Finding out more about Falkirk
History
The Falkirk area lies in the Scotland’s centre and was the site of many a historic happening. Falkirk was host to two major battles: the First Battle of Falkirk in 1298 where William Wallace led the Scots into battle against Edward’s English army; and the Battle of Falkirk Muir in 1746 where Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Jacobites defeated the government forces.
If you ever visit Falkirk, look out for The Antonine Wall, built around AD146, which is the largest relic of the Roman occupation of Scotland. You could also pay a visit to the Dunmore Pineapple, known as the “most bizarre building in Scotland” by some!
Location
Falkirk is ideally located, almost halfway, between the major cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow. The busy town has great local amenities and services that you would expect in a thriving town, including supermarkets, shopping centres, sporting, leisure and recreational facilities and a range of professional services and communication links.
Getting to and from Falkirk is fairly easy with railway stations which offer regular services to Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stirling and beyond. Commuters can also benefit from Falkirk’s position should they need to drive as it is also well placed for easy access to the main motorway network with the M876/M9 motorways and the M80.
Attractions
Local attractions include: the Falkirk Wheel, many heritage monuments as well as a World Heritage Site, seven golf courses, and one of Scotland’s most renown baronial mansions the Callendar Estate and Park. Callendar House has a working Georgian kitchen and has a lot to offer in the form of exhibitions and costumed interpreters who bring its history to life.
Falkirk is a vibrant place to live and two areas come to mind when I think of this Scottish city. The first is Larbert. The highly sought after and regarded village of Larbert provides an excellent range of shopping, schooling and recreational facilities and has the new state of the art Forth Valley Royal Hospital. The second is Brightons which is a popular location both with families and commuters due to its high level of local amenities and access to both rail and road networks. Schooling for both primary and secondary children is readily to hand.
Property buyers
The types of buyers that may benefit most from looking to buy in Falkirk would be possibly first time buyers and families.
Falkirk is ideal for the first time buyer with commuting in to Edinburgh and Glasgow available by road or rail meaning that purchase prices are lower due to not being in a major city.
As for families, home owners looking to expand find themselves moving out from the major cities for extra space and value for money whilst still having all the facilities they need to hand; Falkirk is perfect for this.
Here is an ESPC video on buying a property in Scotland to help you further.
Karen's top tips
My top tips for those looking to buy a home in Falkirk are these.
- Firstly, register your search details with the ESPC website for new properties coming to the market and most of the right properties will come to you instead of you looking for them.
- Secondly, do your homework! Falkirk is in the heart of central Scotland, it is an ideal base for those who want the benefits of a large city within easy reach so do your research and find out which part of Falkirk you want to live in.
- Thirdly, look at the most important aspect, your budget. Decide on your minimum and maximum spend for a property and consider the current housing market situation, don’t discount something that you think may be out of your price range as it may not be!
Website resources
- Visit espc.com to register your details to receive property updates tailored to suit your needs.
- You can also go through your ESPC member solicitor to have your existing property marketed by ESPC
- Find out more about Falkirk by visiting the Falkirk Council website