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 Loch Voil |
 Edinample Castle |
 Balquhidder Kirkyard |
Callander forms one of the main gateways to the Highlands. It sits at the eastern end of the Trossachs and at the southern end of the Pass of Leny, and is an ideal base for those wishing to explore the area.
Sir Walter Scott and William Wordsworth both favoured Callander and it lays claim to Rob Roy, Scotland's answer to Robin Hood. Callander is home to the Rob Roy and Trossachs Visitor Centre situated in the town square. The centre houses a display and multimedia presentations. Rob Roy is also remembered in the Rob Roy Way, the unoffical long distance footpath from Drymen to Pitlochry that passes through the area.
A short walk east from the town is pretty Bracklinn Falls which can be visited en-route to Callander Crags. To the west are the Falls of Leny. Longer and more strenuous walks, like that to the summit of Ben Ledi, are also possible when using Callander as a base.
The scenic Callander to Strathyre Cycleway is to be found north of the town leading, as the name suggests, to the village of Strathyre which sits astride the A84. The cycleway forms part of the National Cycle Network and this stretch is six miles long.
A little further north is the village of Balquhidder, which stands near the eastern end of Balquhidder Glen. Balquhidder Kirkyard is home to Rob Roy's grave. For those enjoying water sports, Lochearnhead, at the western end of Loch Earn, is a popular choice: as is St Fillans at its eastern end. This part of the area is also crossed by the Coast to Coast Walk from Oban to St Andrews.
Between Callander and Aberfoyle the road passes through the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park along the Duke's Pass. Aberfoyle provides a good base for walking and cycling holidays. East of Aberfoyle and south of Callander is the village of Thornhill. Between Thornhill and Aberfoyle is the Lake of Menteith, home to Inchmahome Priory.
The Trossachs are often painted as a "Scotland in miniature", an area of lower mountains and lakes extending west and south from Callander to Aberfoyle, and interestingly reminiscent of the English Lake District. Whether the Trossachs would have achieved their fame without the influence of Sir Walter Scott is debatable; but while for some they are just the foothills of the real Highlands, for others they remain the most attractive part of Scotland. An especially pleasing but short climb is up the peaky summit of Ben A'an.
