Falkirk has been named Scotland’s top family destination in a new LNER study of 71 UK towns and cities
Falkirk has been named the best place to visit in Scotland for families, topping a new league table compiled by rail operator LNER. The central belt town clinched the top spot based on its unbeatable offering of kid-friendly activities, green spaces and family-focused accommodation.
The research, which examined 71 towns and cities across Scotland and England, analysed destinations across five categories: family-friendliness, sustainability, culture, outdoor experiences and food.
Each location was scored out of 100, with data drawn from sources such as the Office for National Statistics, Yelp, and Hotels.com. All figures were adjusted for population and weighted to ensure a fair comparison.
Falkirk outshone other Scottish destinations for families thanks to an impressive 511 kid-friendly activities, more per capita than anywhere else in the country.
The town is also home to 11 public parks and themed attractions, giving it one of the highest concentrations of green space designed with families in mind.
Accommodation options scored highly too, with Falkirk boasting 159 family-friendly hotels per 100,000 people, the top result in Scotland.
Dining out is also made easier, with a wide selection of child-friendly restaurants available for visiting families.
David Flesher, Commercial Director at LNER, said: “When you’re choosing where to go, it’s not always easy to know what a city is really best at, especially if you’re trying to plan something special. This research helps take out the guesswork and shows what different places have to offer.
“We hope this guide helps people make more informed choices, whether they’re planning a day trip or a longer summer break. There are so many brilliant destinations on our route, and this is just one more way to celebrate them.”
The study also spotlighted standout destinations in other travel categories across Scotland. Aberdeen was recognised as the country’s most sustainable destination.
The coastal city earned praise for its clean air, ranking lowest for air pollution, and a high number of second-hand shops per capita. It also boasts walkable streets and a compact layout ideal for low-impact tourism.
Stirling, meanwhile, was hailed as Scotland’s cultural gem.
Despite its small size, it punches well above its weight in cultural offerings, with a high number of museums, bookshops, historic sites and events.
Nature lovers were pointed toward Inverness, which was named Scotland’s best outdoor destination. Nestled between the Highlands and the famous Loch Ness, the city offers hiking, wildlife spotting, and even dolphin sightings in the nearby Moray Firth.
And when it comes to food, it was no surprise that Edinburgh topped the charts.
The capital was praised for its vibrant culinary scene, including the highest number of Michelin-starred restaurants in Scotland and recognition from the Good Food Guide as the “Most Exciting Food Destination of 2025”.
Full category winners:
Category
England Winner
Scotland Winner
Family-Friendly
York
Falkirk
Outdoor
York
Inverness
Foodie
Brighton
Edinburgh
Culture
Cambridge
Stirling
Sustainability
Newcastle upon Tyne
Aberdeen
