Callander Information, Town Guide & Jazz Festival in The Trossachs Scotland

1. TheVisitScotland Information Centre was formerly the parish church of St. Kessog's with its spire dominating the town.
2. The War Memorial is surmounted by the Lion of Scotland and also depicts a clansman holding the Fiery Cross, the symbol of Callander.
3. The Dreadnought Hotel was built in 1820 for the chieftain of Clan MacNab, which has the motto 'Dread Nought'.
4. Tom na Chessaig is claimed to be the mound from which St Kessog preached in the 6th century.
5. The Old Burgh Graveyard includes an early 19th century hexagonal Watch House.
6. Callander Kirk was built in 1844 as the Free Church after 'the Disruption'. It merged with St. Kessog's in 1985.
7. Callander Kirk Hall was once the Free Church School, funded by a donation from local man Donald McLaren in 1849. .,
8. Little Leny is the burial ground of the Buchanan's of Leny. A13th century chapel here was administered by the canons of Inchmahome Priory. The stone of Dugald Buchanan, the Gaelic writer and translator, is in the enclosure.

9. The Roman Fort near Bochastle was built during the 1st century in an attempt to contain the ‘wild occupants’ of the highlands by closing off the exit from the Pass of Leny.
10. Dunmore Iron Age Hill Fort is well defended by a steep cliff and a series of ramparts and has a 'dewpond' at the top.
11. Samson's 'Putting' Stone is a glacial erratic left by the Ice Age about 10,000 years ago.
12. The Queen Victoria Diamond Jubilee Cairn was built in 1897 and stands on the highest point of Callander Crags offering a 360° vista of excellent views.
13. The Red Well is a Chalybeate Spring which was renowned for its remedial properties.
14. At the Bracklinn Falls there is a new bridge which offers an excellent viewpoint.
15. Auchenlaich Iron Age Hill Fort has a commanding position in Brackland Glen.
16. Auchenlaich Chambered Cairn is the longest known Neolithic burial cairn in Scotland at 322m.

SPECIAL SCOTTSLAND EVENTS - JUNE to OCTOBER 2010

ScottsLand, Celebrate the Language of the Landscape marks the 200th anniversary of the publication of Sir Walter Scott's poem Lady of the Lake, which generated the first surge of tourists to the Trossachs and Scotland.
From June to October 2010 ScottsLand, a diverse programme of cultural and literary events, promoted by Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, will take place throughout the Trossachs to celebrate the poem, the heritage and the landscapes. They include: an art and literary trail, The Chase sports event, The Lady of the Lake Concert a traditional Scottish musical event inspired by the poem, a film festival, a literary conference and exhibitions, guided walks and cruises.

Things to do and places to visit
See also the local attractions page

Hamilton Toy Museum, Callander

Dolls, Model Soldiers, Teddy Bears, Tin Toys, Die Cast Vehicles, Model Railways, Books, Slot Cars. In five rooms and many display cases, plus 2 collectors shops selling old and new toys and books.

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.
Open April to September, Mon to Sat 09:30 - 18:30 and Sunday 14:00 - 18:30. 8 mile south of Callander on A81)