Falkirk’s visitor economy is thriving. Centrally located in Scotland’s central belt with fast road and rail connections to Edinburgh and Glasgow. The area welcomed 965,000 visits in 2024:

• up 11.6% on 2023 and fully back to pre-pandemic levels
• Overnight stays grew by 14%
• Day trips by grew by 8%
• Hotel stays grew by 23%
• Tourism spending reached nearly £157 million
• supporting approximately 4,500 jobs - about 6% of local employment

Accessibility, combined with a wide range of attractions, makes Falkirk a convenient destination for day-trippers, short-break visitors, and investors alike.

World-class attractions

The area boasts some of Scotland’s most iconic visitor experiences.

• The Kelpies celebrated their 10th anniversary in 2024 with a year-long programme of events and the Kelpies Experience, offering guided aerial tours.
• The Helix Park attracted over one million visits
• The Falkirk Wheel introduced new “Behind the Wheel” tours
• Whisky heritage returned with the reopening of Rosebank Distillery after 30 years.

Falkirk’s appeal has been recognised nationally:

• shortlisted at the Scottish Thistle Awards
• crowned by LNER as Scotland’s Best Family Destination
• and named by the Ramblers as Britain’s Best Walking Neighbourhood.

Beyond flagship attractions, the area offers a rich history and heritage, over 500 miles of walking and cycling paths, and has become a hub for film tourism, with locations featured in productions such as Outlander.

Growing the brand

The 2024 launch of the Visit Falkirk brand and website positions the area as an overnight destination. Working with local businesses and the travel trade, the Council is developing packages to extend the visitor season, encourage longer stays, and attract new markets.

Visit Falkirk

Investment opportunities

Rising overnight stays highlight opportunities for additional accommodation, including hotels, boutique guesthouses and self-catering options.

Strong demand for premium experiences demonstrates potential for innovation in tours, outdoor activities and food & drink tourism. Combined with its central location, excellent connectivity, rich heritage and world-class attractions, Falkirk offers a compelling proposition for sustainable tourism investment.