Farming Falkirk

by Janice Hopper

the 14th century house itself it’s possible to take afternoon tea, or have a more informal lunch, coffee and cake in the café. Head downstairs to the Georgian Kitchen to learn about recipes of old, or let kids dress up as Roman soldiers in the exhibition area as they learn about the Antonine Wall. But it’s worth noting that much of the area’s agricultural history is covered here too. The exhibitions highlight quirky stories such as Small’s Plough, designed in the 1760s by James Small. The Berwickshire man took his idea to Falkirk’s Carron Ironworks to make his designs a reality. The plough’s efficiency was a roaring success, requiring far less force than traditional ploughs to turn a furrow, and Small generously refused to patent his creation.

Falkirk’s famous cattle ‘Trysts’ are covered too. Falkirk’s large scale cattle trading in the early

18th century even gave Crieff’s dominance in this field a run for its money. Other industries illuminated in the exhibition include two large tanneries from 18th century, which naturally benefited from the trysts. This industry also required bark, tapping into the forests of Callendar Park. And it also explains why Falkirk became a recognised shoe producer, as leather was close at hand. It’s fascinating to see how farmers bringing livestock to the trysts indirectly benefited not one, but two further crafts and industries in the town.

Flax, essential for the linen industry, was another crop highlighted in Callendar House, and Falkirk’s weaving heritage is touched upon too. Even how the land is utilised is examined, discussing the move in Falkirk to swap out small, exposed ‘rigs’ to “large fields ‘enclosed’ by hedges”, a policy embraced by Callendar House’s owner, William Forbes, in the late 18th century.

When it comes to historic Falkirk, conflict over land was never far away either. Traces of the Antonine Wall are within reach, revealing how the region was dramatically divided. The original wall, built around 142AD, was actually made of turf rather than bricks or stone, and it ran right through the centre of Callendar Park. Even the park’s children’s playground has a ‘Roman’ theme, giving youngsters the opportunity to defend a fort like a Roman legionary, or attack it like a Celt! Another key figure who fought for Scotland’s land is buried in Falkirk Town Centre. Sir John De Graeme was William Wallace’s finest knight, killed in action during the Battle of Falkirk on 22 July 1298. Seek out his memorial and burial site at Falkirk Trinity Church on Manse Place.

For those wishing to see all these attractions and the Falkirk landscape in more detail, exploring by car is an obvious option, but it’s a wonderfully bike-friendly area with excellent cycle tracks along the canal banks. Key tourist sites are linked by flat cycle paths, such as the Falkirk Wheel and the Kelpies. Callendar Park and the neighbouring Callendar Estate also offer family friendly cycling through the park and the woodland. Bear in mind that Callendar Estate boasts over 4,800 acres of farmland, providing the basis of agricultural production for twenty farming families. The estate is also known for its biomass output and forestry. If cycling around Falkirk sounds a little taxing then it’s possible to rent electric bikes from Forth Bike, so visitors can immerse themselves in the countryside allowing the bikes to do most of the work.