Stay 
The Falkirk Wheel
approx. 7.5 km
A rotating boat lift that opened in 2002 and joins the Forth and Clyde Canal to the Union Canal. It lifts boats by 24 m and is the only rotating boat lift of its kind in the world.
Glenskirlie House and Castle: a night in a castle hotel in central Scotland
Glenskirlie House and Castle is a castle hotel at Banknock, near Bonnybridge in the Falkirk area of central Scotland. It is a country house with a castle-style building, which Wikipedia lists among modern Scottish “castles” that blend traditional and contemporary elements. It makes a base within easy reach of Glasgow, Stirling, the Antonine Wall and the Falkirk Wheel.
At a glance
- Location
- Kilsyth Road, Banknock, near Bonnybridge (Falkirk area, central Scotland), about 23 km as the crow flies from Glasgow and 14 km from Stirling
- Accommodation
- Castle hotel: a country house with a modern castle-style building (a 2007 “castle” according to Wikipedia); described by Expedia as an upscale castle
- Highlights
- Restaurant, bar/lounge, library, lobby fireplace, garden, banqueting hall, 6 meeting rooms, wedding service, lift, free Wi-Fi
- Guest rating
- 8.8/10 from 79 reviews on Expedia (as of 14 Oct 2026)
- Check-in & check-out
- Check-in 2 pm to 11 pm · check-out by 10 am
- Good to know
- No pets · breakfast at extra cost · free parking without service (limited spaces) · non-smoking
Staying at Glenskirlie House and Castle: a night in a castle hotel
Staying at Glenskirlie House and Castle means a night in a country house with a castle added to it, rather than in a medieval fortress. Expedia describes it as an upscale castle with a garden, a library and a fireplace in the lobby. The on-site restaurant serves lunch and dinner, there is a bar and lounge, and the reception is staffed around the clock.
Rooms are individually decorated and furnished. The listing mentions bathrobes, a bath or shower (a rain shower in some bathrooms), designer toiletries, free mineral water, a kettle, a safe, a desk, a 36-inch TV with digital channels and blackout curtains. Rooms are soundproofed, connecting rooms are available, and room service and daily housekeeping are offered. Free Wi-Fi is available in the rooms.
A big breakfast is served daily from 8 am to 10 am at an extra charge. The house also has a banqueting hall, six meeting rooms and a wedding service, which is why it is a well-known wedding venue. There is a lift, luggage storage and free parking without service, with limited spaces. The whole property is non-smoking and pets are not allowed.
Photos of Glenskirlie House and Castle
The story of Glenskirlie and its castle
- AD 142 – Roman soldiers begin building the Antonine Wall, whose line runs about 7 km south-west of today’s Banknock.
- Industrial age – Banknock grows around coal mines in the valley; a wagonway links the pits to the Forth & Clyde Canal, and the Kilsyth and Bonnybridge Railway later serves them.
- After the mines – When the mines close, a brickworks is set up on the Cannerton site.
- 2002 – The Falkirk Wheel opens, reconnecting the Forth and Clyde and Union canals for the first time since the 1930s.
- 2007 – Wikipedia cites Glenskirlie Castle, Stirlingshire, as an example of a new house that combines modern and traditional elements.
- Recent years – The Glenskirlie House Hotel adds a castle-style turret and becomes a popular wedding venue, according to Wikipedia’s Banknock article.
Unlike most castles in this guide, Glenskirlie is not a medieval building. Wikipedia’s article on Scottish castles names Glenskirlie Castle (2007) among a handful of modern “castles”, and its article on Banknock says that the hotel has added a castle-style turret. The result is a house with a castle’s outline, built in the long Scottish tradition of baronial style, with the comfort of a hotel.
The surroundings supply the history. Banknock lies by the Bonny Water, north of the Forth & Clyde Canal, in a valley that was once busy with coal mines, a railway and brickworks. Within a few kilometres runs the line of the Roman Antonine Wall, and beyond it the castles of Stirling and Linlithgow tell the story of the Scottish crown.
Facilities and services at Glenskirlie House and Castle
The details below come from the Expedia listing (as of 14 Oct 2026); room details may vary from room to room.
Rooms
- Individually decorated and furnished rooms
- Bathrobes, bath or shower, rain shower
- Designer toiletries, hair dryer, towels
- 36-inch TV with digital channels
- Kettle, free mineral water, safe, desk
- Soundproofed rooms, blackout curtains
- Connecting rooms available
- Free Wi-Fi in all rooms
Food & drink
- Restaurant (lunch and dinner)
- Bar and lounge
- Big breakfast daily, 8:00–10:00 (extra charge)
- Room service
House & grounds
- Garden
- Library
- Fireplace in the lobby
- Banqueting hall
- Lift
- DVD player in rooms
Services & events
- 24-hour reception
- Wedding service
- 6 meeting rooms
- Luggage storage
- Daily housekeeping
- Free parking without service (limited spaces)
Where Glenskirlie House and Castle is: between Glasgow and Stirling
Glenskirlie House and Castle stands on Kilsyth Road at Banknock, in the Falkirk council area of central Scotland, about 10 km west of Falkirk and 5 km from Cumbernauld. Glasgow is some 23 km to the south-west and Stirling about 14 km to the north.
Expedia gives 9 minutes by car to Greenfaulds station and 43 minutes to Glasgow airport. Close by it lists the Westerwood golf course (4.2 km), the Falkirk Wheel, Cumbernauld Theatre, Rough Castle and the Colzium Estate. The Forth & Clyde Canal passes through nearby Bonnybridge.
Distances (as the crow flies from Glenskirlie House and Castle)
| Banknock (village) | approx. 500 m |
| Bonnybridge | approx. 4.5 km |
| Cumbernauld | approx. 5.5 km |
| Falkirk Wheel | approx. 7.5 km |
| Antonine Wall (Bar Hill) | approx. 7.5 km |
| Falkirk (town) | approx. 11 km |
| Stirling Castle | approx. 15 km |
| Linlithgow Palace | approx. 22 km |
| Glasgow (city centre) | approx. 23 km |
Distances calculated as the crow flies; driving times to the station and airport come from the Expedia listing.
Things to see around Glenskirlie House and Castle
The Antonine Wall at Bar Hill
approx. 7.5 km
The Romans’ northernmost frontier, a turf wall begun in AD 142 and running about 63 km across central Scotland, guarded by 16 forts. Its ditch and bank can still be traced in places.
Stirling Castle
approx. 15 km
One of Scotland’s largest and most important castles, on a crag above the River Forth. Most buildings date from the 15th and 16th centuries, and Mary, Queen of Scots, was crowned here in 1542.
Linlithgow Palace
approx. 22 km
The ruins of a palace that was one of the main residences of Scotland’s monarchs in the 15th and 16th centuries. It was burned out in 1746 and is now cared for by Historic Environment Scotland.
Glasgow and Kelvingrove Art Gallery
approx. 25 km
Scotland’s largest city, with Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, which opened in 1901. It is one of the country’s most popular free attractions, with works by Salvador Dalí and the Scottish Colourists.
Forth Road Bridge
approx. 35 km
A suspension bridge across the Firth of Forth that opened in 1964, when it was the longest outside the United States. It links Edinburgh with Fife.
Tours & activities near Glenskirlie House and Castle
Experiences in the region that you can book online with Viator:
Glasgow: Guided Celtic Park Stadium Tour
Soak up the history, feel the passion and see Celtic Park like never before with a 60-minute guided stadium tour. Take the route of legends from the …
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Oban, Glencoe, Highlands Lochs & Castles Small Group Day Tour from Glasgow
See epic ruined castles, listen to tales of old clan rivalries, and venture through brilliant mountain scenery on this tour to the Scottish Highlands.
View details ›
Glasgow City Centre Walking Tour with Local Guide
Discover the real Glasgow with the city’s original walking tour company and passionate local guides. Perfect for first-time visitors, this 1.5 hour …
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Edinburgh: Loch Lomond, Stirling Castle and the Kelpies Day Tour
This one-day tour from Edinburgh takes you sightseeing at the impressive Kelpies, to beautiful Loch Lomond, the magnificent Trossachs National Park …
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Loch Lomond, Kelpies & Stirling Castle Small-Group Tour
Discover the beauty and history of Scotland on our small-group tour to Stirling Castle and Loch Lomond, travelling in comfort aboard a luxury …
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Glasgow: The Clydeside Distillery Tour
Glasgow's Stills are flowing again at The Clydeside Distillery; the city of Glasgow's first dedicated Single Malt Whisky Distillery in over 100 …
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City Sightseeing Glasgow Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
Explore Glasgow, one of the liveliest and most cosmopolitan destinations in Europe with this 1 or 2-day unlimited hop-on hop-off bus tour of the Red …
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Glasgow Street Art & Murals Walking Tour with a Local Guide
Immerse yourself in a different side to Glasgow on our iconic street art tour, a popular tour for those looking to go off the beaten track. Forget …
View details ›Who is Glenskirlie House and Castle for?
Weddings & celebrations
A banqueting hall, a wedding service and a castle-style setting explain why the house is a popular wedding venue.
Couples
A castle hotel with a restaurant, a bar and a lobby fireplace, within reach of Stirling and Glasgow for a short break.
Canal and Roman-history fans
The Falkirk Wheel and the Antonine Wall are both about 7 km away, with Stirling Castle and Linlithgow Palace a little further.
Business and groups
Six meeting rooms, a desk in the rooms and a 24-hour reception suit work trips and small events.
Good to know before booking Glenskirlie House and Castle
- Check-in is from 2 pm to 11 pm; check-out is by 10 am.
- Pets are not allowed.
- A big breakfast is available daily from 8 am to 10 am at an extra charge.
- Parking is free without service, with a limited number of spaces.
- The castle-style building dates from the 21st century; this is a hotel in a country house, not a medieval fortress.
- The property is non-smoking, and there is a lift.
Find available dates at Glenskirlie House and Castle
Frequently asked questions
Can you stay overnight at Glenskirlie House and Castle?
Yes. Glenskirlie House and Castle is a hotel at Banknock, near Bonnybridge, bookable via Expedia, with a restaurant, a bar and a 24-hour reception.
Is Glenskirlie Castle a medieval castle?
No. Wikipedia lists Glenskirlie Castle (2007) among modern Scottish houses that combine traditional and contemporary elements, and mentions a castle-style turret added to the hotel.
Are pets allowed?
No, according to Expedia pets are not allowed at Glenskirlie House and Castle.
What are the check-in and check-out times?
Check-in is from 2 pm to 11 pm, and check-out is by 10 am.
How far is Glenskirlie House and Castle from Glasgow and Stirling?
Glasgow city centre is about 23 km away as the crow flies and Stirling about 14 km. Expedia gives 43 minutes by car to Glasgow airport.
Is there parking and breakfast?
Yes. Parking is free without service, with limited spaces, and a big breakfast is served daily from 8 am to 10 am at an extra charge.
Room photos, guest reviews and available dates are all in the Glenskirlie House and Castle listing on Expedia.
Fancy a night in a castle hotel in central Scotland? Check availability and current prices for Glenskirlie House and Castle on Expedia.
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