Visit the Falkirk area in 2026

Great events are taking place near Spoke ‘n’ Boot in 2026. Stay with us and enjoy a warm welcome and great accommodation. We’re an ideal base for a short break in the area.

Some local events in 2026

Travel and location

All venues are easy to reach from Spoke ‘n’ Boot.

We are a short walk or cycle from Falkirk High Station. From here, you can take a fast train to Linlithgow (with a bus link to Bo’ness and Blackness) or head off to events in Edinburgh or Glasgow.

You could even combine a trip to the Edinburgh Festivals with an affordable stay with us.

Check the VisitFalkirk and VisitWestLothian websites for the latest updates on forthcoming events.

Book your stay with us.

Explore the John Muir Way

Ready for an adventure? Why not explore the John Muir Way?

It’s a 134-mile trail across central Scotland. You can complete the full adventure in one go or split it into shorter sections. It should take about 10 days to walk the complete trail (or three to seven to cross by bike).

The route links Helensburgh in the west with Dunbar in the east. It is fully signposted for walking and cycling.

Spoke ‘n’ Boot is located around the half-way mark, on the outskirts of Falkirk. It makes a great place for you to stop off on your walk or cycle.

Check out our full John Muir Way guide for useful links, videos and more.

Please note – at the time of writing (spring 2026) – the main John Muir Way website is offline, with the web address pointing to a page on the John Muir Trust website.

Seasonal events at The Falkirk Wheel

The Falkirk Wheel – a short walk from Spoke ‘n’ Boot – is organising some great events over the next few months.

Book and get full details via Scottish Canals and booking site Itison.

During weekends in October, the venue is running “Witch and Wizard Workshops“. On offer will be “magical fun for all witches and wizards” aged two and older. Youngers can enjoy slime making, pumpkin decorating, face painting, Halloween colouring and puzzles. Mini golf vouchers will also be available.

The Wheel is also hosting “Pumpkin Archery” sessions – again at weekends during October – for ages eight and over. Spooky fun for all the family is promised.

The Wheel is staging “Burke and Hare Boat Trips“ on 31 October, 1 November and 2 November 2025. William Burke had a hand in building the Falkirk (Canal) Tunnel (near Falkirk High Station), before he got into grave robbing and murderous acts with William Hare.

Finally, a much-nicer character is heading for the Wheel in December. Santa is taking part in “Breakfast with Santa” days on December 6, 7, 13, 14, 20-23. Ticket holders will each get breakfast, elf workshop activities, a story and a present from Father Christmas himself.

The Falkirk Wheel

Contact The Falkirk Wheel visitor centre

Tel: 0300 373 0868

(March to October: 10am – 5.30pm)
(November to February: 10am – 3.30pm)

tfw_info@scottishcanals.co.uk 

New walking trail to explore the Roman Antonine Wall

Fancy stepping back in time? Well, now you can.

There’s a new digital guide to help you walk the Roman Antonine Wall – from Bo’ness to Old Kilpatrick – passing close to Spoke ‘n’ Boot here in Falkirk.

Check out The Antonine Wall Trail

The new trail is 75 km or 47 miles. It largely follows the line of the Antonine Wall (built of turf on a stone base around 142 AD).

You can access all the mapping, and information, on a special web page.

If you fancy walking the Wall it should take you around three to four days to complete. You can also book into Spoke ‘n’ Boot for a break in the Falkirk area.

Currently the new trail isn’t physically waymarked – with signs along the route – but you can download guides and maps from the Trail website.

The new walking trail leads walkers over a mix of terrains – from pavements and canal towpaths to forest and farm tracks. You’ll be able to see the sites of Roman forts and fortlets – plus points of interest, such as pieces of public art.

The trail deviates from the line of the Wall in certain areas for walker safety. However, it mostly follows the actual route of the Roman wall, once the northern frontier of the Roman Empire.

The trail was created as part of the Rediscovering the Antonine Wall project, which included five local authorities and Historic Environment Scotland.

Internet archive: Rediscovering the Antonine Wall

Walkers explore Rough Castle Roman Fort Site near Spoke ‘n’ Boot. Images: Adrian Mahoney.

Wall facts

Location: The Antonine Wall stretched across central Scotland, from the Firth of Forth (Bo’ness) to the Firth of Clyde (Old Kilpatrick).

Built by Romans: Construction began around AD 142 during the reign of Emperor Antoninus Pius.

Length: It ran for about 37 miles (60 km) and was shorter than Hadrian’s Wall (73 miles / 117 km).

Materials: Unlike Hadrian’s Wall (stone), the Antonine Wall was built mainly of turf blocks on a stone foundation, with a large ditch to the north and a road behind it for soldiers.

Forts: Around 16 forts and many smaller fortlets were built along the wall to house Roman troops.

Purpose: It was intended to mark the northern frontier of the Roman Empire in Britain and to control movement of people and goods.

Short use: The wall was only held for about 20 years before the Romans retreated back to Hadrian’s Wall around AD 162.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Today, the Antonine Wall is part of the “Frontiers of the Roman Empire” World Heritage Site, alongside Hadrian’s Wall and the German Limes.

Distance slabs: Soldiers recorded their work with decorated distance slabs, unique to the Antonine Wall. Many of these can be seen in museums such as the Hunterian Museum in Glasgow.

Local legacy: Remains of the wall can still be seen in places like Rough Castle near Falkirk, at Callendar Park, Falkirk, and Kinneil Estate in Bo’ness.

Check out

Have a Festival break at Spoke ‘n’ Boot!

Spoke’n’Boot Camping Pods can be a great place to stay in you’re visiting the Edinburgh Festivals.

We’re just a mile or so from Falkirk High Station, offering regular train links to the heart of Edinburgh. The fastest train takes just 23 minutes!

As well as the International Festival and Festival Fringe, there are other festivals in the summer and around the year. Check out the Edinburgh Festival City website for details.

After your arts fix, you can escape to the peace and tranquility of our camping pods and the lovely facilities in our byre.

Our prices are £90 for two adults sharing a pod, and £55 for single occupancy, with basic breakfast provisions.

(And there’s no price rise for August!)

Contact Sandra on 07999530095 to check availability.

Princes Street Gardens looking up to Edinburgh Castle.

Lumo boosts London links to Falkirk area

Public transport operator First Group is to increase direct London train links with the Falkirk area.

The company has just secured the rights to extend its east coast Lumo service (currently running from Kings Cross to Edinburgh) across to Glasgow, with stops at Falkirk High Station.

This expanded service is due to start in December 2025, according to reports.

The company has also secured the rights to run services between Stirling and London Euston, stopping at Larbert Station (starting in “spring 2026”).

Check the Lumo website for updates.

Falkirk High is just over a mile from Spoke ‘n’ Boot. You can walk there in under 30 minutes.

Larbert Station is three miles away from our base on the outskirts of Falkirk. Walking time is about an hour. (Or you can get a taxi!)

Lumo’s rival LNER also runs some direct London services via Falkirk Grahamston. Falkirk Grahamston is about two miles away from Spoke and Boot.

Why not combine a train trip with a break in our camping pods? There’s also lots to explore in the local area.

Photo by Sam on Unsplash

Falkirk area ‘best for families’

Falkirk has been named the best place to visit in Scotland for families by train firm LNER.

Read the full story on the Falkirk Council website.

The area includes lots of family-friendly attractions such as:

All these attractions are a short walk or drive from Spoke ‘n’ Boot.

If you fancy a family break in the area, why not check out our accommodation and prices and get in touch?

Watch out this video, from VisitFalkirk, on the family fun you can have in the area.

LNER runs regular services through Falkirk Grahamston station. It’s about two miles from our site.

All set for a great 2025

Why not make the Falkirk area your destination for a short break in 2025? You’ll find a warm welcome, and great accommodation, at Spoke ‘n’ Boot.

Local highlights for the year ahead include:

All the venues are within easy reach of our accommodation at Spoke ‘n’ Boot.

We’re also just a short walk or cycle to Falkirk High Station – offering fast rail services to the heart of Edinburgh and Glasgow. Why not combine a trip to the Edinburgh Festivals with an affordable stay with us?

For the latest updates check out the VisitFalkirk and VisitWestLothian websites.

Inside the Hippodrome Cinema in Bo'ness.

Inside the historic Hippodrome Cinema in Bo’ness. It’s the oldest purpose-built cinema in Scotland! It’s a 25 minute car ride (or taxi journey) from Spoke ‘n’ Boot.

Local area is tops for walkers

The Falkirk area around Spoke ‘n’ Boot is packed with short and long-distance paths for you to explore.

In 2019, the area was named the Best Place to Walk in the UK by the Ramblers.

As well the long-distance John Muir Way, which runs close to our site – you can also walk along the historic Forth and Clyde and Union Canals.

There also some amazing shorter trails, listed on the Falkirk Council website. The Council claims the area is home to more than 300 miles of paths and rights of way for walking and cycling.

Spoke ‘n’ Boot is a great place to be based if you fancy a short walking break in central Scotland. Contact us to find out more.

(Pictured below: people walking along part of the Roman Antonine Wall, near Bonnybridge.)

People walking on the Antonine Wall.

Get a dram good tour around Rosebank

Historic Rosebank Distillery in Camelon – just over a mile from Spoke ‘n’ Boot – has re-opened its doors.

You can book tours around the site and access a brand new whisky shop. Visit the Rosebank website for full details.

Why not combine a stay at Spoke ‘n’ Boot with some whisky tasting?

The Distillery, on the banks of the Forth and Clyde Canal dates back to the 1840s. Sadly, it closed in 1993. Now the site has been restored by Ian Macleod Distillers, incorporating new buildings into the historic structures.

Discover more about Rosebank’s history on the Our Stories Falkirk website.

You’ll find more Rosebank videos on YouTube.

Celebrate our amazing Kelpies!

The world’s largest equine sculptures – the Kelpies – are 10 years-old this year. The 30 metre horse sculptures – the centrepiece of the Helix Park between Falkirk and Grangemouth – were officially launched in April 2014.

To celebrate a decade of success, attracting millions of people to the area, the Helix Park is staging Kelpies 10 on Saturday, April 27, 2024.

There’s a full, free day of family activities – plus a ticketed (paid for) evening concert. The concert will feature the singer Callum Beattie and the Red Hot Chilli Pipers.

Visit the Helix website for more details.

Spoke ‘n’ Boot is just a few miles walk from the Kelpies. Just head down to the Forth and Clyde Canal and Camelon and head east along the Canal. You’ll find the Kelpies in under four miles.