About Callander and places to visit

The eastern 'Gateway to the Trossachs', Callander is is now in Scotland's first National Park, established in 2002 with a wiew to preserving and improving the amenity of the area..

The Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National park is a natural playground with something for everyone, scenery, outdoor activities, history, tradition. The area has been an attraction for visitors for over 150 years and was a favourite of Queen Victoria who stayed close to Callander on her many visits. Nothing has been lost with the passing of time.

Callander is a small town with a population of around 2000 which means there is a good selection of retail outlets, some of which are:

Callander also has its own leisure centre with swimming pool, tennis, gymnasium, squash, climbing wall, etc. The centre is on the south side of the river Teith about 10 -15 minutes walk from Ashwood house.

The local visitor information centre - 'The Rob-Roy Centre' has a good stock of travel publications, maps and other useful information.
Housed in the same building - a magnificent converted church in the town square is the  'Rob Roy Experience', an audio visual experience relating the life story of Rob Roy MacGregor.

The Hamilton Toy Collection Museum is also in Callander's main street and boasts a marvelouse array of childrens' toys from the 19th and 20th centuries.

The area around Callander abounds with scenic and other attractions such as:

See Scotland from Callander

Edinburgh and Glasgow are easily reached from Callander and within about an hour's drive. Situated fairly centrally in Scotland, Callander is an excellent base from which to visit the main cities in Scotland. Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stirling, Perth, Pitlochry, the list seems endless. There are lots of places to visit and most places you visit offer loads of things to do, even on a wet day. Even the more distant towns are within a days return drive if you set off a little bit early. It is quite possible to set off for a day tour and visit two or three interesting towns although some will easily justify a whole day visit.

 Stirling  

14 miles / 20 minutes from Callander

A great place to visit on a wet day. Stirling has a good selection of shops and a modern indoor shopping mall with most of Scotland's well known High Street stores.

If you're not in the mood for shopping, there is a good selection of tourist attractions to keep you well entertained.

Stirling Castle

Stirling Castle sits on a volcanic crag at the head of the old town with magnificent views over the Highlands to the north and the river Forth to the west. There is a large carpark on the castle esplanade and an information centre next to the carpark.
Considered by many to be the grandest of all Scotlands castles. The castle architecture is outstanding - the gatehouse and recently restored Great Hall of James iv, the marvellous Renaissance Palace of James V and the Chapel Royal of James VI. The castle has strong links with Mary Queen of Scots. She was crowned in the Chapel in 1543 and narrowly escaped death by fire in 1561. Her son, the future James VI, was baptised here in 1566. Medieval kitchens display and exhibition on life in the royal palace.
Invading forces have occupied the castle from time to time, notably 'Edward's Army' prior to the Battle o' the Brig when Edward's forces were defeated just below the castle by William Wallace.

Argyll's Lodging

In Stirling’s historic old town just 2 minutes walk down from the castle.

The finest and most complete surviving example in Scotland of a 17th-century town residence. Built by Sir William Alexander, founder of Nova Scotia, it passed to the Argyll family on his death. The principal rooms - induding the laigh hall, dining room, drawing room and bedchamber - are magnificently restored and furnished as they would have appeared during the 9th Earl of Argyll’s occupation around 1680.

The Jail

The town's 400 year old Tolbooth jail which was used until 1847 is passed on the left on the way up the hill to the castle.
Today you can put yourself into the prisoners shoes and discover what life must have been like behind bars, in a history tour of up to 150 years ago.

You may be introduced to Jock Rankin. In Jock’s day justice was seen to be done and it was common practice for criminals to be publicly whipped, branded, banished or hanged. The Victorian reformers preferred to focus on moral correction rather than physical punishment. You can decide for yourself whether prison life was any more bearable under the new regime. As you tour the jail, visit the prisoners in their cells, learn about their daily life and the strict regime implemented to correct their morals.
As you travel round the dark corridors inspecting the cells you’ll experience the atmosphere of jail life.
After visiting the jail you can make your escape in the glass panelled lift onto the prison roof. Here you can enjoy breathtaking views over Stirling Old Town, the Forth Valley and away to the first mountain ranges of the Highlands.

Dunblane  

11 miles / 15 minutes from Callander
The Cathedral town of Dunblane lies on a long slope beside the river and has the luxury of its own railway station on the Stirling - Perth / Inverness railway.

History

The main street leads up to the Dunblane Cathedral at the top of the hill and also to a library with an interesting collection of antiquarian books. Some interesting buildings can be seen around the cathedral.

Perth  

35 miles / 45 minutes from Callander via Doune.
55 miles / 90 minutes via Lochearn & Crieff but a nicer drive.

Perth lies on the River Tay and is the old capital of Scotland.

Shopping

Perth is well provided with an excellent variety of shops in the traditional 'street setting' and in wet weather its best to be prepared as there is only a very small indoor shopping mall. There are some very good 'Collectables' shops and a fair selection of places to get a snack.

Recreation

There are two huge parks known as the North and South 'Inches'. These parks provide golf, putting and boating. Close to the North Inch is the Bells Sport Centre and the Balhousie Military Museum.

History

Huntingtower castle where the young King James iv of Scotland was held prisoner is one mile to the east of Perth on the road to Crieff and is worth a visit.
Elcho Castle is also worth a visit and it's a nice drive out past the South Inch on the Edinburgh road. Watch for a sign just before the motorway indicating 'Rhynd'. Follow for 3 miles and watch for the signpost to Elcho.
Two miles from Perth is Scone Palace where the the ancient Kings of Scotland were crowned on the Stone Of Destiny which was removed to London by Edward ii where it remained until the 50's when it was 'stolen' by a group of students who returned it to Scotland - until the police found it and re- exported it to London. The stone now lies in Edinburgh Castle.
St John's Kirk near the town centre is worth a visit if that kind of thing interests you. This is the church where Jenny Geddes famously threw her stool at John Knox during his sermon.

Scenery

An easy half hour walk takes you to the top of Kinnoull hill (700ft) which provides marvelous views down the Carse of Gowrie to the east and spectacular views to the north of the Grampian mountains from Glenshee in the east to Stuc a Chroin and Ben Vorlich in the west.

Glasgow  

About 40 miles / 60 mins from Callander

Shopping

The city centre, including the pedestrianised areas of Buchanan Street, Argyll Street and Sauchiehall Street, is a great shopping district. Visit the Argyll Arcade, one of Britain's oldest covered arcades, built 1827,  and the new Buchanan Galleries, the UK's largest city centre retail project, (huge multi storey car park). The West End has a wealth of unique bookshops, antique stores and second-hand clothing emporiums.

Take a trip round The Barras. The open-air street market between Gallowgate and London Road in the East End is open for business at the weekends for the sale of antiques, bric-à-brac, clothing and food. Popular 'traditional' purchases include woollens, tartan scarves and kilts, Celtic jewellery, golfing equipment and, of course, whisky.

Main tourist attractions in Glasgow

KELVINGROVE ART GALLERY AND MUSEUM

West from Argyle St and Sauchiehall St nr Kelvingrove Park. Huge Victorian sandstone buiilding. Natural history/Scottish history museum. The upper areas contain the city’s British and European art collection. There are strong contemporary exhibs as well as the permanent collection. Pipe-organ recitals every alternate Sun. Tearoom. The Museum of Transport is nearby.

GLASGOW CATHEDRAL and PROVAND'S LORDSHIP

In the High St. and facing each other across the road, they are in the oldest part of the city, which was, in the early 18th Century, merely a tangle of streets from here to the river. The present Cathedral, though established by St Mungo in AD 543, dates from the 12^th century. Next to the Glasgow Royal Infirmary - itself quite an old and interesting bit of architecture

The Glasgow Necropolis up on the hill to the east of the hospital is also worth a visit.

THE PEOPLE’S PALACE:

Reopened after renovations in spring 1998. West via Tron and London Rd, then turn rt into Glasgow Green. This is an excellent folk museum and artefacts of the city have been collected for the future generations to inspect.

ST MUNGO MUSEUM OF RELIGIOUS LIFE.

At the Cathedral precinct. This is a collection of artifacts from the worlds main religions.

Museum of Transport.

Reminders of Glasgows cobbled past with the ressurection of the tramcars much in evidence. Also models of the river Clyde in it’s heyday.

The Tenement House

145 Buccleuch St.
A tenement flat, occupied til 1965 when left in trust. Preserved to represent the way of life when the last tenant moved out.

Edinburgh  

About 50 miles / 60 mins from Callander, but easier by train from Dunblane or Stirling.

Edinburgh is one of the UK's most visited cities and has long been a tourist favourite.
The city in itself is stunningly beautiful and Edinburgh's architecture is renowned the world over.

It has played a central role in Scottish history for hundreds of years and even today everywhere you turn there is a historical building or monument. - Of course you can see Edinburgh's Folly, the New Scottish Parliament building. We were sold the idea with an estimated cost of £40,000,000 - It's now more like £400,000,000 and getting bigger!  
It has now cost more than the new building for the EEC parliament.

Shopping

Some nice shops, but nothing out of the ordinary - but what a location and an extraordinary atmosphere! Watch out for the 'One o' Clock Gun'. If you aren't ready for it you might just levitate a little! A days foot tour of Edinburgh will leave you with sore feet, but there is no alternative to foot-slogging it in Edinburgh.

Main tourist attractions in Edinburgh:

Oban day trip 

About 60 miles / 1.5 hours from Callander via Crianlarich. Beautiful drive all the way from the Trossachs with lots to see.

Parking on the old pier and behind the shops on the main street.

Whilst you're here, try to find the time to visit Easedale just a few miles to the south for wonderful seascapes and typical old fishing villageand fishermen's cottages..

Shopping

If you're touring Scotland, this one is not to be missed. Oban has some of the high street names you would expect to find in a bustling town. Additionally it has a growing number of small businesses that illustrate the wealth of talent and skills in Argyll. These range from potters, quilters, woodworkers, jewellers, basket weavers, knitters and candle makers, to name but a few.

History

Castles such as those at Dunollie, Dunstaffnage, Kilchurn and Stalker are all worth the short trip from Oban. The Collonaded structure on the hill behind the town is known as McCaig's Folly and was built as a memorial to the McCaig family. It boasts an observation platform and is accessible by car. At the North Pier is an exhibition showing Oban's role in World War ii.

Sea life

A visit to the Oban Seal & Marine Centre lets you explore the Marine World through 30 close glass displays, the seal pup nursery, touch pools and outdoor pools where seals feed.

Boat Trips

You can cross the ferry to Mull then take a little narrow guage railway trip to see the castle.

Take a boat tour to the nearby islands with their castles, round the coast, or if you're a bit more adventurous, try a full day tour to Iona, the seat of early religion in Scotland and a wonderful experience.

Combined boat/bus/train tickets are available for many excursions.

Pitlochry  

65 miles via either Perth or via Killin and Aberfeldy (Go one way and come back the other).

Shopping

The Shops in Pitlochry are pretty much the same as those in other small  holiday towns in Scotland with the usual selection of Woollen mills, souvenir shops and eating places. The quality tends to be better than some other locations.

History

Not much history in Pitlochry, but worth a visit 4 miles north to the pass of Killiecrankie and it's visitor centre with an excellent exhibition of the Battle of Killiecrankie. Another 8 miles or so north you will find Blair Atholl Castle, the home of the only legal private army in Scotland. The castle is open to the public and is worth a visit.

Things to do

Visit the Pitlochry hydro electric dam and it's fish ladder where you can see the salmon passing up the ladder through plate glass windows.

Visit the Distillery on the southern edge of town.

Take a short car trip 2 miles north then west on the Loch Tummel road where you can see 'The Queens View' which was made famous during one of Queen Victoria's visits to Scotland. If you go at sunset you'll get some great photographs looking west to the sun reflected in the Loch.

Ten miles south of Pitlochry you will find Dunkeld, a charming little cathedral town in a lovely location. It's worth calling in there on your way back to Callander via Perth or Aberfeldy.

While at Dunkeld, also visit the Hermitage - a folly built on a rock high above a spectaculat waterfall on the river Brahan

Fort William day trip

About 60 miles / one hour

Fort William lies at the head of Loch Linnhe below the huge bulk of Scotland's highest mountain, Ben Nevis.

Shopping

About 5 out of 10 for shops - but that's not why you go to Fort William!

History

The site of a fort built by the English forces to keep the Jocks in order - Some parts remain.

Most famous for Ben Nevis and proximity to Glencoe, the site of the infamous massacre of the Clan MacDonald by the Cambells. The massacre was supposedly on the orders of King William, but was instigated by a Scot, Lord Stair of Dalrymple, who wanted some scapegoats to use as an example in order to subdue to badly behaved highlanders.

Things to do

Drive a couple of miles to the north an take a trip up the mountain in the cable car 'Gondola'. Some magnificent scenery to east and west coast on a clear day. Dont bother if the weather is mucky!

Take a steam train from Fort William to Mallaig and sail over the sea to Skye on the ferry to Armadale.

Drive another 90 minutes up the road to Kyle of Lochalsh and over the bridge to Skye or just past Kyle to Plockton for magnificent coastal scenery and a lovely wee fishing village. (Don't take a caravan as there's no room to turn). You'll find Plockton has some semi tropical plants around as Plockton benefits from the Gulf stream which keeps Scotland warm!

Aberfeldy

About 25 miles / one hour

Shops

Quite a good selection of eating places especially little cafes for a quick refreshment.

History

Robert Burns is reputed to have written the song 'The Birks of Aberfeldy' whilst sitting on a rock by the Moness Burn

General Wade built the famous 'Wade's Bridge' to help the army subjegate the wild Jocks.

The Black Watch was raised here and a commemorative Statue stands on the river bank next to Genaral Wade's Bridge

Things to do

Enjoy the beautiful drive here along the north shore of Loch Tay from Killin.

Walk up the 'Birks o' Aberfeldy' if it's a nice day.
Scurry up the 'Birks' if it's wet - the waterfall at the top is magnificent in wet weather but it's a fairish walk. (And hang on to the kids unless you want rid of them).

Visit the Old meal Mill on the Moness burn - it's just below the bridge at the war memorial.

Drive over the famous 'Wade's Bridge' on the River Tay

Visit Castle Menzies and see the room occupied by Bonnie Prince Charlie the day before Cumberland's army moved into the castle.

In the little village of Weem, see the  Clan Menzies Mausoleum at Weem (one mile) which was the parish church before being handed over to the Menzies family to serve as the family burial place.

Return by the prettier road on the south side, or you could make a detour over to Fortingal and visit the pretty little village of Fortingal with its old parish Church and the famous yew tree in the churchyard.

You can also see the cairn in the field where an old woman single-handedly buried all the villages plague victims.

Return by Glen Lyon and then the hill road back to Killin via the Nature reserve at Ben Lawers.

The Isle of Skye full day tour

About 3- 3½ hours but a wonderful drive with magnificent scenery all the way

Shops

Not many but scattered craft shops. Main shopping - Portree.

History

Things to do

Drive round the Cuillins (the jaggy mountains you see in the postcards) and up glen brittle for the scenery.

Have a fish 'supper' on the pier at Armadale and visit the Craft shop on the peir.

Arrange a mortgage to pay the fee at the Skye Road Bridge.

Ask at the tourist office if the Kylerhea car ferry is running. The cost is about the same as the bridge and it's more interesting!