We are taking the Rick Steves Scotland Tour which ends in Edinburrgh on Wednesday morning. We are flying out of Glasgow on the following Sunday. I would like to see the Kelpies and the Falkirk Wheel but have not found any easy way to do that without a car. I am looking for suggestions. Also, I would appreciate any recommendations for accommodations in Glasgow. Thanks
Posted by
Lynnwood, Washington
8374 posts
Falkirk Wheel is quite easy on public transport. Take the train to either of the Falkirk stations and transfer to bus #3 (stops right outside visitor center) or take a taxi from train station. It is about a 5 minute ride by taxi.
The Kelpies also have bus connections.
The Premier Inn is my go to hotel chain in the UK.
Posted by
OP
5 posts
Thank you Carol. Is Falkirk more accessible from Edinburgh or Glasgow?
Posted by
Delaware
1376 posts
Hi, Lois,
Falkirk is closer to Edinburgh, but it's convenient from both cities. There is an excellent Premier Inn in Camelon, which is a suburb of Falkirk. It is right on the bank of the Forth & Clyde Canal, so if you stay there, you can actually walk along the canal towpath to the Wheel, then take the number 3 bus over to the Kelpies. Lemetti's Fish & Chip Shop is a short walk from the Premier Inn.
In Falkirk, you can visit Callendar House and its gardens. The Antonine Wall runs right through the gardens of Callendar House. The kitchen of Callendar House was used for the Outlander scene where Murtagh cuts off the Duke of Sandringham's head.
If you take the train from Glasgow or Edinburgh to Falkirk, and pay for a standard ticket, you can actually sit in first class without paying extra. There's not a whole lot of difference, though.
All the best,
Mike (Auchterless)
Posted by
Tampa, FL
545 posts
I took the Best of Scotland tour 2 years ago - it was great! We stopped at the Kelpies on the way back from Stirling Castle on the last full day of the tour for about 30 minutes. It doesn't seem to show on the itinerary, so you may want to check with your specific tour to see if a stop at the Kelpies is included. We stopped for about 30 minutes or so. It was raining, but still worth it!