Logistics help

I do not know the routes personally, but when I research such outings, I start with Google Maps and put in my destination, click the “directions” arrow, and fill in my starting point. Voila! From there you can go to transit sites (ScotRail for example) to get options, ticket prices, etc.

Hi, Rebekah,

Getting to Stirling is very easy by train or bus. There is very frequent service from Edinburgh. Once you get to Stirling, it's about a 20 minute walk to the castle. It's uphill all the way, but the consolation is that it's downhill on the way back. Stirling is a beautiful town, although the central business area is a bit run down.

The Wallace Monument is in Bridge of Allan. It's about 2 1/2 miles from Stirling. You'll be able to see the monument from the battlements of the castle. To get to the monument, you can take the bus from the Goosecroft Road bus station, which is a short walk from the train station, and is just below the Thistles Center, which is about as close to an American mall as you're going to find in Scotland.

The bus service to the Wallace Monument is operated by First Bus. You can take either the 52 bus or the UL bus, which serves Stirling University. Both buses run very frequently, and drop you off near the base of the monument. It's a long climb to the top, but worth it. And again, it's downhill on the way back. Check with your bus driver to find out where the bus stop is for your return journey.

In Falkirk, you'll want to get off the train (if you're taking the train) at Falkirk Grahamston Station. There are two train stations in Falkirk. To get to the Kelpies, walk a couple of blocks to the bus station at the Asda supermarket in Upper Newmarket Street, then catch the First Bus route 2 bus for Borrowstoneness, which will be abbreviated Bo'ness on the bus route display. The bus does not go directly to the Kelpies - you'd need a taxi for that. Have the driver let you off at the closest point to the Kelpies, which I believe is the stadium, and from there it's about a mile to the Kelpies. Many Scots park at the stadium to avoid paying three pounds to park at the Kelpies.

To get to the Falkirk Wheel, return to the Asda and take the number 6 bus for Camelon. Most of the buses go directly to the Wheel. Some don't. You should look for one which goes to Tamfourhill, and the Falkirk Wheel Visitor Centre. The buses run about every half hour. Make sure that you get on the number 6 bus going the correct way. Buses going in the opposite direction will take you to Larbert and Stenhousemuir.

At one point a few years ago, there was a hop on - hop off bus which served both locations in Falkirk, as well as other sites. That service appears to have fallen by the wayside. If anyone has information on that service (route 100), let us know.

I hope that's enough information to get you started. If you have enough time in Falkirk, you should visit Callander House and the Antonine Wall, both of which are within walking distance of the train station.

Slainte!

Mike (Auchterless)

To get to the Kelpies, walk a couple of blocks to the bus station at
the Asda supermarket, then catch the First Bus route 2 bus for
Borrowstoneness, which will be abbreviated Bo'ness on the bus route
marker. The bus does not go directly to the Kelpies - you'd need a
taxi for that. Have the driver let you off at the closest point to the
Kelpies, which I believe is the stadium, and from there it's about a
mile to the Kelpies.

Or remain on the bus (or take route 8) and alight just before the Carron. There seem to be a footpath along the canal under the M9, so it should just be a 500 m walk or so to the Kelpies from there.

Thank you for the great information. Is this doable in one day? Or should I plan to visit Stirling one day and the other stops on another day?

Hi again, Rebekah,

It is possible to do all three in one day, but it would be a bit of a stretch. The number 38 bus leaves Edinburgh twice an hour, and travels to Stirling by way of Falkirk. As do most of the other buses, it stops at the Asda in Falkirk, so you could get your connecting buses there. However, the bus takes two hours and 20 minutes to reach Stirling, as opposed to 45 minutes by train.

As the train from Stirling to Falkirk Grahamston takes only about 20 minutes, and you want to try to do everything in one day, your best bet would be to take the train to Stirling first, explore there, then take the train back to Falkirk. You should save the Kelpies for last, as if you get there after dusk, they look pretty spectacular illuminated. However, if you want to take the Kelpies tour inside the structures, you need to be there before 5:00 p.m.

To avoid being rushed, particularly as you wanted to visit the Wallace Monument, you should really try to make two separate day trips.

Hope that helps!

Mike (Auchterless)

Thank you so much for the information. I think maybe the train to Stirling and the Wallace Monument one day., another day for the Kelpies and Falkirk.