Oaklands, 32 Polmont Road, Laurieston, Falkirk, FK2 9QT
Telephone: 01324 610671
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WELCOME TO OAKLANDS!Oaklands is a spacious detached Edwardian villa built in 1910 as a home for the Young family, Boot Manufacturers of Laurieston. Helen and Andrew warmly welcome tourists, business people, children, walkers and cyclists to share their home. The house is built in an elevated position on the Antonine Mound which dates back to Roman occupation in AD 143. This ancient fortification was built by Antonious Pius and stretched from Old Kilpatrick on the River Clyde to Bo'ness on the River Forth, a distance of 60 kilometres. There are records of habitation in Laurieston, or 'Happy Valley' as it was known, since 1765, and the land on which Oaklands now stands bounded property owned by the Marquess of Zetland.

The house retains many of the period features of the time including a magnificent stained glass window which depicts the Falls of Lennie, north of Callendar. Evidence of the 'art nouveau' style of the period is to be found in this window, and in the magnificent oak dresser in the dining room, while fireplaces in the living and dining rooms have been installed to reflect the period. Full Scottish or Continental breakfast is served in the magnificent dining room whose pine floors have been recently uncovered and restored, and which features a 10' long antique oak dining table.

ACCOMMODATION We are featured in The Country Living Guide to Rural Scotland where we are described as "a wonderful B&B"Our service is of the highest standard. There are three bedrooms, all furnished to a high standard, and all featuring original Scottish watercolours and prints.The Blue Room, located at the back of the house with a view to the River Forth in the distance, contains a double bed, antique wardrobe and chest of drawers. It has an en-suite bathroom with shower. The Family Room is a very bright and spacious room containing a double bed and bunk beds suitable for children. There is a wardrobe and chest of drawers. This room has views over the front and side gardens, and an en-suite bathroom and shower. The Twin Room contains two single beds, wardrobe, chest of drawers and wash hand basin. It has direct access to the main bathroom which is furnished to a very high standard, including Carrara marble worktops. Occupants of this room have exclusive use of the bathroom. The room has views to the River Forth in the distance, and to the back garden.All three rooms have tea/coffee making facilities, clock/radio alarm, TV with teletext. Consideration is always given to special requests. Lunches and evening meals are also available on request. Guests are welcome to use our sitting room which features some original Scottish landscape paintings of the tiny clifftop fishing village of Catterline by Lil Neilson, Angus Neil, and Annette Stephen.

LOCAL ATTRACTIONS Oaklands is superbly situated for both city and rural pursuits. Two miles from the town of Falkirk, and less than 30 minutes from Glasgow, Edinburgh (the airport is just 20 minutes), and Stirling, the Gateway to the Highlands, Laurieston can truly be said to be in the centre of Scotland. Access is easy, with the M9 motorwary (Junction 5) just minutes away, and Polmont Station with its direct rail links to all three cities very close by. There is an endless list of local opportunities. Oaklands is very close to Callendar House and the amazing Falkirk Wheel, one of Scotland's greatest engineering achievements. Walkers can enjoy a range of different types of walk: canal, country park (Callendar Park, Muiravonside with its magnificent aqueduct built by Thomas Telford), Roman wall, seashore, or historic battle site (Bannockburn 1314, and Sherriffmuir 1715). The historic town of Linlithgow is also close by, the Palace having been visited both by Robert the Bruce and Mary, Queen of Scots. Cyclists can enjoy the Forth and Clyde canal towpath which includes a stop at the Falkirk Wheel, and a torch lit journey through a mile long tunnel. Shoppers can get personal advice from Helen and Andrew as to where to go and what to do in Glasgow, Edinburgh or Stirling. Tourists can venture from here to almost any part of Scotland within a couple of hours.

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Copyright © 2005, Oaklands Bed and Breakfast