Location

Callander is an important small town in the National Park. It is located on a major north south trunk road 16 miles north west of Stirling, approximately 45 miles from Glasgow and just over 50 miles from the centre of Edinburgh. It is the largest settlement and one of the main entries to Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park.

Over the last 40 years the population of Callander has steadily increased from 1,725 in 1971 to 3,383 in 2001 and growth has continued since the Census was undertaken in 2001. The proportion of people aged 65 and over is higher in Callander than both the National Park as a whole and Scotland.

The number of houses had grown to over 1,400 in 2001 and we currently estimate we have around 1,800. Now the town's growth is restricted by its geographical position and lack of suitable land to build on. However a new development is currently planned for the Tannochbrae site and there are outline plans for a further development of 50 units in Stirling Road. The amount of social rented housing (19%) is greater than in the National Park (14%) but considerably lower than Scotland's 28%.

McLaren High School, the Leisure Centre and Campbell's Shortbread factory are the largest employers in Callander. Tourism - through retail, hospitality and other services - is extremely important to Callander.

McLaren High School is the only high school in the National Park and is currently undergoing significant extension and refurbishment. It is attended by just under 700 pupils drawn from an extremely wide catchment area.

The Primary School is the largest of 14 schools within the McLaren Cluster and has the only support unit for pupils with special learning needs. Further and Adult education can be accessed at McLaren Learning Centre.

Health and Social Care

There are numerous unique and special environmental areas around Callander:

• The Highland Boundary Fault and landscape features from the last Ice Age
• Queen Elizabeth Forest Park and other woodland areas
• Callander Meadows
• 3 Sites of Special Scientific Interest

The River Teith which flows through the centre of Callander is a special area of conservation and also has a number of streams, lochs and reservoirs. Callander and surrounding areas have frequently suffered from severe flooding in the past, and there is concern that current flood measures are insufficient.
There are good paths around and through parts of the town, but no path that links the east end of the town with the schools and leisure centre.

Heritage

There are many listed buildings and historical features including St Kessog's Church in the centre of town, which is now the Rob Roy Centre and Tourist Information. Other listed buildings include:

• Callandrade
• Garthchonzie Bridge
• Kilmahog Graveyard
• Leny House including its gate piers and sundial
• Little Leny Buchanan Burial Ground
• KilmahogWoollen Mill
• Loch Venachar Sluice House.

The Callander Heritage Group is extremely active with over 50 members.