Last updated on March 5th, 2023.
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Free attractions in Central Scotland
- Callandar House
- Cambuskenneth Abbey
- Dollar Museum
- Fife Coastal Path
- Kinneil Museum
- Loch Leven Heritage Trail
- Maid of the Loch
- North Queensferry Harbour Light Tower
- St. Cyrus National Nature Reserve
- (A) Stirling Smith Museum and Gallery
- (B) Tentsmuir Forest and Tentsmuir National Nature Reserve
- (C) The Church of the Holy Rude
- (D) The River Tay Public Art Trail
Note: Cambuskenneth Abbey marker (2) behind Stirling Smith Museum (A)
If you’d like to discover even more places to visit, take a look at the Scottish Tourist Attractions Map.
Callandar House
- Address: Callendar Rd, Falkirk, FK1 1YR
- Opening Times: Daily 10:00 to 17:00
- Tel Number: 01324 503770
- Email Address: N/A
- Website: Callandar House
About: Callendar House is set in the historic landscape of Callendar Park which also contains a section of the Antonine Wall World Heritage Site.
The House features informative displays including The Story of Callendar House, The Antonine Wall, Rome’s Northern Frontier, and Falkirk: Crucible of Revolution 1750-1850.
Cambuskenneth Abbey
- Address: Ladysneuk Rd, Stirling, FK9 5NG
- Opening Times: 1 April to 30 September: Daily, 9.30am to 5.30pm. 1 to 31 October: Daily, 10am to 4pm
- Tel Number: 0131 668 8600
- Email Address: N/A
- Website: Cambuskenneth Abbey
About: This Abbey was founded in 1140 by King David I to serve Stirling Castle which stands a short distance to the west. The abbey is unusual in that it has a bell tower that is built unlike any other in Scotland.
Dollar Museum
- Address: Castle Campbell Hall, 1 High St, Dollar, FK14 7AY
- Opening Times: Saturdays: 11am to 1pm, 2pm to 4.30pm. Sundays: 2pm to 4.30pm
- Tel Number: 01259 742185
- Email Address: N/A
- Website: Dollar Museum
About: Dollar Museum is an independent museum dedicated to the history and heritage of the village of Dollar in the county of Clackmannanshire. The Museum includes an archive room as well as an extensive display on the Devon Valley Railway.
Fife Coastal Path
- Address: Various points of entry. See website for details.
- Opening Times: N/A
- Tel Number: 01592 656 080
- Email Address: ask.us@fifecountryside.co.uk
- Website: Fife Coastal Path
About: The Fife coastal path stretches for 117 miles (188.29 km) from the Firth of Forth in the south to the Firth of Tay in the north. The route offers a spectacular walking experience with difficulty levels ranging from flat and easy-going to steep and demanding.
Kinneil Museum
- Address: Duchess Anne Cottages, Bo’ness, EH51 0PR
- Opening Times: Mon to Sun 12:30 – 16:00
- Tel Number: 01506 778530
- Email Address: N/A
- Website: Kinneil Museum
About: Kinneil Museum is located in the 17th-century stable building of Kinneil House. The museum tells the story of Bo’ness town and the Roman remains on which it was built.
Kinneil Estate contains part of the Antonine Wall World Heritage Site and also includes the site of a deserted medieval village.
Loch Leven Heritage Trail
- Address: Kinross, KY13. Various points of entry. See website for details.
- Opening Times: N/A
- Tel Number: 01577 864439
- Email Address: george.tracks@gmail.com
- Out About Scotland visitor guide: Loch Leven
About: Loch Leven Heritage Trail is a unique 21 km trail that links natural, historic and cultural heritage around Loch Leven. The trail is suitable for walkers and cyclists of all ages and abilities and it is also disabled-friendly.
Maid of the Loch
- Address: Loch Lomond Marina, Riverside, Balloch, Alexandria, G83 8LF
- Opening Times: See website for details
- Tel Number: 01389 711865
- Email Address: mail@maidoftheloch.org
- Website: Maid of the Loch
About: The Maid of the Loch is a fine example of Clyde-built shipping and features a beautiful art-deco-inspired interior. The vessel is located on the banks of Loch Lomond and has been renovated into a fully operational paddle steamer.
To view attractions in Central Scotland in 360° take a look at: Virtual Tours of Central Scotland.
North Queensferry Harbour Light Tower
- Address: 60 Main St, North Queensferry, Inverkeithing, KY11 1JG
- Opening Times: Thur to Sun 11:00 to 16:30 (plus Weds in Summer)
- Tel Number: +44 (7852) 437384
- Email Address: manager@northqueensferrylighttower.com
- Website: N/A
About: The harbour light tower in North Queensferry is an interesting example of 19th-century engineering that sits nearby the UNESCO world heritage Forth Rail Bridge. It is famous for holding the title of the world’s smallest working light tower.
St. Cyrus National Nature Reserve
- Address: The Old Lifeboat Station, Nether Warburton, Montrose, DD10 0AQ
- Opening Times: Open year-round.
- Tel Number: 01674 830736
- Email Address: nnr@snh.gov.uk
- Website: St. Cyrus National Nature Reserve
About: The St. Cyrus grasslands are protected from the ravages of the weather by the natural barriers of inland cliffs and a seaward ridge of sand dunes.
In summer the reserve is home to countless butterflies and moths, and peregrine falcons can be frequently seen in search of prey.
Stirling Smith Museum and Gallery
- Address: 40 Albert Pl, Stirling, FK8 2RQ
- Opening Times: Tues to Sat 10:30 – 17:00. Sun 14:00 – 17:00
- Tel Number: 01786 471917
- Email Address: N/A
- Website: Stirling Smith Museum and Gallery
About: The Stirling Smith Museum functions as a gallery and museum for historic and contemporary artefacts and paintings from the Stirling area. The building also houses a lecture theatre, café and a biodiversity garden.
Tentsmuir Forest and Tentsmuir National Nature Reserve
- Address: Fife, DD6 9PF
- Opening Times: Open year-round.
- Tel Number: 01382 553704
- Email Address: nnr@snh.gov.uk
- Out About Scotland visitor guide: Tentsmuir National Nature Reserve
About: Tentsmuir exhibits a diverse mixture of wildlife across its dunes and heathland, where seals frequently come ashore and seabirds feast on the food hidden in the mudflats.
Morton Loch can be found slightly inland where birds including teals can be seen at the water’s edge along with otters.
The Church of the Holy Rude
- Address: St John Street, Stirling, FK8 1ED
- Opening Times: Open daily.
- Tel Number: N/A
- Email Address: holyrude@holyrude.org
- Website: The Church of the Holy Rude
About: This fascinating building has been the Parish Church of Stirling for over 900 years. It is the only church still in active use – apart from Westminster Abbey in London – that hosted a coronation, when King James VI of Scotland was crowned in 1567.
The River Tay Public Art Trail
- Address: River Tay, Perth, PH1. There are various points of entry.
- Opening Times: Open year-round.
- Tel Number: N/A
- Email Address: N/A
- Website: N/A
About: The art trail of Perth takes you along Tay Street, over the river and through a beautiful riverside park. There are many gardens and flower beds to discover as well as fascinating pieces of public art that are on permanent display.
Discover more free places to visit in Scotland with: The Best FREE Things to Do in Scotland – Ultimate Visitor Guide.
