Callander House is situated on the east side
of Falkirk, with much of the Town now
built around the estate.
The House is normally open to visitors 10am
– 5pm Wednesday to Monday free of charge.
Postcode: FK1 1YR.
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Attractions
Camping & Touring Parks in
area
The image top is of the front of Callander
House.
The second image is of the remains of the
Antonine Wall at the rear of the House.
The House is now used as a Museum covering
the history of Falkirk and the House from the
1000s to 1900s.
You can view the Old Kitchen and taste food
made from recipes from hundreds of years back,
then upstairs there is a vast museum covering
the early wars, the evolution of Falkirk,
industrial revolution, sport, and an art
gallery.
On the east side of the house is a kids play
area and boating pond.
On the west side is a kids play area with a
snacks kiosk.
Callander House History
140s - The Romans built the Antonine Wall
across central Scotland, passing through the
area where Falkirk and Callander Estate are
today.
1100s - the Callander family owned Callander
Estate with their house known as Thanes Hall,
said to be a large wooden building. Nothing can
be seen of Thanes Hall today.
1300s - Sir Patrick Callander had the estate
taken from him after supporting Edward Balliol
in his battles with Robert the Bruce.
1345 - Callander Estate was awarded to Sir
William Livingston by King David II, son of
Robert the Bruce. Sir William was married to
Christian Callander, daughter of Sir
Patrick.
1400s - the Livingston's built a Tower House
close to Thanes Hall.
1600s - James, 8th Lord Livingston, fought
on the King's side during the Civil Wars.
1641 - James was created 1st Earl of
Callander by Charles I.
1651 - Callander House was besieged by
Cromwell's army with James forced into
hiding.
1660 - James returned to Callander House
following the Restoration of the Stuart Kings
in 1660. He then set about building a large
Mansion around the original Tower House in
Continental Classical style.
1688 - the Jacobite Rebellions began over
the Catholic Stuart Kings being removed from
power.
1715 - James Livingston, 4th Earl of
Callander, was forced into exile abroad after
backing the Jacobite's in their failed
quest to have the Stuart's returned to the
Throne.
Callander Estate was then sold to the York
Buildings Company.
1724 - Callander House was leased back to
the Earl's daughter, Lady Anne Livingston.
1746 January - Lady Anne invited the
Jacobite Bonnie Prince Charlie to stay at
Callander House before the Battle of Falkirk
Muir.
1746 April - the Jacobite defeat at the
Battle of Culloden led to Lady Anne's
husband, the Earl of Kilmarnock, being beheaded
for treason.
1747 - Lady Anne's death led to her son
James Hay, living at Callander House until his
death in 1778.
1783 - Callander House and Estate were sold
at Auction to the Aberdeen coppersmith William
Forbes.
Forbes and his descendants changed the house
considerably, with the most notable being the
French Chateau style roofs.
1963 - Callander House was purchased along
with some of the Estate by Falkirk Burgh
Council.
The Council now run the House and Estate as
tourist attractions with the House holding a
large Museum covering the history of the House,
Falkirk Town, Industrial Revolution, and the
Area, free of charge.
The Estate is open to the public with Walks,
Boating Pond, Kids Play, and Snack Kiosk.
1990 - an archaeological dig uncovered the
foundations of a large wooden building,
radio-carbon dated to the 900s. This is thought
to be the remains of Thanes Hall, around 80ft
long by 25ft wide, standing on land known as
Palace Hill, a short distance northeast of
Callander House.
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