Discover the heart of Scotland's history

Inspired to explore Scotland's History but short on time? A project from the Forth Valley can help visitors uncover over 2000 years of history within a 30-mile area. Forth's Timeline can help travellers plan a trip around the stories and people who have shaped the whole of Scotland.

From tribal beginnings, the Roman era, William Wallace, Robert Bruce, Mary Queen of Scots and the industrial revolution, the Forth Valley provides a window into the heart of Scottish history.

By linking 16 historic and cultural exhibitions, Forth's Timeline can help travellers plan a trip around the stories and people who have shaped the whole of Scotland. From tribal beginnings, the Roman era, William Wallace, Robert Bruce, Mary Queen of Scots and the men and women behind the industrial revolution the Forth Valley provides a window into the heart of Scottish history.With many of the attractions accessible by train and less than an hour’s journey from Glasgow and Edinburgh, there is a whole host of history out there to discover.

The Forth’s Timeline visitor brochure and website, www.forthstimeline.net, connect the project’s buildings and objects using three themes, ‘Crucible of Industry’, ‘Power Struggles’ and ‘Landscape of Inspiration’. The next stage in the project will involve a trail of interactive audio information beside selected objects and a series of video podcasts.

Together, the Forth’s Timeline museums, galleries and historic buildings welcome over 350,000 tourists a year. The project aims to raise the profile of the area and bring additional economic benefit to a region that finds over 10% of its workforce in tourism related occupations.

During this financial year, Forth’s Timeline received £134,000 from the Regional Development Challenge Fund. A £3.5 million fund managed on behalf of the Scottish Government by Museums Galleries Scotland to develop Scotland's museum sector through local partnerships

Falkirk Council lead the project in partnership with Clackmannanshire Council and the Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum. The project has brought on board supporters such as First ScotRail, Scotland’s national train operator, as travel partner and VisitScotland to target international visitors for Homecoming Scotland 2009.

Councillor Adrian Mahoney, Falkirk Council's Convener of the Environment and Heritage Committee, said: "The Forth Valley area has some great museums and historic buildings - telling fantastic stories going back thousands of years. Hopefully the Forth's Timeline project will make people more aware of the amazing heritage we have in this area and encourage lots more people to pay us a visit."

For more information, log on to Forthstimeline.net.