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

What to see and do in Callander, The Trossachs, FK17, 01877

SEE Callander in the 'centre of Scotland', STAY and Explore !

A Callander Community Website operated by Callander Enterprise
Callander Heritage Trail - a walk around historic Callander.

Callander! the most popular choice of destination for most visitors!
Walking, Cycling, Scenery, Fishing, Golf, Waterfalls, Mountains, Lochs.
Things to Do when you Visit Callander

Outdoors activities

Maps of Scotland
Walking & Hillwalking
Equipment Hire
Cycling & Mountain Bike
Trossachs Fishing . Golf
Trossachs Pony-Trekking
Canoe hire & sales
Motorbike Routes
Classic car mini tours

More things to do

Trossachs Trundler Bus Timetables

Contact :

Where to Eat in Callander

The new bridge over the spectacular Bracklinn Falls at Callander.
Bracklinn Falls Footbridge

Old Trossachs Images

Natures corner health food shop in Callander
Healthy pets
healthy people

 

In the Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park in Scotland,
Callander is a lively and bustling highland town & tourist resort with ample B&B and self catering cottages, Log cabins and lodges etc. The largest town in the National Park, it has a range of shops, gift shops, woollen shops & amenities .

.See the Scottish Family History Free genealogy resources
including Callander War Memorial inscriptions and images.

You'll find Callander in Scotland on the map of Scotland about 15 miles north west of Stirling on the edge of the highlands at the southern end of the Pass of Leny. On the edge of the Highlands this photographer's dream of mountain scenery and lochs to east, west and north and south, has convenient easy access to and from the main cities and tourist attractions of the central belt.

Click the images below for full size photo

Callander Meadows Roman Camp walk and the River Teith Loch Venachar from Callander Crags Skyline from the upper Crags Walk
CallanderTom na Chessaig Ben Ledi from Callander's Red Bridge Callander Ancaster Square and Rob Roy Centre Callander Main Street and Ben Ledi

Callander 2 day Highland Games  Last Weekend July

Callander visitor Centre callander@visitscotland.com or tel: 08707 200 604

Easy Access

Callander in winter with Ben Ledi covered in snowFor 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 1¼ hours. 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 The Trossachs, Scotland

Geography has been very kind to Callander. Being centrally located, a huge variety of day trips and activities are possible within easy driving distance. The main shopping towns of Stirling, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Perth are all within one hours drive.

The Surroundings

The trossachs at Loch KatrineCallander 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. These scenic surroundings 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.

Heritage Places in and around Callander

Callander map callander map
  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.
  1. 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.
  2. Dunmore Iron Age Hill Fort is well defended by a steep cliff and a series of ramparts and has a 'dewpond' at the top.
  3. Samson's 'Putting' Stone is a glacial erratic left by the Ice Age about 10,000 years ago.
  4. 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.
  5. The Red Well is a Chalybeate Spring which was renowned for its remedial properties.
  6. At the Bracklinn Falls there is a new bridge which offers an excellent viewpoint.
  7. Auchenlaich Iron Age Hill Fort has a commanding position in Brackland Glen.
  8. Auchenlaich Chambered Cairn is the longest known Neolithic burial cairn in Scotland at 322m.

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.

Lady Kentmore's Antiques
A vast collection of collectibles where you could spend all day if you had the time - got some time to spare?

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)

The Trossachs  

image of The Trossachs near Callander Scotland

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 of The Trossachs 
(8 mile west of Callender)

photo of Loch KatrineLoch 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 information and times of sailings, tel 01877 376 316.

Callander Jazz Festival

Yearly, in the Autumn around October, Callander is host to The Callander Jazz and Blues Festival which brings many bands and performers to the town and surrounding villages for a 3 day extravaganza of Blues and Jazz with a Jazz Cruise on Loch Katrine. This annual event attracts hundreds of visitors to the town for the festival - book your accommodation early!

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Enjoy your stay in Callander, read this guide - and don't forget to visit Loch Lomond

image of callander meadows

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

image - dusk in Callander

You can explore this site using the menus above or the links below

More Things to see and Do

Sitemap
Panoramic Photos
Guest-book
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 Accommodation
Map of Callander

More Things to do
What's On?

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Highland Games

Self Catering Scotland
Callander B&B
Trossachs Self Catering
  Creagan B&B Restaurant Log Cabins Lochearnhead
Hotel Callander
Cottage Lochearnhead

Diamond Wire Saws Diamond Tools Diamond wire cutting

Go-Ape!
Swing high in the trees if you like a little excitement. The longest zip wire in the UK.

McLaren Leisure & Fitness Centre :

Leisure Swimming-pool   Sauna/Jacuzzi/Steam Room • Fitness Suite • Indoor Climbing Wall • Cafe

Bracklinn Falls
The walks
and the story

Visit the most spectacular falls in the area with the new bridge providing a viewpoint right above the highest cascade
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Argaty Red Kites Centre and the Trossachs Birds of Prey Trail

kite at Argaty near CallanderScotland'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

Visit the old St Kessogs graveyard

The inscriptions on the legible headstones are listed here

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

lediThere 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

This book reminds us of the diversity of Scottish characters of the past. Costing £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

Blair Drummond Safari Park

Wild Animal Reserves, Pet's Farm, Sea Lions, Adventure Play Area, Pirate Ship & Buried Treasure, Astraglide, Boats to Chimp Island, Pedalos, Bird of Prey Centre & Display, 'Flying Fox' and Picnic and Barbeque Areas. Open March to October.

The 'Trossachs Trundler' bus service
Suspended for 2010 - click for alternative

This service, runs every day except Wednesdays from the end of May until October. The circular route provides a jump-on-jump-off service to a wide range of walks, bike trips & attractions. Passengers can access sailings of the steamer SS Sir Walter Scott on Loch Katrine, boat and fishing hire at Loch Venachar, Go Ape tree top adventure at the David Marshal Lodge, Aberfoyle, as well as hill walks such as Ben A'an & Ben Venue.
Leaving from Callander, The Trundler route takes in Kilmahog, Loch Venachar, Brig o'Turk, Loch Katrine, David Marshall Lodge, Aberfoyle and Port of Menteith.

Where to Eat in Callander

Ciro's Italian Restaurant, Callander

Callander Meadows Restaurant

Poppies Hotel & Restaurant.Callander

Mhor Fish

Mhor Bread Tearoom. Callander

The Old Bank Restaurant, Callander

Poppies Hotel & Restaurant.Callander

 

The Old Bank Restaurant, Callander

The Waverley Hotel, Callander

The Lade Inn Kilmahog

Deli Ecosse Cafe, Callander

Trossachs Hotels

Ciro's Italian Restaurant, Callander

Callander Meadows Restaurant


Hotels in Callander Hotels Loch Lomond, Callander and Trossachs

Outdoor Activities Rob Roy MacGregor Southern Villages Trossachs Guest Houses Trossachs Killin & Breadalbane
Loch Earn
Aberfoyle St Fillans Loch Katrine Steamer The Trossachs and things to see and do

Callander - the place to be in The Trossachs.
The Trossachs - the place to be in the Loch Lomond National Park


Things to Do in The Trossachs

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