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The modern community developed around the harbour on the east coast of the county in south central Scotland. Picts inhabited the lands, but fought frequently with the Anglo/Saxons to maintain control. In the last quarter of the 7th century, the Picts ably rid themselves of the Northumbrian King Drust. The new King of Northumbria, Ecgfrith decided to enact revenge on the Picts in a battle, which occurred sometime after 670AD. His armies invaded the territory near Grangemouth and massacred all of the Picts. The bodies so abundant that reports claimed the ability of walking across the rivers while keeping dry feet. However, in 685AD the Picts exacted revenge and defeated Northumbria at the Battle of Dun Nechtain.
In 1768, the lands belonged to Sir Lawrence Dundas. Upon hearing about the construction of the Forth and Clyde Canal, Dundas convinced the contractors to move the canal to his property. All agreed and the canal connected with the River Forth on Dundas’ land. Sir Lawrence named the area Sealock at first. Being on the mouth of the Grange Burn, the named evolved into Grangeburnmouth and finally Grangemouth.
The higher tariffs of other ports soon attracted more traffic to Grangemouth. In 1781, Dundas’ son Thomas reconstructed the canal to flow from the River Carron into the River Forth. He also redesigned the community around the canal.
The Central Scotland Airport frequently used the local Inchyra road and during the Second World War, the military used the road as an airstrip. The community continued growing and in 1897, Grangemouth developed a soap works factory, which manufactured glycerine and soap. Oil arriving from the Middle East influenced Grangemouth’s establishment of an oil refinery plant. From this location, oil travelled by pipeline to other areas.
Grangemouth has a number of military installations that include an Air Training Corps camp, an Army Cadets training station, and a facility at the harbour for training Sea and Marine Cadets.
Activities and Attractions
Grangemouth offers plenty of activities for those enjoying the outdoors or physical fitness. A towpath follows the Forth Canal, travelling through the vegetation of the countryside. Explore the rolling hills surrounding the Forth Valley. Grangemouth has a fully equipped golf club, featuring an 18 hole course and clubhouse. The local Jupiter Urban Wildlife Centre is the largest specialised wildlife garden in the country. Constructed on 10 acres (4 hectares) of abandoned railroad property, the park features numerous species of native plants growing in meadows and around ponds. The site also has a picnic area and visitor’s centre.
Journey southeast to the Avon Gorge and visit the Birkhill Fireclay Mines. Guides lead visitors down a forested path into the gorge to the mine site. The facility offers guided tours in the underground environment where miners worked for centuries, digging for the alumina fireclay used in brick making. Learn about the special properties of the clay and in what types of construction they were necessary. See the equipment used and hear about the typical, dangerous life of the miner. Examine fossils found in the mines, some millions of years old. The beautifully forested area entices many to explore the surrounding property.
Visitors find a living historical complex at the Kinneil Estate. The 17th century stables house the site museum, featuring information about the tower house, medieval village and ancient Roman fort. See artefacts left behind by the Romans and the residents of the old village. Learn about the famous people connected with the estate, including Mary, Queen of Scots. The actual Roman fort site bears markers depicting the location where buildings and walls once stood. The museum contains a miniaturized model of how the fort may have appeared. Walter Fitzgilbert began construction on the Kinneil tower house in the early 1400s.
Over the centuries, the home expanded into the large structure visitors see today. Interesting interiors of the home include the hand painted ceilings and walls of the arbour and parable rooms. A vaulted room also features ancient gravestones from the church courtyard. Exploring the property, guests encounter the roofless medieval church and more old gravestones. The grounds also have the remains of the cottage where inventor James Watt developed steam engines.
Places to Stay and Dining
Grangemouth hotel choices include large, modern facilities, designed to meet a number of catering or lodging requirements. Venues offer everything from single rooms and honeymoon suites to fully furnished one and two bedroom apartments.
Guests feast on a lunch fit for a king or queen at the Glenskirlie Castle Restaurant. The facility offers a three course meal for one affordable price. A full lunch might include the soup of the day with homemade bread, followed by herb stuffed roast pork with rosemary gravy and applesauce. Dessert options include sticky toffee pudding with honey ice cream.
Accommodation in Grangemouth
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