Serving as a gateway to Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, Callander is a riverside town in historic Perthshire. It’s a popular stop en route to the Scottish Highlands and has been designated as Scotland’s First Social Enterprise Place due to its innovative local organisations. Framed by the Callander Crags, it’s also the starting point for several scenic walks.
Things to do in Callander
In the heart of Callander is the Hamilton Toy Museum and Collectors Shop, which houses one of the largest privately-owned toy collections in the United Kingdom. Established in 1994, it’s set across five rooms where toys from the last two centuries are exhibited, including an extensive range of toy soldiers, model vehicles, dolls and bears.
Want to stretch your legs? Follow the Bracklinn Falls Circuit, a five-kilometre-long trail that winds through woodland to the east of Callander. It offers scenic views of the Bracklinn Falls as they tumble along Allt a’ Choire Bhric, with the rustic Bracklinn Falls Bridge spanning the gorge. The trail also affords sweeping views of Ben Ledi, Stuc a’ Chroin and Ben Vorlich in the Scottish Highlands.
For a longer walk, embark on the Great Trossachs Path, a 48-kilometre route that connects Callander with Loch Lomond. It’s listed as one of Scotland’s Great Trails and can be completed on foot, by bicycle or on horseback. Most of the trail lies within the Great Trossachs Forest National Nature Reserve, which encompasses wooden glens and lochs that provide habitat for red squirrels, water voles and otters.
Getting around Callander
Callander is a 25-minute drive from Stirling and one hour from Edinburgh Airport, which has flights to destinations across Europe and the Middle East. Buses connect to Callander from Stirling and the town is compact enough to explore on foot.