Callander Meadows
Grading: easy.
This is a very pleasant level riverside route with lots of wildlife and wild flowers by the banks of the River Teith.
At a glance
- Grading: easy
- Distance: 1 ¼ miles (1.8 km)
- Path type: Surfaced roads and paths
- Allow: ½ hour
Callander Meadows
Route description
The route starts from north Ancaster square, Callander. Turn right into Main Street and then left at traffic lghts into Bridge Street. Just before the bridge follow the path to the right into the Meadows car park and continue beside the River Teith. The resident ducks will probably keep a keen eye on you, looking out for food. Join the surfaced path and walk south along the river bank with views of Ben Ledi to the west.
The water is slow moving here and the large pool is known to act as a resting point for salmon. Continue on the path through open woodland and round the edge of the meadow where the bank of the Teith becomes Eas Gobhain, which flows from Loch Venachar, and the Garbh Uisge, meaning ‘rough water’, which flows through the Pass of Leny from Loch Lubnaig.
The meadow acts as a flood plain during spate conditions and was cultivated for hay in times gone by. The variety of grasses and plants that grow here are the result of this farming and the meadow is still cut in the old way to prevent trees and shrubs taking over.
Did you know?
Little Leny is the burial ground of the Buchanans of Leny. A 13th century chapel here was administered by the canons of Inchmahome Priory. The stone of Dugald Buchanan, the Gaelic writer and translator can be found here.