Airth is a village which is steeped in the past, a quick glimpse through the pages of history reveals how this village, though small in size, has nevertheless made a valuable contribution to the exciting and colourful moments of historical romance which make up Scotland's past.

As you approach Airth from Falkirk there is no mistaking Airth Castle (now a luxury hotel) perched high upon its rock. Its tower is reckoned to date back to the 16 th century or even possibly the late 15 th century. Part of the castle was burnt down in the troubles which preceded the battle of Sauchieburn. Legend tells us that Sir William Wallace, that great champion of Scottish rights, came to the rescue of his uncle, a priest from Dunipace, and who was cruelly imprisoned by Thomlin Weir, a captain in the English army. Wallace set out to rescue his uncle and ruthlessly put to the sword 100 men who made up the garrison. Adjoining the castle is the old parish church where members of the families of Bruce and Elphinstone are buried.

Airth is almost unique in Scotland as it has two mercat or market crosses still in existence. One of rude hewn simplicity of the old, long gone village of Airth . The site of this cross is approximately half way between Airth Castle and the site of the old village of Airth or High (Haigh) Airth. The cross is now in a position close to the original site, being relocated due to new housing.

The mercat cross (erected 1697) in the High Street, is a very fine example of its kind, indicating that Airth had the jealously guarded right to hold a market. Raised to the status of a burgh of barony on Christmas 1597, the charter allowed Airth a market once a week and two fairs each year. The baron was also given permission to erect a tollbooth. This of course annoyed the people of the Royal Burgh of Stirling who regarded this step as an infringement of their rights.

The village has long association with the River Forth and it was on the banks of the river that a royal dockyard was created. It was used during the years 1507-1513 in the reign of James IV to build ships of war at the pool of Airth. History reveals that a primitive form of dry dock was used. Strong timbers would be used to form the “stocks” for the vessel and a clay dam would prevent the river from penetrating the working area. When the ship was ready, the dam would be breached, at high tide, to enable it to float out into the river. The shipping fleet was destroyed in 1745 by Bonnie Prince Charlie when some ship to shore skirmishes took place by batteries set by Jacobites to drive off the government ships. A number of smaller vessels from the village were burned by loyalist troops and that proved damaging to Airth's subsequent development as a port. However, as late as 1820 sloops built in the shipyards at Airth were among those recorded as operating in the middle of the Forth .