My great, great grandfather was the keeper of the Queen’s swans on the Forth and Clyde Canal.
So it was with such joy that my partner and I were invited to take a short break in Falkirk.
The Falkirk Wheel and the now world-famous Kelpies were a huge part of what we wanted to do.
And what better way to explore the canal than on bikes hired and docked on the canalside.
The wider Falkirk area may seem to the passerby on the A9 as an industrial place, but stop for a moment and you’ll find it’s a force to be reckoned with for outdoor enthusiasts and history lovers.
This is a place I fit into, like visiting your favourite relative.
However, due to inclement weather our first stop at The Pineapple had to be quickly rethought. And our picnic – bought in Mathiesons the bakers – was eaten in the front seat of the car looking down the River Forth.
In spite of the weather, The Pineapple is a testament to Falkirk Bairns who can achieve what others tell them they can’t.
The Pineapple, now owned by the National Trust for Scotland, was built in 1761 by the Earl of Dunmore as a summerhouse where he could grow the exotic fruit.
It is quite amazing to see, as are the woods surrounding the property near the village of Airth.
Many, many moons ago, when there was a whisper that there would be Scotland’s biggest public arts project at the mouth of the Union Canal at Grangemouth, people laughed. An echo of the same laughter the Earl would have had back in the day.
But, as our wonderful tour guide and local woman, Kirstie Connel, explained while standing inside the Kelpies, endeavour and tenacity won the day.
A tribute to so many loose ends of Scotland’s cultural and industrial history, these “bad boys” as my dad, a truly great Denny man, describes them, rise out of the water to remind us anything can happen if only we can think it.
Irn-Bru is from Falkirk too – its factory was once on the edge of the canal.
From the Kelpies to the Falkirk Wheel is around £10 by taxi, two erstwhile Australian travellers told us.
They’d wanted to take in both sites ever since they’d seen them in a VisitScotland advertising campaign.
They came halfway round the world, when I am ashamed to say I had never taken the time to go to see the bad boys close up, or go on a canal cruise.
The principal of the Falkirk Wheel is based on an Archimedes’ Screw.
Powered by the energy it takes to boil the kettle eight times, the wheel takes the Scottish Canal tourist barge, along with other pleasure-boat barges, at a racing top speed of four miles an hour along from the Union to the Forth and Clyde Canal.
In my grandmother’s day she remembers grand Clydesdales pulling barges along the water.
We met a family from Mississippi who had come to the Falkirk Wheel as part of a package tour.
Asked why they came to this part of Scotland, they too said the canal was an important part of their trip.
And they genuinely loved being there. They laughed at every gentle joke as we raced along the canal and through one of its famous tunnels – taking in the rolling hills of the Trossachs around us.
A short cycle along the canal allows you to take in the peaceful countryside.
The bikes are superb. We are not wee folk in stature or girth and we ploughed along, going off road at bits – and these sturdy bikes were simply invincible.
After our activities we enjoyed Irn-Bru chicken wings and other outstandingly delicious Scottish Tapas at the excellent Christie’s on Vicar Street. Not only superb food and drinks but great staff.
It was a place of passion.
As was Klondyke Garden Centre for a breakfast, and the Milk Bar for afternoon refreshments.
We also enjoyed burgers and ice cream at Behind the Wall, before a good rake in Falkirk town centre’s independent shops.
Before the Kelpies waved us off after our short stay, we touched their manes wishing we could stay for longer to explore more.
TRAVEL FACTS
Christie’s, Vicar Street, Falkirk, £90 for food for three generous course for two with drinks, a cheese board and coffee
Behind the Wall, 13 Melville Street, Falkirk, £45 for burgers with sides and drinks for two.
Forth Bikes, £25 deposit that is refunded. Trips: three hours for £7.20, pay per ride £2.40 for 30minutes, monthly membership £12 – first 45 minutes of each ride included.
The Milk Barn, Shieldhill, ice cream and coffee £12 for two people.
Zetland Park, free.
Antonine Wall, various locations free.
The Pineapple, Dunmore near Airth. Free entry to the grounds.
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