Falkirk: Why we’ve had to change Lindsays National XC course to preserve Antonine Wall

Saturday 15th February 2025

Photo by Bobby Gavin

The Lindsays National XC is only one week away and we can’t wait to welcome hundreds of athletes to Falkirk next Saturday.

Historic Callendar Park has become the permanent home for this event for almost 20 years now after arriving there in 2006.

Course changes have happened over the period and competitors next weekend will be met with a different challenge to recent years.

Alasdhair Love, Head of Competition, Mike Johnston, Convenor of our Road Running and Cross Country Commission and Alex Jackson, Event Convenor, have been working with Falkirk Council, Historic Environment Scotland and our regular course designers/architects Andy Stevenson and Dave Lothian of Falkirk Victoria Harriers.

As a result of those conversations and site visits, athleted will run more on the golf course than in recent years and not ‘along the top’ close to the Antonine Wall and the high flats.

Key features like the start and finish areas – in front of Callendar House itself – essentially remain, although there has been a change to the finish straight as requested by the authorities mentioned above.

‘Over the years at Callendar Park, the course has regularly changed to meet challenges presented by development in the park and to help preserve the environment,’ said Mike.

‘This year we were requested to redevelop the course so that there was more protection for the historic site of the Antonine Wall and we were keen to help.

‘Following discussions with Historic Environment Scotland and Falkirk District Council, our course architects from Falkirk Victoria Harriers have redesigned the running route using some new areas of the old Golf Course.

‘Whilst providing a new challenge, the redesigned course promises to be more spectator friendly and that’s always good when around 100 of our clubs are being represented.

‘The National XC has a long and highly successful history. The men’s competition dates back to 1886 when it was first contested at Lanark Racecourse, while the inaugural women’s event was at Hamilton Park Racecourse in 1932.’

A full history and results can be found online