 The Falkirk Wheel |
Falkirk is one of the 32 unitary council areas into which Scotland has been divided since 1996. It was also a district council area which existed from 1975 to 1996. It extends inland from the south side of the River Forth and significant settlements include Falkirk, Denny, Grangemouth and Bo'ness. For accommodation in Falkirk and a full list of features, see our Stirling & Central Scotland area pages.
 Falkirk Since 1996 Note About Image Copyright |
Falkirk is the 22nd largest council area in Scotland in terms of physical size, but the 11th largest in terms of population. This reflects the fairly urban character of large parts of the area. In many ways, Falkirk lies at the heart of central Scotland. It is well served by railways, and in terms of roads it is served by the M9 which crosses it from south-east to north-west, and by the M876 which crosses it from the south-west to the north-east and also serves the new bridge over the upper River Forth.
Falkirk is bordered on its south by West Lothian and North Lanarkshire; on its west by Stirling; and on its north by Clackmannanshire.
From the point of view of local authority coverage, the area now covered by Falkirk formed the eastern end of the traditional county of Stirlingshire and the western parts of the traditional county of West Lothian. A major reorganisation in 1975 created Falkirk District as one of three district council areas within Central Region, itself one of the 12 regions into which Scotland was divided. When regions and districts disappeared from the scene in the 1996 reorganisation, Falkirk became one of the 32 unitary council areas into which the country has since been divided.
