Top things to do in Callander, Scotland (hello highland cows!)

Situated on River Teith and set within the area of natural beauty Trossachs, Callander is a first encounter with Scottish highlands and is a popular tourist town. Which is why Callander is known as the Gateway to Highlands. With an array of things to do in Callander, it makes for a great choice of weekend getaway. 

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Scotland is known for its woolen products, tartans and whisky. Geographically, Scotland boasts of dramatic coastlines, islands that steal your heart, valleys and mountains that echoes the wild emptiness and cold weather. If God is the mother of Nature, Scotland is her child. The country is blessed with abundant of  natural sightseeing.

Dotted with “lochs” (lakes), “Ben” (mountains), “Glen” (narrow valleys),”Firth” (fjords or inlets) and vast sea that surrounds 3 sides of the land  with a land border shared with England . Highlands always remain the highlight of Scotland. They are both culturally and geographically distinguishable from the lowlands (cities). Travelling in Scotland is incomplete without hitting the highlands. 

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Where is Callander?

Callander is a small touristy town located in the Perthshire, but close to Stirling.  Callander is situated along the River Teith. The town serves as the eastern gateway to the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, the first National Park in Scotland.  Because of its strategic location it is often referred to as the “Gateway to the Highlands”.

Check out the award winning highland tours in Scotland

How to reach Callander?

The easiest way to reach Callander by a public transport is to take train from Edinburgh or Glasgow to Stirling or Dunblane and take a bus to Callander. Stirling is 17 miles away and Dunblane is 11 miles away. Taxi is another alternative from any of these train stations to reach Callander. By Car, Edinburgh is 52miles and takes a little over 1 hour on M9. Glasgow is 41.5 miles and takes 50 minutes via M80. 

Why visit Callander?

People often stop here on a transit to visit Highlands or use it as a base to explore Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park. Many locals come here for an exclusive holiday break to enjoy the walking and hiking trails this incredible town offers. Plus there are many waterfalls to explore in this region around Keltie Water.

Callander town is full of traditional candy shops, ice-cream parlors, and some of the best Scottish woollen stores and souvenir shops.  If you are taking a short break here, enjoy this little village, take a stroll along River, or feed the ducks and birds. But if you want to explore the beautiful part of Callander, look no further, this guide is for you. Here’s our recommendations on  best things to do in Callander including some great hiking trails.

Best Things To Do In Callander

1. Stroll along River Teith

River Teith is formed by the confluence of two smaller rivers – Garbh Uisge, also known as River Leny (an outflow of Loch Lubnaig) and Eas Gobhain (an outflow of Loch Venachar). The river flows from Callander to River Forth in Stirling.  The river is in the centre of the town, so it is quiet easy to follow the river walk whichever direction you take.  If you are stopping on a short break, you can park the car in Meadows Car Park, and start the walk. 

2. Callander Meadows Walk

This is a pleasant riverside walk stretching for 1.5 miles and begins at the Meadows Car Park along River Teith. The walk is moderate and on the surfaced path, so it suits all types of walkers. Enjoy the sights of the riverside life with myriad ducks and pigeons, and walk towards the overlooking vistas of Ben Ledi. 

3. Bracklinn Falls Walk

From the centre of Callander town, drive towards Bracklinn Falls Car Park. You can take a 3.5 mile long circuit walk through woodlands, or a 1/2 mile quick walk to visit the Bracklinn falls through the bridge. While the circuit walk is rewarding, it can be a little challenging at places with steep descends. The short walk is easy and child friendly. Only to reach the falls, you need to ascend down and go to the rocks. There’s also a bridge from where you can view the falls. 

4. Visit these cute Highland Cows in Kilmahog

5 minutes drive from Callander town centre is Kilmahog’s Trossachs Woolen Mill and a highland cow farm.  On a mission to save highland cows from slaughtering, the Mill saved Hamish, a Highland cow in 1996 and ever since then, Hamish became an iconic attraction and a brilliant poser among tourists.

Along with Hamish (Sadly in 2014, Hamish died), other highland cows – Honey (a cute highland calf born in 2011) and Hamish Dubh (another highland calf born in 2012) are living by the farm near the mill and continuing the legend’s footprints by posing and entertaining hundreds of tourists.  

The Woollen Mill also has a souvenir shop and cafe attached to this farm. They sell lettuce, potato, carrot in packets that can be fed for these highland cows. These cows are very fond of the food and are very camera friendly! There’s always crowd to see these cuddly creatures. Every coach buses and tourist operators have kept this place as a mandatory stop en-route to Highlands. This is possibly the most easiest way to spot highland cows in Scotland. 

The highland cow breed is developed in the Scottish Highlands and Western Isles of Scotland.   Highland cattle or kyloe are a Scottish breed of cattle with long horns and long wavy hair that covers their eyes, which usually help them sustain harsh winters. Some of the highland cows were exported to other countries to be protected and bred in their zoo.  Scottish cow souvenirs (postcards, wall hangings, key chains, calender and soft toys) are also very famous, and can be seen in every souvenir shops. A lot of highland cows can be frequently seen in highlands.  Aren’t they cute and cuddly?

5. Falls of Leny

Falls of Leny is yet another impressive sight which is closer to Kilmahog. From Trossachs Woollen mill, continue to drive on A84 towards highlands, and you can find Ben Ledi car park on the right side. The falls is on the left side, and there’s not much of walk to reach the falls. However, do note that the walking path is overgrown and not maintained well. We took our kids and actually struggled our way to get near the falls. The overgrown plants were thorny in parts, so be mindful of the path.

6. Bochastle and the Falls of Leny

For a challenging walking route, you can choose to park your car at Bochastle Car Park in off A821. This is a circular forest walk that passes through Bochastle Hill, lower slopes of Ben Ledi with some steep descend.  It is possible to detour here to visit Falls of Leny, although please note the detour to falls is pretty much on rough terrain and more caution required. 

7. Walk the Great Trossachs Path

A 30-mile long footpath that runs between Callander in the east and Inversnaid on the banks of Loch Lomond on the west.  The footpath passes through mature woodlands, hill slopes and through the shores of Loch Venachar, Loch Katrine and Loch Arklet. This is one of the most popular hiking paths in Callander and whole of Trossachs.   

Where to Stay?

Callander is a buzzing tourist town, so it comes as no surprise that the town is full of holiday parks, lodges, B & B. For a luxury accommodation in Callander, there’s Roman Camp Country House Hotel, family friendly stay in Callander Woods Holiday Park. If you do not have car and want to spend some quality time hiking in Callander within budget,  we recommend Callander Meadows, Ben A’an House Bed and Breakfast or Knowe Guest House. You can also click the link below to search your accommodation. 

Where to Eat

Callander is a nice town to be in, whether you are taking a short break or a week long break in the Scottish Highlands. Being such an ideal choice to explore Highlands, Callander has many good places to eat. There are many take aways and cozy cafes in the Main Street. Our personal favourite is Mhor Bread & Tearoom. Although do note that this is one of the most popular choice for locals and can be very crowded during the peak times.  The tearoom does have a decent vegetarian and vegan options to choose from and they taste great too. Alternatively The Waverley Hotel also have a minimal but good veggie/vegan option on their menu. 

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