Visitor Information for Callander, Scotland
SEE Callander in the National Park at the 'centre of Scotland',
STAY and Explore Scotland from a spectacular base!
Visit 'the 
of the Park' This is possibly the most popular choice of destination for most visitors!
Callander, Perthshire in the Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park in Scotland is a small highland town & tourist resort with ample B&B and self catering cottages, Log cabins and lodges etc. Callander is the eastern gateway to the National Park and has a great range of shops, gift shops, woollen shops and amenities .
See the Callander photo gallery . Contact :Email . Map of Callander
You'll find Callander in Scotland on the UK map about 15 miles north west of Stirling on the edge of the highlands of Scotland at the southern end of the Pass of Leny. Right on the edge of the Highlands you have the spectacular mountain scenery and lochs to east, west and north and to the south, the convenience of easy access to and from the main cities and tourist attractions of the central belt.
The Information Centre in Callander may be
emailed at callander@visitscotland.com or Telephone: 08707 200 604
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Callander Visitor Information ................. Property Page
Easy Access
For the international tourist, travel by air to Scotland is convenient with international airports at both Edinburgh and Glasgow, both of which provide car rental facilities. Car rentals are of course widely available all over Scotland .
As a rough guide, travelling time from either of these airports by car to Callander is around 1¼hours.
Main road access from other parts of the UK is very easy via the motorway network then A81 from the west or A84 from Stirling. Callander is totally highland in nature yet just 14 miles from the M9 motorway.
Public transport to and from Stirling is adequately provided by the national bus and rail network from all parts of the UK and Scotland. There is a frequent local bus service from Stirling to Callander. Timetable information may be obtained at local bus stations, bus stops and from any rail station. See the Bus Services page .
Location of Callander in Scotland
Scotland's geography has been very kind to Callander. Being centrally located in Scotland, a huge variety of day trips and activities are possible within easy driving distance. The map shows that Scotland's main shopping towns of Stirling, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Perth - Perthshire are all within one hours drive. These also offer a range of other attractions such as museums, art galleries, historical buildings etc. Major cities all boast their own tourist information centres.
The Surroundings
Callander in Perthshire is itself an attractive town situated at the confluence of two rivers and in an area of outstanding natural beauty known as The Trossachs on the edge of the Scottish highlands. Explore the area, see Loch Venachar and Loch Lubnaig. Add 15 minutes and you can include Loch Achray, Loch Katrine and the Lake of Mentieth. Loch Lomond is just an hour away. These Lochs between them offer sailing, water ski-ing, steamer trips, fishing and of course magnificent scenery and walks. Just have a look at the local map to Explore Callander in Scotland's Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park.
These scenic surroundings in Scotland combined with the numbers and variety of Lochs and rivers make this a natural playground for even the most demanding visitor.
Ben Ledi, Callander's own highland 'Ben', looks down on the town from a distance of about 2 miles - it's a great energetic way to a wonderful view.
Things to do and places to visit
See also the local attractions page
Inchmahome Priory
About 8 miles from Callander on the Lake of Menteith, are the ruins of a 13th c. Augustinian Monastery. At Port of Menteith take the ferry for the trip to the island and watch for some of the birds that visit or live on the Lake, including grebe, goldeneye, tufted duck, mallards, geese, herons and swans.
The Priory is on Inchmahome ("Inch" meaning an island), the largest of three islands in the centre of Lake of Menteith, close to Callander, Scotland. The name "Inchmahome" comes from Innis MoCholmaig, meaning Island of St Colmaig. The priory was founded in 1238 by the Earl of Menteith, Walter Comyn, for a community of the Augustinian order. There is some evidence that there was a church on the island before the priory was established.
The priory has a long history of receiving many notable guests. King Robert the Bruce visited three times, in 1306, 1308 and 1310. His visits were likely politically motived, as the first abbot had sworn allegiance to Edward the I, the English King. In 1358 the future King Robert II also stayed at the priory. In 1547 the priory served as a refuge for Mary Queen of Scots, aged four, hidden here for a few weeks following the disastrous defeat of the Scots army at the Battle of Pinkie Cleugh during the Rough Wooing.
With a little imagination you can take yourself back to those tumultuous times and guess how young Mary felt here.
Open April to September, Monday to Saturday 09:30 - 18:30 and Sunday 14:00 - 18:30.
8 mile south of Callander on A81)
Argaty Red Kites Centre and the Trossachs Birds of Prey Trail
Scotland's only red kite feeding station where visitors can watch these exciting birds and their spectacular flying.
Drive, cycle or walk the Trossachs Bird of Prey Trail
The Trossachs
To be accurate the Trossachs are a small area between Ben A'an and Ben Venue, and Lochs Katrine and Achray. More recently, the term has been used to define the whole of the area from Callander to Lochs Katrine and Lomond. Whatever the definition, this beautiful area is something the visitor must not miss. Go there to sail on the SS Walter Scott, for the restaurant, the view, walk the Achray woods or up the loch or climb Ben Venue or Ben A'an.
(8 mile west of Callander)
Loch Katrine
(8 mile west of Callender)
Loch Katrine was enlarged in 1859 to become the first reliable piped water supply for the city of Glasgow. The loch is famous for its magnificent scenery and for the Steamship Sir Walter Scott which makes daily trips up the loch with its cargo of tourists. Glengyle, at the west end of the Loch was the land of the MacGregors, birthplace of Rob Roy and the MacGregor Clan burial ground is on an artificial island at the west end of the loch.
For more information and times of sailings, tel 01877 376 316.
Scenery and Drives
Situated near the geographical centre of Scotland, Callander here in Perthshire makes a marvelous base from which you can drive through some of the best scenery in the UK. The area to the north, east and west is typical highland countryside giving a very agreeable variety of scenery, with lochs, mountains, rivers and moorland. Most parts of Scotland can be easily reached by car.
For some handy guides with information on a variety of trips out in the car, see the cartrips page.
Walking
There is a huge variety of walks for all levels of fitness. Everything from a short, level exploration of the town to a full day's energetic walking in the surrounding mountains and hills.
Cycling
Cycleway C7 passes through town on its way to Killin. Lots of other routes are available in woodlands and hill tracks.
Callander's Community Newspaper
The 'Ben Ledi View' is our monthly community newspaper which carries loads of information about Callander and the Trossachs. To enquire about having your own copy delivered or placing adverts, visit the website
Character Sketches of Old Callander by James Macdonald.
This book reminds us of the diversity of Scottish characters of the past.
It costs £11.50 and may be obtained at present from:
- The Rob Roy Visitor Centre
- The Honey Shop in Cross Street
- King's Book Shop, Main Street
- South Church Street Library
New in 2007 - Go-Ape!
Swing high in the trees if you like a little excitement
More Things to see and Do
Cycling?
Mounter's Bikes
in Callander town centre.
Discounts for Group Bookings
(Schools, Clubs, etc)
or
Wheels Cycling Centre
Cycle hire just outside town
at Invertrossachs
Enjoy your stay in Callander, read this guide - and don't forget to visit Loch Lomond
Scottish Accommodation
Trossachs Holiday accommodation is in the Scotland Accommodation page. Book early as accommodation fills quickly - especially near Xmas. See self catering holiday cottages in Scotland, chalets self catering apartments Callander Trossachs on the accommodation page. Book Scottish Holiday Accommodation Callander Guest Houses & bed & breakfast Trossachs B&B
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Disclaimer Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park The Trossachs Perthshire Scotland Hotels in Callander Hotels
See Loch Lomond Scotland holiday accommodation Scotland B&B, Scottish Bed and Breakfast in Scotland, Callander Self Catering Stirling Trossachs and Callander homepage Perth & Perthshire Crieff in Strathearn
Loch Lomond, Callander and Trossachs
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Callander - the place to be in The Trossachs.
The Trossachs - the place to be in the Loch Lomond National Park