A blast in the past

I’ve whizzed along the M9 from Edinburgh to Stirling more times than I care to remember, but it was only recently, when I had to turn off at a different junction, that I became aware of signs for Callendar House near Falkirk. Being the nosey besom that I am, the next free Sunday afternoon I bundled nine-year-old Ellen into the car with her friend Rachel and decided to have a closer look. Despite the clear signposts I was pretty sure we were on the wrong road as I turned into an estate with a tall modern housing block, but then, driving past and through the trees I spotted the huge gothic house with acres of parkland in front of it.

This site has been the seat of power in Falkirk for more than 1,000 years, with the current building constructed in the 14th century, in a more modest format than what we see today – the wings and turrets have been attached over the centuries. Inside, the dark wood-panelled entrance is quite stunning, with frescos on the ceiling. On the ground floor we popped into the Georgian kitchen, fire blazing and still stocked with many of the original implements of yesteryear. As we left, the girls looked up to see a brace of fake pheasants and a rabbit suspended from the ceiling.

As we looked at the exhibitions, which are enlivened by life-sized waxwork models perfect for posing beside, Ellen and Rachel seemed really rather interested in reading the wall panels and peering closely at cannons and other objects manufactured in Falkirk during the Industrial Revolution. On the second floor a couple of shops are set up as they would have been 200 years ago, with a “shop assistant” giving information on what they would have had for sale in those days. There was even a little print shop with a low doorway. Sadly, no one had designed a sign to say: “Mind your head.”

Unfortunately as we left the house the rain came on so we chose to save our visit to the play area featuring go-karting and mini golf for the next time. We’ll definitely be back, now that we know where to turn off on the motorway.

Admission is free (donations accepted), for more information go to www.falkirk.gov.uk/cultural