Explore the history of Scotland’s heartland

Meandering viewed from the Wallace Monument. The river flows from right to left, and the former limit of navigation was in the left distance. Author: Alan Campbell - Licence Creative Commons.

Set in the historic heartland of Scotland, museums, galleries and heritage sites in the Forth Valley have launched a new way for visitors to unravel the area's rich past.

Created by 16 participating attractions, Forth's timeline uses an interactive map and visitor brochure to highlight exhibits and link the collections and buildings together using three themes. 

The first theme, ‘Crucible of Industry', links museums examining the industrial revolution. The ‘Power Struggles' theme considers 2000 years of conflict, at home and abroad. The final theme ‘Landscape of Inspiration' delves into the architecture and art, which the Forth Valley has inspired.

Each theme creates a different route to explore this geographic and historic centre of Scotland. By following a theme, visitors can discover some of the unique smaller collections and visitor sites the Forth Valley has to offer while unravelling over 2000 years of history.

The project includes the world heritage site the Antonine Wall, works of art depicting Sir William "Braveheart" Wallace and the Clackmannanshire Tower Trail, a historic look at five buildings once home to Scottish nobles. The Bo'ness and Kinneil railway and Birkhill Fireclay Mine are favourites with older children and can be combined with visits to other museums in the area.

The Forth Valley is less than an hour's drive from Glasgow and Edinburgh and the 16 museum, galleries and historic sites are all within a 20-mile radius. First ScotRail services and local bus routes are available throughout the vicinity.

Visit http://www.forthstimeline.net/ for more information.