Getting to Falkirk, Scotland
Our venue Studio 164 is located at 164 Grahams Road, Falkirk FK2 7BY. It’s a five-minute walk from Grahamston Station and there is a free car park around the corner at 74 Russel Street (FK2 7HP) on the junction of Gowan Street and another on nearby Bryson Street (FK2 7BT).
Falkirk is located in central Scotland and is well-connected for UK and international travellers. Upon arriving at Edinburgh Airport or Glasgow International Airport, both approximately 30 miles from Falkirk, you can reach Falkirk via rail, bus, or taxi services. Alternatively, car rentals are available from both airports.
We find that Edinburgh Airport is the most convenient as you can take a short tram ride (10 minutes) to Edinburgh Park and then catch a train to Falkirk Grahamston (20 minutes), which is a five-minute walk from the venue. From Glasgow International Airport, you can take the express 500 bus to George Square and then get a train from Glasgow Queen Street to Falkirk Grahamston or Falkirk High (the latter is a 15-minute walk from the venue).
There are plenty of accommodation options in Falkirk and several interesting sights in Falkirk itself. Stirling is a 15-minute train ride from Falkirk Grahamston, while Edinburgh and Glasgow can be easily reached by train in about 30 minutes. Below we highlight a few sights in the Falkirk area and nearby Stirling, which are well worth a visit while you’re here. You’ll find more information about Edinburgh, Glasgow and sights further afield in Scotland on the Visit Scotland website, should you wish to travel afterwards. We recommend Kintyre and the Isle of Islay!
Accommodation in Falkirk
There is a Premier Inn Central (pictured) is proving the most popular hotel locally with visitors to Studio 164 so far – the beds are reportedly very comfortable. It’s a 20-30-minute walk from the studio or 5-minutes in a taxi. There are also options on Booking.com and Airbnb for private rentals. Please note that the main streets of Falkirk near the studio are noisy (it is a large town with pubs and restaurants), so current visitors recommend you look for options in residential areas on side/surrounding streets. The venue postcode is FK2 7BY in case you’re searching for the nearest options.
Food and drink in Falkirk
There are plenty of options for food and drinks in Falkirk. Our favourite is Italian restaurant Cafe Corvina (pictured), which offers meat dishes as well as pasta and pizza. Behind the Wall does great Tex Mex and Brina’s Jamaican Kitchen is wonderful (but limited opening hours). Finnegans cafe is nice for breakfast and lunch too. Very near to the studio for lunch options are Sushi Negi & Noodle Bar and Italian deli Buon Appetito. There are lots more options of every cuisine you could imagine! Check out TripAdvisor ratings here. There is a large Tesco supermarket five minutes from the venue, along with David’s Kitchen (Spar), two minutes from the venue – which offer options for takeaway lunches or stocking up if you’re self-catering.
The Kelpies, Falkirk
The Kelpies are a pair of steel horse-heads, which form the eastern gateway of the Forth and Clyde Canal. Each head is 30 metres high. Designed by sculptor Andy Scott, they were completed in October 2013. They’re located about a 25-minute walk from the venue along a canal path (a route we enjoy walking regularly – we took the photo above in September 2024). They sit in an area of parkland – The Helix.
The Falkirk Wheel
The world’s only rotating boat lift, The Falkirk Wheel links the Forth and Clyde Canal to the Union Canal 35 metres above, using the same power it would take to boil eight kettles. Transforming the contaminated site of a former tar works, The Falkirk Wheel opened in 2002 and replaced a flight of 11 locks that once stepped the Union Canal down to the level of the Forth & Clyde, more than 100 feet below. Whereas travellers once had to open and close 44 lock gates to complete the journey between the two canals, The Falkirk Wheel allows vessels to transit between the two waterways in just a few minutes.
Rosebank Distillery, Falkirk
If you, or a travelling companion, enjoy a wee dram, you can enjoy a tour of the recently re-opened Rosebank Distillery, which is just across the street from the Premier Inn Central. After a four-year restoration project, the distillery reopened in June 2024, after a 30-year hiatus. Visitors can now get a tour of the refurbished site, which includes a new glass-fronted still room and dunnage-style warehouse, offering insights into the production of its renowned triple-distilled whisky.
Callendar House
Callendar House is a historic mansion set within Callendar Park. This estate is located near the Antonine Wall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a testament to Roman engineering and Scotland’s ancient past. Visitors can explore exhibits detailing the area’s Roman history, local heritage, and the role of the house throughout the centuries. Take a stroll around the parklands, stop in at the tearoom for a snack. If you’re lucky, there might be an art exhibition in progress when you visit. Mosaicist Cleo Mussi is amongst creatives to have held solo exhibitions at the house. It’s another of our favourite places to take a walk.
Stirling Castle
Stirling Castle, perched atop Castle Hill, is one of Scotland’s most iconic landmarks and a symbol of the nation’s turbulent history. Known as the “Key to Scotland,” it played a vital role in battles such as Bannockburn and has been the residence of Scottish kings and queens, including Mary Queen of Scots. Visitors can explore its restored royal apartments, Great Hall, and the Chapel Royal, alongside exhibits showcasing the castle’s rich heritage. With stunning views over the surrounding countryside, Stirling Castle offers a great journey into Scotland’s regal and military past.
The Wallace Momunent
The National Wallace Monument stands above the fields where William Wallace led his troops to victory at The Battle of Stirling Bridge and tells the story of the patriot and martyr who became Scotland’s national hero. The Monument is located just outside Stirling – frequent bus services operate from Goosecroft Road (opposite Stirling Railway Station). Services 52 and UL (operated by First) stop outside the Monument.
Made in Stirling
The Made in Stirling store showcases the work of over 100 local makers, including mosaics by Rhona Duffy of Mosaic & Glass. The store has work by a huge variety of makers styles, focusing on new creative talent from across the central belt of Scotland. If you’re looking for some handmade quality makes to take home as souvenirs or memorials of your time in Scotland, or you’d like to gift a loved one, this is the best place to shop.