Page 131 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Scotland

CENTR AL SC O TLAND  129

estate and gave it to the people Culross pros pered in the
of Dunfermline. Carnegie emi­ 16th century due to the
grat ed to Pennsylvania in his growth of its coal and salt
teens and through iron and steel, industries, most notably
became one of the wealthiest under the genius of Sir
men in the world. He donated George Bruce. Descend­
some $350 million for the benefit ed from the family of
of mankind. Carnegie Birth­ Robert the Bruce, Sir
place Museum tells his story. George took charge of
the colliery in 1575 and
5 Abbey Church created a drainage sys­
Tel (01383) 724586. Open Apr–Oct: tem called the “Egyptian
daily (Sun pm only). = Wheel” which cleared a
E Carnegie Birthplace Museum mine 1.5 km (1 mile) long,
Moodie St. Tel (01383) 724302. Open running underneath the The 16th-century palace of industrialist George Bruce,
Mar–Nov: daily (Sun pm only). 7 River Forth. at Culross
∑ carnegiebirthplace.com The National Trust for
Scotland began restoring the y Antonine Wall
town in 1932 and now provides Falkirk. n Falkirk Wheel, Lime Rd,
a guided tour. This starts at the (01324) 620244. 3 Falkirk.
Visitor Centre, housed in the Open Mon–Sat.
one­time village prison.
Built in 1577, Bruce’s palace The Romans invaded Scotland
has the crow­stepped gables, for a second time around
decor at ed windows and red AD 140, in the reign of Emperor
pantiles typical of the period. The Antonius and built a 60­km
interior retains its original painted (37­mile) earth rampart across
ceilings, among the finest in Central Scotland from the Firth
Scotland. Crossing the square of Clyde to the Firth of Forth.
past 1577’s Oldest House, head The rampart was fur ther
for the Town House to the west. defended by ditches and forts
Behind it, a cobbled street known at strategic points. One of the
as the Back Causeway leads to best­preserved sections of the
The 12th-century Norman nave of the tur reted Study, built in 1610 fortifications can be seen at
Dunfermline Abbey Church as a house for the Bishop of Dun­ Rough Castle, west of Falkirk.
blane. The main room is open to
visitors and should be seen for its
t Culross Norwegian ceiling. Continuing u Falkirk Wheel
Fife. * 400. 3 Dunfermline. north to the ruined abbey, fine Lime Rd, Tamfourhill, Falkirk. Tel (08700)
@ Dunfermline. n (01383) 720999 church and Abbey House, don’t 500208. 3 Falkirk. Open 10am–
(Palace: 880359). « ∑ nts.org.uk miss the Dutch­gabled House 5:30pm daily. & for boat trip. - =
with the Evil Eyes. ∑ scottishcanals.co.uk
An important religious centre
in the 6th century, the town of P Palace, Town House and Study This impressive, elegant boat lift
Culross is reputed to have been Open Apr, May, Sep: 11am–5pm Sat– is the first ever to revolve and
the birthplace of St Mungo in 514. Mon; Jun–Aug: 11–5pm daily (Jun: the centrepiece of Scotland’s
Now a beauti fully preserved Wed–Mon); Oct: 11am–4pm Sat–Mon. ambitious canal regeneration
16th­ and 17th­century village, & 7 limited. = « scheme. Once important for
commercial trans port, the Union
and the Forth and Clyde canals
were blocked by numerous
roads during the 1960s. Now
the Falkirk Wheel gently swings
boats between the two water­
ways creating an uninterrupted
link between Glasgow and
Edinburgh. This huge, moving
sculpture rotates continuously,
lifting boats 35m, a height
equivalent to 11 traditional
locks, in just 15 minutes. Visitors
can ride the wheel on one of
the boats that leave the Visitor
The rotating Falkirk Wheel boat lift Centre every 40 minutes.

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