Falkirk
Locator map for the Scottish administrative region of Falkirk.
Unitary authority in central Scotland, created from the former district of the same name in 1996 from part of the former Central region.
Area
297 sq km/115 sq mi
Towns Falkirk (administrative headquarters), Grangemouth |
Physical
centrally located between Edinburgh and Glasgow, this low-lying area borders the southern side of the Firth of Forth; River Avon flows through
Features
Forth and Clyde and Union canals; Roman Rough Castle fort and Antonine Wall
Industries
chemicals and petrochemicals, bus building, soft drinks, toffees
Agriculture
some dairy and arable farming
Population
(2001) 145,200
Economy The area has a broad economic base, but is particularly renowned for chemical industries. |
Other features The remains of the Antonine Wall (AD 142) and a Roman road, can be seen at Rough Castle, west of Falkirk town. The Scottish Railway Preservation Society is at Bo'ness. |
Environment There are several Sites of Special Scientific Interest and one country park. |
Administrative history Prior to 1975, the area was part of the county of Stirlingshire. |
Falkirk
| Administrative headquarters of Falkirk unitary authority, Scotland, 37 km/23 mi west of Edinburgh; population (2001) 32,400. A former iron-founding centre, Falkirk has brewing, distilling, and bus-building industries. Edward I defeated William Wallace here on 22 July 1298, and Charles Edward Stuart defeated an English army here on 17 January 1746. |
| Two canals pass the town: the Forth and Clyde to the north, and the Union Canal to the south (now closed to navigation). A Millennium Link project to reopen navigation on both canals includes a Millennium Wheel to allow boats to transfer from one to the other. The port of Grangemouth is 4 km/2.5 mi to the east. |
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