colleenbee08

Any suggestions of manageable daytrips from Callander? We have a car and do not mind long days. We enjoy hiking, lake tours, ruins, villages, but mostly scenery. Not so interested in cities.We will have 5 full days but could leave Callander for an overnighter elsewhere if need be.
Thanks for your time, Colleen

bettyk

There is more than enough to fill your 5 days:

http://www.incallander.co.uk/

There are Castles, including Stirling Castle, as well as scenic drives.

http://www.incallander.co.uk/cartrips.htm

And beautiful lakes. We have been to Loch Lomond, Loch Tay and Loch Lubnaig which we enjoyed very much.

http://www.incallander.co.uk/lochs.htm

It's one of the more beautiful areas IMO in Scotland.

janisj

Limitless options. I've spent a full week in the Callander area -- 5 times, plus a few one and 2 nights stops, and still haven't seen everything.

No need to go away overnight unless you just want to for some reason.

The short list:

Stirling/Doune castles
Ichmahome Priory (a must IMO)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inchmahome_Priory
Loch Lomond/Inversnaid
Killin/Falls of Dochart
Balquhidder (where Rob Roy is buried)
Comrie/Crieff/Drummond Castle Gardens (another must)
http://www.drummondcastlegardens.co.uk/
Ben Lawers
http://www.nts.org.uk/Property/94/
A bit farther, but definitely doable Glencoe, Kilchurn Castle, Inveraray, Perth/Scone Palace, Dunkeld -- and more

bigtyke

We spent a week in 1999. If you were staying a week, I would recommend the self catering at Leny Lodge.

We visited Stirling/Doune/Campbell castles. Ichmahome Priory, Loch Lomond, Edinburgh, Loch Ness

colleenbee08

Wow! Fountains of information! Thankyou
Bettyk- that is a wonderful website for Callander. I have bookmarked a number of possibilities

Janisj- I was hoping you would respond as I have found your tips to other people on this site very useful. I had never heard of Ichmahome Priory and am thrilled with it. We will definately go there. Ben Lawers also appeals. We live and hike in the Canadian Rockies and are looking forward to getting out and about on your mountains. Am still checking out your other suggestions.

Bigtyke- we considered self-catering, but both my husband and I agreed neither of us was willing to do the cooking, Ha. We are planning to visit some of the places you also suggested. So many sights, so little time!

janisj

Hi -

Just one minor quibble . . . "<i>we considered self-catering, but both my husband and I agreed neither of us was willing to do the cooking, Ha</i>"

Self catering, doesn't mean you have to cook much -- or at all. It is just the Brit-speak word for vacation rental. A rental cottage w/ your own garden, etc will likely cost less than a B&B. You can still always go out to eat most of your meals. You do lose out on a B&B's full cooked Scottish breakfast though.

My general rule of thumb is up to 3 nights I use B&Bs, 4+ nights I start looking for self catering. Another advantage is having a washer/dryer so you can pack much lighter.

Many owners do require a 7-night's stay, but lots offer shorter rental periods. Plus - very often, renting for 7 nights and 'eating' a night or 2 is cheaper than a B&B for 5 or 6 nights.

HollydaleK

If you like scenic beauty, don't overlook a drive over Duke's Pass. It is not far from Callander.