Ashbank Guest House

Callendar House

by stevezero

Callendar House has played a major part in Scottish history over the years and is probably now the second most visited place in Fa.lkirk. It is a magnificent building modelled on a French chateau. A castle has been on the site since the 13thcentury.
The house was built by the great industrialist William Forbes in 1783 , and whose descendants lived here for close on 200 years.
It has now been restored by the council as a museum nad heritage centre. It has also various working exhibits.

Admisssion Free
(worth every penny!)

Big Wheel Keep On Turnin'

by stevezero

"Through The Ages"

Falkirk lies right in the heart of Scotland, a town with a rich commercial heritage which continues to this day. It is the largest town in present day Stirlingshire.
Today you can view the full spectrum of the town's history, from the Roman Antonine Wall, through the 19th Century splendour that was Callendar House, bang up to the present with the remarkable 21st century Falkirk Wheel, a modern answer to an old transport problem.

Wheel and Canal

by zizkov

A few more pictures of the Wheel and surroundings.

In this, one of the boats for the wheel trips is shown.

Boats moored on the Forth and Clyde by the Wheel. Not many people taking a boating holiday in this weather.

There is a visitor centre with explanations of the Wheel, and of the history of the canals. Various audio-visual displays, and a good view of the Wheel.. Ideal for our lousy weather.

Also shop and cafe.

Just along from the Wheel, the canal is frozen solid. The swan was trying to reach some bread without standing, as is slid about if it tried to move. Unfortunately wouldn't oblige me with a comedy swanfall.

Under the Wheel, there is work in progress on constructing a 3/4 scale model of the Charlotte Dundas, described as the world's first practical steamship.

The original was built at Westquarter, just a few miles from Falkirk.

Kind of alarming from this angle. Like something from a Futurist dystopia.

Yay, the swan has made it to a standing position without embarrassment (if, indeed, swans do get embarrassed).