10 bars to visit on the ultimate Falkirk railway pub crawl
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Edinburgh and Glasgow might be the Central Belt's most popular destinations for a day or night out, but they are by no means all that the region has to offer.
On this railway pub crawl (compiled using online customer reviews), you and your friends can spend a day or evening seeing the best of Falkirk and its surrounding areas - and enjoy a pint or two along the way.
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Hide AdFalkirk Grahamston
A short walk (under 10 minutes) from Falkirk Grahamston station, you'll find Johnston's Bar Bistro - a centrally-located bar and restaurant serving drinks and high quality food.
Try a signature cocktail while you're here, and fill up on a hearty burger or stack of pancakes in preparation for the pub crawl ahead.
Camelon
Disembark at Camelon and wander at your leisure for around 15 minutes, until you reach The Canal Inn, nestled on the banks of the Forth and Clyde Canal - no surprise there.
Traditional and cosy, you can enjoy a good old fashioned pint here and warm yourself by the fire.
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Larbert
Fifteen minutes' walk or so from Larbert station, the quirky Outside Inn has an outdoor theme, with water features, waterfalls and outdoor-style pathways running through the bar and restaurant.
The bar also has a beer garden that visitors can take advantage of on sunny days.
Stirling
Curly Coo Bar is Stirling's only dedicated whisky bar, and also happens to be conveniently located just a five minute walk from the station. Cosy and inviting, you can choose from more than 130 malt whiskies here, or opt for craft beer or gin if you're not a whisky fan.
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Hide AdFive minutes down the road, Nicky-Tams Bar and Bothy is one of the oldest pubs in Stirling (opened in 1718) and serves everything from locally-brewed ales to cocktail pitchers.
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Alloa
An optional stop on the pub crawl that will require a slight detour, Alloa is home to The Old Brewery, which was once the Maclays Thistle Brewery.
Retaining some original features, the impressive space is a great spot for a drink with friends.
Bear in mind that if you choose to stop off here, you'll have to get the train back to Stirling in order to continue your crawl.
Bridge of Allan
Less than 10 minutes' walk from Bridge of Allan railway station, the recently refurbished Crook Bar offers a good selection of beer, wine and fresh tapas dishes.
Continue east along the same street for a couple of minutes, and you'll come to the Westerton Arms. With wood burning stoves for winter and a lovely beer garden for summer, you can relax in comfort here all year round.
Dunblane
Leave Dunblane station and head north on foot for five minutes or so, until you reach The Tappit Hen. A traditional, early-17th century-style pub, you can expect live folk music performances here if you visit on a Tuesday night, and real ale festivals once or twice a year.
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Hide AdIf you fancy another on the way back to the station, stop in at The Riverside Pub, which is just two minutes' walk away. In good weather, make sure to sit out on the pub's deck and enjoy views of the Allan Water before heading home.