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'Exceptional' town with world-first water attraction & record-breaking landmark

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The country's 'most bizarre' building and a giant sculpture are among the other sights worth visiting

A UNIQUE water attraction has drawn tourists to a small town in the UK since it first opened back in 2002.

The Falkirk Wheel is a rotating boat lift that carries barges and boats between the Forth and Clyde Canal and the Union Canal.

The Falkirk Wheel is the only one of its kind in the whole world qhidquirziqkkprw
The Falkirk Wheel is the only one of its kind in the whole worldCredit: Alamy
The Kelpies at The Helix are the largest equine statues in the world
The Kelpies at The Helix are the largest equine statues in the worldCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
The Dunmore Pineapple was described as Scotland's most bizarre building
The Dunmore Pineapple was described as Scotland's most bizarre buildingCredit: Getty

It is the only one of its kind in the world, making it a tourist attraction in itself, with the two canals also a great way to spend a holiday.

Barges can be hired and taken down both canals, with Edinburgh at the end of one and Glasgow at the end of the other.

Scottish Canals described the Union Canal as "a route to remember".

Disgusted shoppers slam supermarket after spotting turkey two weeks out of dateDisgusted shoppers slam supermarket after spotting turkey two weeks out of date

They said: "From the iconic Falkirk Wheel to the historic heart of Scotland's capital city, discover boat trips, inspiring trails and amazing heritage."

The wheel can be found in the middle of the two cities, with Falkirk described as the canals' flagship destination.

The rotating wheel takes around five minutes to lift boats from one canal onto the other, in what Secret Scotland described as an "exceptional" example of engineering.

They wrote: "The Falkirk Wheel boat lift is an exceptional feat of modern engineering that connects the Forth & Clyde and Union Canals."

Aside from boating trips to other cities, there's plenty to see and do in and around the town, including another engineering feat.

The Kelpies are the largest equine sculptures in the world and are an iconic landmark in Falkirk.

The sculpture, a giant statue of two horse's heads, can be found at The Helix, a huge park more than 350 hectares in size.

Like the wheel, the park has also been described as "exceptional" with Visit Scotland giving it the highest rating possible, a full five stars.

The Falkirk Herald said: "The Helix, home to the world famous Kelpies, received five stars from the national tourism organisation’s Quality Assurance (QA) Scheme in recognition of its exceptional standards."

It has an adventure zone and splash play area for kids to enjoy, with fountains spraying from the ground and huge climbing structures.

Stormy gales wash walrus and seals ashore as urgent warnings for SNOW issuedStormy gales wash walrus and seals ashore as urgent warnings for SNOW issued

Meanwhile walking and cycling routes "meander through lush greenery and enchanting woodlands" according to the park's website.

The paths in and around the park connect 16 communities via 26 kilometres worth of trail, all of which can be explored.

There are other unique structures around Falkirk, which can be discovered just a short journey away, including the Pineapple, known as "the most bizarre building in Scotland".

The folly can be discovered in the grounds of the nearby Dunmore Park, in which the large country mansion Dunmore House can also be seen.

As its name suggests, the building is shaped like a pineapple, reflecting the extensive amount of exotic fruit that used to be grown in greenhouses throughout the estate.

 It was built in 1761 by the Earl of Dunmore as a summerhouse, from where he could enjoy views throughout his estate.

Now, the grounds are "an oasis for wildlife" according to National Trust for Scotland, who recommend visitors take "a peaceful walk around the former curling pond and surrounding woodland".

However, for those simply interested in country estates, a visit to Callendar House is also on offer.

The 14th century French chateau-styled building has a working Georgian kitchen, a visitor tea room and kids play park.

The house is set among the landscape of Callendar Park which contains a section of the Roman Antonine Wall, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The wall was the most northerly frontier of the Roman Empire nearly 2,000 years ago. 

It ran for 40 Roman miles from modern Bo'ness on the Firth of Forth to Old Kilpatrick on the River Clyde.

At the time of its construction, the wall is thought to have been the most complex frontier ever constructed by the Roman army.

The wall's website invites visitors to "explore the traces of ramparts, steep ditches, and the remains of forts and bathhouses and imagine what life was like for the Romans".

A night for two in Falkirk can be booked from around £68.

Meanwhile, this UK city is set to get a brand new £250m water attraction.

And this is where you can visit a water feature that was used in a Batman film.

Falkirk is linked to both Glasgow and Edinburgh via canals
Falkirk is linked to both Glasgow and Edinburgh via canalsCredit: Alamy

Ryan Gray

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