Callander

Callander is a Village in the area of Perthshire known as the Trossachs, 14 miles northwest of Stirling, on one of the main routes into the Highlands.

The Village is popular for walking on the Rob Roy Way, the 23 mile Cycle Lane between Callander and Killin, the scenic mountain road between Callander and Aberfoyle passing Loch Katrine for boat trips, the Hilltop Lodge with a Go Ape centre, and Inchmahome Priory on an Island.

There are a number of popular Mountains for hiking such as the 1,512ft Ben A'an, 2,391ft Ben Venue, and 2,883ft Ben Ledi, all with stunning views across Loch Katrine or Loch Lubnaig.

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Camping & Touring Parks in area

The area has two Holiday Lodge Parks, Leny Estate 1 mile northwest, and Forest Holidays Strathyre 4 miles northwest.

The image top right is of the large car park next to the River Teith.

The image second top is of the River Teith by the car park, a popular place for a walk or for laying around in the sun.

At the riverside is Kessog's Hill, said to be the spot where St Kessog preached to his congregation. The hill is also thought to have contained a small fortress in the 1100s.

The Main Street contains most of the Shops, Cafes, and Hotels. In the centre of the Main Street is the Memorial Square. Across the road from the memorial is the Visitor Centre in the former St Kessog's Church.

Next to the Visitor Centre is the Fudge Shop, one of a number of interesting small shops in the village.

The Dreadnought Hotel is one of a number of Hotels in the Village, most with popular bar diners.

Loch Katrine is 9 miles west of Callander via the scenic hill road that runs between Callander and Aberfoyle.

Loch Katrine has Boat Trips and a Cycle Lane alongside the Loch. There are a few trips, including bike out and boat back.

This area is where Rob Roy the 1700s Scottish outlaw was born and lived.

The hill road then leads 6 miles from Loch Katrine to Aberfoyle, another popular village in the Trossachs area.

The image bottom right is of The Lodge forest visitor centre high in the hills above Aberfoyle. The Lodge has a Museum giving information on the area, a cafe with great views, a Go Ape activity centre, walking routes, and a forest drive past three lochs.

Callander history began when the Romans built a fort here in the first century AD under the name Bochastle.

1743 - a military road was built through Callander by Major Caulfeild after the outbreak of the Jacobite Risings.

1803 - William Wordsworth wrote a poem named Rob Roy's Grave, about a Scottish outlaw and Jacobite from the area in the early 1700s.

1809 - Sir Walter Scott visits Loch Katrine and the Trossachs then produces his famous poem - The Lady of the Lake, about three men fascinated by a woman in the area.

1817 - Sir Walter Scott published the novel Rob Roy creating more interest in the area.

1858 - the Railway reached Callander leading to a vast increase in visitors. The Railway closed in 1965.

1995 - the film Rob Roy starring Liam Neeson is released.

2002 - the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park is created covering around 700 square miles, with the Trossachs section being around Callander, Loch Katrine and Aberfoyle. See the Click on Map at the top of the page for Attractions and Mountains in the Park.