The Central Highlands - The Rough Guide to Scottish Highlands and Islands - page 136

Callander and around
CALLANDER , on the eastern edge of the Trossachs, sits on the banks of the River Teith
at the southern end of the Pass of Leny , one of the key routes into the Highlands.
Significantly larger than Aberfoyle, it suffers in high season for being right on the
main tourist trail from Stirling through to the west Highlands. Callander first came to
fame during the “Scottish Enlightenment” of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries,
with the glowing reports of the Trossachs given by Sir Walter Scott and William
Wordsworth. Development was given a further boost when Queen Victoria chose to
visit, and then by the arrival of the train line - long since closed - in the 1860s.
Tourists have arrived in throngs ever since, as the plethora of restaurants, tearooms,
gift shops and shops selling woollens and crafts testifies.

2

Callander to Strathyre Cycleway
North of Callandar, you can walk or ride the scenic six-mile Callander to Strathyre
(Route 7) Cycleway, which forms part of the network of cycleways between the
Highlands and Glasgow. The route is based on the old Caledonian train line to Oban,
which closed in 1965, and runs along the western side of Loch Lubnaig.

ARRIVAL AND INFORMATION CALLANDER AND AROUND

By bus Callander has bus connections with Loch Katrine
(late June to mid-Oct Thurs-Tues 4 daily; 55min). First
Group ( T 01324 602200, W firstgroup.com) operates
services between Callander and Stirling. There's a reduced
service at weekends.
Tourist o ce In a converted church on Ancaster Square
on the main street (March-Oct daily; T 08707 200628).

By bike Mounter Bikes, on Ancaster Square at the centre
of Callander, offer rental, sales, repairs and accessories
( T 01877 331052, W mounterbikes.co.uk). Wheels Cycling
Centre next to Trossachs Tryst (see below) a mile and a half
southwest of Callander, is the best rental place in the area,
with front- or full-suspension models available, as well as
baby's and child's seats.

ACCOMMODATION
Arden House Bracklinn Rd T 01877 330235, W arden
house.org.uk. A grand Victorian guesthouse in its own
gardens with good vi ews and woodland walks from the
back door. April-Oct. £85
Callander Meadows 24 Main St T 01877 330181,
W callandermeadows.co.uk. Centrally located rooms in
an attractive townhouse that has three comfortable
en-suite room s and a decent restaurant. Full board
available. £75
Roman Camp Country House Hotel Main St T 01877

330003, W romancamphotel.co.uk. The town's most
upmarket option is this romantic, turreted seventeenth-
century huntin g lodg e situated in twenty-acre gardens on
the River Teith. £155
Trossachs Tryst Invertrossachs Rd T 01877 331200,
W scottish-hostel.com. A friendly, well-equipped and
comfortable 32-bed hostel and activity centre with self-
catering dorms and family rooms. It's located a mile
southwest of town, down a turn-off fro m th e A81 to Port of
Monteith. Bike rental available. Dorms £20 ; doubles £50

EATING AND DRINKING
Lade Inn Kilmahog, a mile west of Callander T 01877
330152, W theladeinn.com. Pub food such as beer-
battered chicken goujons (£10.25) is served at this convivial
inn where the owners are particularly keen on real ales;
an on-site shop sells bottled beers from all over Scotland.
Mon-Thurs noon-11pm, Fri & Sat noon-1am, Sun
12.30-10.30pm; food served Mon-Fri noon-2.30pm &

5.30-9pm, Sat noon-9pm, Sun 12.30-8pm.
Ì Mhor Fish 75-77 Main St T 01877 330213,
W mhor.net. One of a new breed of fish and chip shops; it
has a sustainable fish policy, daily specials and everything
from snacks to bistro-style seafood dishes - and you can
get fish suppers, burgers, pies and haggis to take away for
around £12. Daily 10am-10pm.

Balquhidder
Beyond the northern end of Loch Lubnaig is tiny BALQUHIDDER , most famous as the
site of the grave of Rob Roy (see p.136), which you'll find in the small yard behind the
ruined church. His grave is marked by a rough stone carved with a sword, a cross and a
man with a dog.