House, a stunning French château-styled country house set in its own parklands. It’s a short drive or 20-minute walk or roll from Falkirk town centre.

With parts of the house over 600 years old, the stunning turreted exterior of the building dates from the 19th century. Free to access, visit the permanent exhibition telling ‘The Story of Callendar House’ from the 11th to the 19th century. Other exhibitions include ‘The Antonine Wall, Rome’s Northern Frontier’, and ‘Falkirk: Crucible of Revolution 1750-1850’. There’s also a working Georgian kitchen offering visitors samples of early 19th-century food, the Park Gallery art exhibition space, a gift shop and Callendar House Tea Room serving hot drinks and refreshments.

Outside, the beautiful parklands are home to sections of the ancient Roman Antonine Wall, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Many of the paths around the grounds are flat and easily accessible by wheelchair or powerchair users. As a popular local park, there’s also an accessible, Roman themed children’s playpark and a boating lake.

There are two car parks at either end of Callendar Park, and dedicated disabled parking spaces are at the East end of the house. The gift shop and main hallway can be accessed using temporary ramps, or there is a side entrance that provides level access into the ground floor. A small lift provides access to the two stories above, and there is a disabled toilet.

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Euan's Guide

Dylan's tips

Double check the dimensions of the lift and make sure you ask for ramps to help you get into the main reception.

For those with an interest in Mary, Queen of Scots or the Jacobite uprisings, a visit to Alloa Tower is a must. Cross the Clackmannanshire Bridge to visit the ‘Wee County’ and find the ancestral seat of the Erskine family, the Earls of Mar and Kellie, who were loyal supporters of the Stuart monarchs.

The imposing tower was built in the 14th century to guard a strategically important ferry crossing on the River Forth and is the largest surviving medieval keep in Scotland. Mary, Queen of Scots and her son, James VI and I, both spent part of their childhoods here under the guardianship of the Erskine family. Alloa Tower was also the home of John Erskine the 6th Earl of Mar, leader of the 1715 Jacobite Rising. He refurbished the tower, creating the opulent 18th century interiors on display today. Those who are able to climb to the top of the tower are rewarded with spectacular views of nine Scottish counties on a clear day.

Alloa Tower is open from Friday to Monday from April to October. The grounds are open all year round and free to visit. The ground floor, shop and refreshment area are all accessible to wheelchair users. However, there are no lifts to the upper floors. Part of the Tower Trail, you can take a drive to see other towers in the local area. Only Castle Campbell is open to visitors on a regular basis.

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Discover Clacks

The area around Stirling is steeped in the history of the medieval Scottish Wars of Independence and no visit is complete without a trip to The Battle of Bannockburn Experience. Fought between King Robert I (the Bruce) of Scotland and King Edward II of England, Bannockburn is a pivotal battle that took place in 1314 and saw the Scottish forces defeat the English army despite being outnumbered two to one.

Opened in 2014, 700 years after the battle took place, The Battle of Bannockburn experience provides you a historical account of the battle.  It gives you the chance to watch scenes of the battle and learn more about the rival Kings and their armies in the immersive part of the tour.  The pre booked tour is approximately an hour long. There is also a café and gift shop and the grounds, featuring a statue of Robert the Bruce, are free to explore.

The Battle of Bannockburn Experience is two miles outside of Stirling City Centre and can be reached by car or by bus from Stirling. There are six accessible parking spaces and there is level access to the visitor centre, parkland and battleground from the car park.

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After spending the morning reliving the Battle of Bannockburn, head into Stirling to The Engine Shed. It’s a dedicated building conservation centre run by Historic Environment Scotland. Learn all about Scotland’s built heritage through fun interactive exhibits, 3D theatre, augmented reality experiences and hands-on activities. Built all on one level, access is free, and the café is the perfect place to enjoy lunch or snacks before moving on.

The Engine Shed is located near Stirling station and, if you are arriving by train or bus, can be accessed using the bridge over the railway line which has lifts at both sides. Disabled parking is available at the Engine Shed and the nearby public carpark.

*Please check the website for opening times.

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Euan's Guide

Dylan's tips

The Engine Shed has really accessible toilets, shop, displays and auditorium. It has a fantastic visitor centre and staff. The table height in the café could be an issue for some.

The Smith Art Gallery and Museum is just around the corner from Stirling Castle and the perfect place to learn more about the rich cultural history and royal connections of the area. Founded in 1874 by Thomas Stuart Smith, an artist and collector, it’s three galleries are home to over 40,000 objects, including local archaeological artefacts, artwork and temporary exhibitions. Here, you’ll find the world's oldest football, which may or may not have belonged to Mary Queen of Scots. You’ll discover  how Scottish democracy was founded in the streets of Stirling and you can even learn a trade.

Take a look in the shop and take a break at the on-site café which serves light lunches and refreshments. If the weather is nice, take the chance to explore the two acre biodiversity garden, which is also home to outdoor exhibits such as the Gilbert and Sullivan Gate and a range of outdoor musical instruments.

The Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum is accessible through a side ramp entrance. When you arrive, ring the bell and one of the staff will welcome you in. Galleries 2 and 3 are on one level and there is a wheelchair lift which take you to the lower level to visit the Café, Gallery 1, the lecture theatre and the fully accessible toilet.

If you are visiting for a special lecture or event, an Induction loop system can be provided. Bright signage is in place to help you find your way around the building.

The museum is free to visit and open Thursday – Sunday.  

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Sitting on ancient volcanic rock high above Stirling City Centre, Stirling Castle dominates the landscape for miles around. Spend the afternoon here, finding out about its ancient origins and fascinating history as a military stronghold and opulent royal residence. The site of the Royal court in the 16th century, give yourself plenty of time to explore the childhood home of both Mary, Queen of Scots and King James VI and I and enjoy the spectacular views from its battlements.

While much of the castle is paved with cobblestones, wheelchair accessible courtesy vehicles are available on request to help those who struggle with its inclines and steps. Many parts of the castle, including the Royal Palace of James V and the Great Hall, are fully accessible, and an Access Gallery gives visitors with limited mobility the chance to experience parts of the castle that they are unable to access directly. An audio descriptive guide is also available.

The castle car park has five, free accessible parking spaces and an accessible courtesy vehicle is there to transport those who need additional help from the esplanade into the castle.

Euan's Guide

Dylan's tips

The staff were amazing - so helpful! As it’s such an old building, you just have to watch out for the cobbles.

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If you think that Doune Castle looks familiar, then that’s because you’ve probably seen it before. From classic Monty Python movies to global phenomenons such as Game of Thrones and Outlander, Doune Castle has appeared in them all. A popular destination for fans of those films and TV shows, beat the bus tours and get there early to spend the morning exploring a medieval stronghold with a fascinating history before it became a favourite filming location.

A short drive from Stirling, the castle occupies a strategically important site on the River near the village of Doune. Built in the late 14th and early 15th century by Robert Stewart, the 1st Duke of Albany, Governor of Scotland and ‘uncrowned King of Scotland’, it was an official royal castle from the early 15th century until the early 17th century before eventually falling into ruin.

The on-site castle car park has two accessible parking spaces and is 275 metres from the castle entrance. The path to the castle is accessible with care for wheelchair and power chair users. Those with additional mobility needs can be dropped off at the castle gate on arrangement. The courtyard is accessed via a wooden ramp and cobbled tunnel, and the ground floor exhibition has level access.

Keep checking the website for opening and booking information.

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Euan's Guide

The Trossachs Pier at Loch Katrine is a forty-minute drive from Doune Castle. Enjoy the rugged scenery as you travel west to the birthplace of infamous Scottish outlaw and folk hero, Rob Roy MacGregor, and the home of the historic Victorian steamship Sir Walter Scott.

Follow in the footsteps of Victorian tourists to take a cruise down Loch Katrine. The setting for Sir Walter Scott’s poem ‘The Lady of the Lake’, the steamship named after the famous writer began sailing the Loch in 1899 and is still in use today. A smaller boat named ‘Lady of the Lake’ also sails all year round. However, many modern tourists are as interested in the Loch as a location for the filming of the TV series Outlander as they are for the romantic poems of Scott or the dramatic stories of Rob Roy MacGregor.

The Trossachs Pier has a large carpark with accessible parking at both the Booking Office and Cycle Hire. There is an accessible disabled toilet near the car park. After a spot of lunch at the onsite tearoom, cruise the Loch on one of the two ships that sail its waters or explore the north shoreline using the smooth, tarmaced road. The historic Sir Walter Scott has wheelchair access but only sails at busier times of the year. The smaller boat, the Lady of the Lake, isn’t accessible to wheelchair users but sails all year round. To help people with mobility issues see more of the area, wheelchairs are available to borrow free of charge and mobility scooters can be hired for a small fee.

Keep checking the website for details of work being carried out on the Sir Walter Scott and current opening and booking information.

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