Film & TV locations in Falkirk & West Lothian
If you’re looking for day trips from Edinburgh, this is the post for you. To get you inspired, I’ve created three wee itineraries in Falkirk and West Lothian, each themed around film & TV locations. This post is written as part of a paid campaign with Film on Forth.
The neighbouring regions of Falkirk and West Lothian have a few things in common: there is a surprising number of attractions, they have various claims to on-screen fame, and yet they are both commonly overlooked by visitors. Even I have been guilty of neglecting these destinations, but now that I know what I’ve been missing, I’d like to share my experiences in the hope that I can inspire you too. I’m talking Outlander filming locations, picturesque canals, historic ruins, and lovely, local eateries.
I’ve split up these experiences into three perfect day trips from Edinburgh but given the close proximity of these attractions, you can easily mix up or combine the itineraries to suit your own interests. If you’d like to stay away from the city a wee bit longer, and factor in an overnight stay, I know just the glamping site in West Lothian. Let’s get going.
Which itinerary will you choose first?
Day Trip 1: Linlithgow & Blackness
- Linlithgow Palace
- Linlithgow Canal Centre
- Blackness Castle
- The Lobster Pot
Linlithgow Palace
Start the day at the red sandstone ruins of Linlithgow Palace: once a royal residence where fountains flowed with red wine instead of water, and where a wee girl called Mary was born in 1542, and became Queen of Scots just six days later. In modern day, the palace has been used as a filming location for Outlaw King and most famously, Outlander.
The interior was used as Wentworth Prison, the site of Jamie’s horrific ordeal at the hands of Captain Jack Randall. The palace is closed for site inspections at the moment, but it can be admired on a walk around the pretty surrounds of Linlithgow Peel and Linlithgow Loch.
Linlithgow Canal Centre
Afterwards, take a walk up to Linlithgow Canal Centre. This charming wee corner of the canal is home to Scotland’s only canal museum and a gorgeous, vintage tearoom in the old cottage/stables. Look out for the pretty shutters which have been decorated in traditional canal boat painting style by one of the charity’s members.
During the peak season, enjoy lunch at the tearoom and a 25-minute boat tripdeparting at 1.30pm. There are also boats available year-round for self-drive hire.
The centre, which appeared on Channel 4’s Great Canal Journeys, is run solely by passionate volunteers, and I had the pleasure of spending some time with Mike and Stuart on a relaxing cruise of the canal. They even let me steer the boat and quickly discovered why I don’t drive!
Blackness Castle
Now, it’s time to leave Linlithgow and make the short journey to Blackness to visit another incredible historic sight and Outlander filming location. Blackness Castle is a formidable, impenetrable brute of a fortress. Beached dramatically on the shores of the Forth, it has been nicknamed ‘the ship that never sailed’.
Once a 15th century stronghold and state prison, Blackness Castle has recently featured in Mary Queen of Scots, Outlaw King and Outlander. The castle starred as Fort William in Outlander and the courtyard is instantly recognisable from the scenes where Jamie was flogged.
Explore the ramparts, towers and the wooden walkway which juts into the Forth, admiring views across the water to The Forth Bridges. To ensure that the castle can manage capacity, you must pre-book a slot to visit: last entry is 2.45pm.
The Lobster Pot
Finish your day with dinner at a local gem of a place, The Lobster Pot: a 5-minute walk from the castle. The bright yellow facade sets the scene for the riot of colour and nautical randomness which lies within. The quirky interior is a treat for the eyes, and lobster, unsurprisingly, features heavily on the menu (there are lots of other options for non-sea-foodies). If, like me, you’re into a bit of everything, the lobster and steak is an excellent choice.
Getting to Linlithgow and Blackness
- By car – Linlithgow is less than an hour’s drive from Edinburgh, and Blackness is a further 10-minutes from Linlithgow.
- By public transport – ScotRail operates a train service between Edinburgh and Linlithgow and there is a community bus between Linlithgow and Blackness. Plan your route in advance, as you may need to change the order of the day to fit around the timetables.
Day Trip 2: Bo’ness
- Bo’ness Motor Museum
- Bo’ness & Kinneil Railway
- McMoos Ice Cream Parlour & Café
- Bo’ness Hippodrome
Bo’ness Motor Museum
Start the day with a visit to one of the area’s lesser-known attractions, Bo’ness Motor Museum. This unassuming wee building is jam-packed with classic cars and film props, and the collection is constantly growing thanks to museum-owner Colin Anderson. There are references to film and TV everywhere, featuring everything from Only Fools & Horses and Harry Potter, to Star Trek and Doctor Who.
James Bond fans in particular will be in their element, immersed in a whole collection dedicated to 007. In fact, it was Bond girl Caroline Munro and Shane Rimmer from ‘The Spy who Loved Me’ who opened the museum back in 2004. The museum is currently open for general entry on Saturdays and Sundays; weekdays are available by appointment only. For more information on opening times and prices, click here.
Bo’ness & Kinneil Railway
Your next stop is a heritage railway station, Bo’ness and Kinniel Railway. While this is not an original, historic station, it has been constructed with original features from other old stations including Edinburgh Haymarket, Wormit, and Garnqueen North Junction. It is also home to Scotland’s largest railway museum, which will reopen in 2022 with a brand new entrance, which is currently under construction.
The classic station and its impressive collection of trains are often used in film and TV productions; Cloud Atlas, The Railway Man, The Angels Share and Outlander, to name a few. It appears in Outlander Season 1 when Claire and Frank say their farewells, before Claire goes off to war.
The station is also famous for its steam train journeys which depart a few times per week for the 70 minute return journey to Manuel. Sitting in the vintage railway carriages is quite literally a journey into the past, and there are Afternoon Tea options available to make the experience even more special. Visit the website for more information on the museum, steam trains, and events, including the Santa Steam Train.
McMoo’s
For a bite to eat in Bo’ness, visit McMoo’s Ice Cream Parlour & Café. Located just across the street from the Hippodrome, this cute wee cafe is the perfect place for a pre-cinema treat. Loved by locals for its tempting selection of desserts, including 42 flavours of award-winning gelato, the friendly café also serves hot sandwiches, soup and home baking.
Hippodrome
Now, after a day of film memorabilia and filming locations, it’s time to relax and watch a film at the Hippodrome Cinema. This gorgeous, old-school cinema dates back to 1912, making it the oldest operating cinema in Scotland. From the 24 carat gold stars on the ceiling to the original artwork above the screen which was uncovered during the restoration, this cinema oozes old-school charm.
The Hippodrome shows new releases, old favourites and even silent movies, as a nudge to the cinema’s heritage. It is also available for parties and special screenings. For more information, visit the website. Enjoy the film!
Getting to Bo’ness
- By car – Bo’ness is less than a 45-minute drive from Edinburgh. A car would be best if you plan on spending the full day there.
- By public transport – take the Citylink service 909 from Edinburgh Bus Station to Bo’ness or the Bo’ness Community Bus from Edinburgh Waterloo Place to Bo’ness Bus Station. The last buses leave Bo’ness at around 5.00pm/6.00pm.
Day Trip 3: Falkirk
- Callendar House
- Falkirk Wheel
- Finnegans
- The Kelpies
Callendar House
Spend the morning exploring the historic property and pretty parkland at Callendar House. The house, which overlooks the remnants of the Antonine Wall, dates from the 14th century, and has welcomed famous faces from the past, including Mary Queen of Scots and Bonnie Prince Charlie. There is a museum which reveals the history of the house, the area, and the Roman occupation; as well as the real-life events which inspired Outlander.
Callendar House is now a must-visit for Outlander fans, as the Georgian Kitchen starred as the kitchen in the Duke of Sandringham’s house, where Murtagh takes vengeance on the Duke. There is also a beautiful tearoom where you can enjoy a coffee and a breakfast roll, or Afternoon Tea.
The Falkirk Wheel
Travel to an iconic canal side location, and one of Falkirk’s best-known attractions, The Falkirk Wheel. This remarkable feat of engineering connects the Union Canal and the Forth & Clyde Canal by means of a gigantic, rotating boat lift: the first, and only one of its kind in the world. Marvel at the sheer size on it from the canal below and book a boat trip to experience the mechanics in full swing.
Finnegans
Go for lunch at Finnegans in the centre of Falkirk. This fantastic local business is super-popular for a reason. This is a credit to the lovely team and quality food. What they don’t home-make or bake on-site, is sourced from local suppliers, and the owner Giles will proudly tell you where everything comes from. Their Afternoon Tea is so highly regarded, it was a constant delivery sell-out during lockdown.
Order the Hawaiian club sandwich – chargrilled Chicken, Bacon, cheese, pineapple and sweet chilli sauce – and you will not be disappointed. A sweet treat to finish is always a good idea – the fondant fancy was delicious.
The Kelpies
Finish the day at arguably the best modern, manmade attraction in Scotland. The Kelpies are a pair of incredible, steel structures, designed by Scottish sculptor Andy Scott. They take their name from the mythical water-beasts which feature in Scottish folklore tales, but are inspired by the Clydesdale horses who pulled heavy loads along the canal during the Industrial Revolution.
If you’ve only caught a glimpse of The Kelpies while driving past on the motorway, seeing them up close is a whole other story, rising up from the canalside in all their glory. You can even book a tour which takes you inside one of The Kelpies, for a whole new perspective and appreciation.
Getting to Falkirk
- By car – the furthest point on this day trip is The Falkirk Wheel, which is a 1 hour drive from Edinburgh. A car is the best way to reach these sites in one day.
- By public transport – take the train from Edinburgh to Falkirk Grahamston, then take local First Buses out to each attraction.
Glamping in West Lothian
If you’d like to stay in the area a bit longer, or simply break up the short journey back to Edinburgh, Hilly Cow Wigwams in Kirknewton is an amazing place to stay. Despite being just outside Edinburgh, the semi-rural location feels very peaceful and detached from the bustle of the city. We stayed in the Tommy Tractor Wigwam with a hot tub. Here’s what I loved about it:
- Our en-suite wigwam was huge, had a proper double bed, and would comfortably sleep four people.
- The hot tub was such a treat after a long day exploring. It was dark by the time we got in and we dried off next to the fire pit afterwards.
- The local chippy/pizza place delivers directly to your wigwam. We tucked into massive portions of pizza and pasta without having to worry about anything apart from washing a few dishes.
- Lesley and Stewart are lovely hosts who make sure you have everything you need for a relaxing stay, including marshmallows for toasting and towels for the hot tub (since we four ours!).
