Callander; current Seat of Clan Buchanan
The town is at the eastern latitude of the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park and is often referred to as the "Gateway to the Highlands".
A 19th-century Gothic church stands in the town square, named after Saint Kessog, an Irish missionary who is said to have preached in the area in the sixth century. The church closed in 1985.
The name Callander was first recorded in 1238, and as Kallandrech in 1438, but the etymology of the name is uncertain.
A Neolithic settlement situated south of the river was excavated in 2001 finding evidence of a timber building 25 metres (80 ft) in length along with Neolithic pottery. The Auchenlaich Cairn, a Neolithic chambered cairn which at 322 metres (1,056 ft) in length is the longest in Britain, is situated near Keltie Bridge just east of Callander. The remains of an ancient hillfort can be seen at Dunmore overlooking Loch Venachar, near Kilmahog. This fort was likely a large defended structure visible from some distance and excavations have revealed a well and signs of vitrified stonework. Nearby, the remains of Roman ramparts constructed during the campaigns of Agricola in the first century AD are visible at Bochastle Farm.
THINGS TO DO IN AND AROUND CALLANDER
Bracklinn Falls Bridge and Callander Crags
About 4 miles with steep rough track on second stage
“Easy walk to the bridge overlooking the falls. Can do a circular walk via Callander if you wish rather than drive all up to the falls car park but thats lots of up hill and a few miles. The falls themselves are not tall but very pretty.”
Hike up Ben A'an
You can see the length of Loch Katrine and much of Loch Achray.
Stunning views once you get to the top, but very steep in places.
Calllander Jazz and Blues Festival
The Callander Jazz and Blues Festival is the largest rural Jazz & Blues festival in Scotland and is firmly established on the UK festival map. First held back in 2006, the festival has grown every year, with this years event featuring 66 gigs across 10 venues, performing live jazz, blues, swing & rock over 4 days Annually in October.
Steamship Sir Walter Scott
Steamship Sir Walter Scott on Loch Katrine: connect with nature and discover the rich history of Loch Katrine, which has been Glasgow's water supply since the 1859.
Easy walks around Callander
Two Bridges Walk – very short Callander town walk
Riverside short walk from Callander
Callander meadows about 3½ miles flat track / pavement
Lower Crags – easy walking in woodland at Callander, hiking your way round the foot of the Crags
Coilhallan Woods – a fairly gentle stroll in mature forest and cleared plantation – views to Ben Ledi
Auchenlaich and Bracklinn – a fairly gentle but interesting 4 miles
Trossachs Area:
Glenfinglas Dam – a short stroll to a spectacular view
Loch Katrine Dam walk - an easy but interesting walk in woodlands by the Achray water
Auchenlaich Cairn
Auchenlaich is the longest megalithic burial cairn in Britain.
This enigmatic and unexcavated site has only in the last decade or so been interpreted as a chambered cairn. The higher and wider S end is seen as a Clyde cairn to which a long “tail” of a cairn has been added.
There is certainly a very clear chamber towards the S end and some partly visible stones at the extreme S end which could be part of another chamber.
It is, of course, the length which makes the site special and worth seeing – and comparisons have been made with the cursus monument tradition.
St Kessogs Church
Kessog was the son of the King of Cashel in Munster and started his religious life while still in Ireland. It is said that a swimming accident when he was a child led to the deaths of the sons of a number of visiting princes. Kessog brought them back to life and averted a war by spending a night in prayer.
An update on one of the bids to purchase the chuurch: hwww.lamhan.scot/2026/02/09/an-update-on-st-kessogs-church
Kilmahog’s Trossachs Woolen Mill
5 minutes drive from Callander town centre is Kilmahog’s Trossachs Woolen Mill and a highland cow farm