Home Report Grangemouth

The town of Grangemouth is home to roughly 17,000 residents and is located roughly 3 miles to the east of Falkirk. The town itself lies within the Forth Valley, on the banks of the Firth of Forth. In fact, the initial growth of the town in the 18th century relied upon its geographic location, when the town was predominantly a shipbuilding town and port, with trade and goods flowing through it after the construction of the Forth and Clyde canal.

Nowadays Grangemouth, while still having its port – the largest container terminal and busiest deep-water port in Scotland – is known for its large petrochemical plant, the Grangemouth Refinery, which is quite the sight at night being one of the largest of its kind in Europe. Indeed, it is one of the town’s most significant employers. The old Soap Works building, which was used to manufacture soap and glycerine, and owned by the Scottish Co-operative Wholesale Society was established in 1897, was demolished in 2005. This was the largest works of its kind in Scotland and employed a considerable number of local people. It was demolished to make way for a new Whyte and Mackay blending and bottling plant.

Naturally, transport links around the town are very good, with the M9 running past the town for connections to Stirling, Edinburgh and Glasgow. Grangemouth is also served by three nearby train stations, Falkirk High, Falkirk Grahamston, and Polmont. These all offer regular trains to Falkirk, Stirling, Glasgow Queen Street Station, Edinburgh Waverley and other major hubs farther still. The excellent transport links make it a popular commuter town like nearby Falkirk.

As for the town’s amenities, Grangemouth is well served by sports facilities generally, boasting a major sports complex, golf course and artificial ski slope, as well as the usual fitness facilities. There are also several nearby parks such as Zetland park which has crazy golf, putting, tennis courts, bouncy castle and more. Being so close to Falkirk, residents benefit from amenities and attractions there too, like the trampolining park, kids soft play centre, cinemas, Callendar House, Culross Palace, and not forgetting The Helix: Home of the Kelpies. Despite being one of the newest courses Grangemouth Golf Club is highly rated and has played host to numerous PGA events. There are several other golf courses within easy reach in and around the Falkirk area too. Plenty to do for all ages and interests.

In terms of local schooling, Grangemouth has four primary schools: Bowhouse Primary School, Beancross Primary School, Moray Primary School and Sacred Heart R.C. Primary School. The former three are within the catchment area of Grangemouth High School and the latter is a catchment primary school for St. Mungo’s High School. Grangemouth High School was recently rebuilt with new facilities such as an indoor swimming pool, dance studio, a gym, and an outdoor football pitch.