Sue's Guidebook
Our Favourite Cafes, Bars & Restaurants
We’ve handpicked a few spots nearby that we would recommend to eat and drink. There are also a couple of great pubs and takeaways in Callander (including the Chinese Village and Luti’s Pizza) that you can look up online.
Fabulous spot for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Cosy log burner to sit by after a long winter walk or great outdoor seating for those sunnier afternoons. Dog friendly.
35 locals recommend
Mhor 84 Motel
84 KingshouseFabulous spot for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Cosy log burner to sit by after a long winter walk or great outdoor seating for those sunnier afternoons. Dog friendly.
Beautiful, historic house in stunning grounds tucked away just off Callander’s Main Street. The restaurant in the main house is worth a try but we love their wee bistro The Potting Shed for light lunches and relaxed evening meals. Dogs permitted in the bistro and grounds but not in the hotel restaurant.
10 locals recommend
Roman Camp Hotel
182 Main StBeautiful, historic house in stunning grounds tucked away just off Callander’s Main Street. The restaurant in the main house is worth a try but we love their wee bistro The Potting Shed for light lunches and relaxed evening meals. Dogs permitted in the bistro and grounds but not in the hotel restaurant.
The Cook School’s open as a restaurant from Thursday to Saturday and it’s a real hidden gem. Exceptional food, wine and service with lots of outdoor seating for sunny days. Dogs are permitted outside.
13 locals recommend
Nick Nairn Cook School
The Cook School’s open as a restaurant from Thursday to Saturday and it’s a real hidden gem. Exceptional food, wine and service with lots of outdoor seating for sunny days. Dogs are permitted outside.
Cosy wee deli in the village to grab a toastie or pick up some lovely deli items. No dogs.
15 locals recommend
Deli Ecosse
10 Ancaster SquareCosy wee deli in the village to grab a toastie or pick up some lovely deli items. No dogs.
Great farm shop to have a wander round and pick up supplies. If you’re passing in the morning we recommend grabbing a bacon roll from The Smiddy Express, the best there is! The steak pies are also excellent if you’re planning a dinner in the cabin. Dogs permitted in cafe and outside but not in the shop.
16 locals recommend
Blair Drummond Smiddy Farm Shop
Great farm shop to have a wander round and pick up supplies. If you’re passing in the morning we recommend grabbing a bacon roll from The Smiddy Express, the best there is! The steak pies are also excellent if you’re planning a dinner in the cabin. Dogs permitted in cafe and outside but not in the shop.
Incredible destination for a special occasion meal. Modern fine dining in a beautifully remote location at the end of Loch Voil. Well worth a taxi so you can enjoy the wine list! Dogs permitted.
14 locals recommend
Monachyle Mhor Hotel
Incredible destination for a special occasion meal. Modern fine dining in a beautifully remote location at the end of Loch Voil. Well worth a taxi so you can enjoy the wine list! Dogs permitted.
Places Worth a Visit
A few local villages and towns with good things to see and do.
Situated within the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, we’re very fortunate to have such beautiful countryside, shoreline and woodland right on our doorstep. As you can imagine, the walks are endless but we like leaving the house, heading right along the loch until you near the end of the estate road, then taking a right through a small gate to join Cycle Track 7. This lovely woodland path twists through forest and skirts the loch edge. Eventually you’ll get to The Byre Inn where you can grab a pint. Another walk from the cabin is, what we call, The Big Loop. Head straight up the hill next to the cabin, then head right at the reservoir. Take another right after the logging to make a loop back down the hill.
Invertrossachs
Situated within the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, we’re very fortunate to have such beautiful countryside, shoreline and woodland right on our doorstep. As you can imagine, the walks are endless but we like leaving the house, heading right along the loch until you near the end of the estate road, then taking a right through a small gate to join Cycle Track 7. This lovely woodland path twists through forest and skirts the loch edge. Eventually you’ll get to The Byre Inn where you can grab a pint. Another walk from the cabin is, what we call, The Big Loop. Head straight up the hill next to the cabin, then head right at the reservoir. Take another right after the logging to make a loop back down the hill.
Callander is the nearest town to the cabin and is known as the “Gateway to the Highlands”. There are plenty of pubs, cafes and restaurants as well as many independent shops. Swimming and fitness facilities can be accessed at the McLaren High School.
33 locals recommend
Callander
Callander is the nearest town to the cabin and is known as the “Gateway to the Highlands”. There are plenty of pubs, cafes and restaurants as well as many independent shops. Swimming and fitness facilities can be accessed at the McLaren High School.
Pretty little village nearby with a fantastic ruin castle (filming location of both Monty Python and Outlander!), Deanston Distillery and lots of great walks.
7 locals recommend
Doune
Pretty little village nearby with a fantastic ruin castle (filming location of both Monty Python and Outlander!), Deanston Distillery and lots of great walks.
Stirling is the ancient capital of Scotland and is home to the famous castle believed to have been built in the early 12th century. There are many things to see and do in the city, including a wander around the medieval old town with its impressive buildings, a climb up the nearby Wallace Monument that offers fantastic views of the ancient bridge and scene of the Battle of Stirling Bridge and the Battle of Bannockburn Visitor Centre to name a few.
77 locals recommend
Stirling
Stirling is the ancient capital of Scotland and is home to the famous castle believed to have been built in the early 12th century. There are many things to see and do in the city, including a wander around the medieval old town with its impressive buildings, a climb up the nearby Wallace Monument that offers fantastic views of the ancient bridge and scene of the Battle of Stirling Bridge and the Battle of Bannockburn Visitor Centre to name a few.
City advice
Getting around
Hikes, Walks and Climbs
There are far too many paths and tracks to name individually so we would suggest that you take a look on www.walkhighlands.co.uk for routes and effort required. You can also download apps such as Outdooractive. You are welcome to have a chat with us as we are always happy to pass on our local knowledge.
Getting around
Outdoor Activities
Kayaks can be borrowed from us and paddle boards can sometimes be hired from Venachar Lochside. The cabin is located on Cycle Track 7. There are cycle hire places in Callander who are mainly seasonal. Best to just search online when you’re here. ‘Wheels’ on the Invertrossachs Road hires really good bikes at certain times of the year too.
Book before you go
Fly Fishing and Nature Courses
Our Bailiff, Ricky, offers 2 hour fly fishing courses and can be contacted on 07597 337787. For a variety of courses including foraging and all things herbal, call Lauren at www.herbalhomestead.org on 07708 097429.
Getting around
Useful Numbers
Local taxi and useful local services numbers can be found in the Ben Ledi View which is at the back of the Welcome folder. I can supply the local numbers too if you let me know.