CALLANDER, a parish, in the county of Perth;
containing, with the villages of Callander and Kilmahog,
166.5 inhabitants, of whom 1 107 are in the village of Callander,
6 miles (N. N. E.) from Port of Monteith. This
place derives its name, of Gaelic origin, from an ancient
ferry across the river Teith, the principal road to which
lay within its limits. The parish is about eighteen miles
in lengtli, and varies greatly in breadth, being in some
parts scarcely a mile, and in others full ten miles. It is
bounded on the north and north-west by a branch of the
Grampians, and the scenery is boldly varied by hills and
mountains, the most prominent of them being Ben-Ledi,
which has an elevation of 2863 feet above the sea, and
forms a boundary of the valley that contains the village.
A hill near the village is likewise a very interesting feature
in the landscape, being richly clothed with flourishing
plantations, formed some years since by Lady Willoughby
de Eresby. The hill called the Crag of Callander
bounds the vale on the north, and the Teith, with its
wooded banks, adds materially to the beauty of the scenery.
This river proceeds from the union of two streams
which run, respectively, on the east and south sides of
Ben-Ledi; and over it is a bridge at the village, from
which the view in every direction is strikingly picturesque.
The stream that runs on the east side of Ben-
Ledi issues from the mountain lake denominated Loch
Lubnaig, and flows rapidly through the narrow pass of
Leny, an opening which affords access from the low
country into the wild recesses of the Highlands: this
pass is skirted with waving woods, and bound in by
lofty mountains, the whole forming a scene of great sublimity.
Another river, named the Kelty, forms a boundary
to the parish on the eastern side, and after a devious
course falls into the Teith; across it is a rustic footbridge
at Brackland, which is an object of great interest,
and much admired on account of the grand view it
commands of the fine falls of Brackland. There are
various lakes, some of which are caused by the natural
obstructions that the rivers find in their course; Loch
Venachoir, on the south of Ben-Ledi, is about four
miles in length, and connected with it are the lakes of
Auchray and Katrine, both rich in picturesque beauty,
and which are described in the article on Aberfoyle, an
adjoining parish. Glenfinlas, wholly in the parish,
forms a tract ten miles in extent, at one time a royal
hunting-forest; it is destitute of the smallest symptoro
of habitation or of cultivation, and any one may be recommended
to traverse it who desires to gain a complete
notion of an Ossianic desert, in all its sterile and lonely
wildness.
The lakes, as also the rivers, abound with trout and
other fish, among which are eels, pike, perch, char, and
salmcm; and the lakes are frequented by different
kinds of aquatic fowl. The parish is well wooded, and
extensive plantations have been formed: the timber is
principally oak, ash, alder, birch, fir, larch, hazel, and
willow; the oak is much cultivated, and a considerable
quantity of bark is sold to the tanners. In this parish
the soil varies greatly; and little more, even of the low
lands, is cultivated than is sufficient for the supfily of
the inhabitants, who are chiefly attentive to the rearing
of cattle and sheep, for which the hills and vales afford
excellent pasturage. The system of agriculture, as far
as it is practised upon the few arable farms in the parish,
is improved; and the crops are oats of various kinds,
barley, potatoes, and turnips. The breed of black-cattle
is much attended to; the Cheviot and Leicestershire
breeds of sheep are pastured on the low lands, and the
black-faced on the hills. The annual value of real
property in the parish is £7'200. The substrata are
limestone, slate, freestone, and pudding-stone. Of these,
the limestone is of good quality, and is worked not only
for the supply of this parish, but for many others, and
considerable quantities of lime are sent to distant parts.
The slate is of a brownish colour, and not very durable,
but was formerly quarried on several lands; the freestone,
which is grey, is excellent, and extensively quarried
for building. The proprietor of Gart has erected a
spacious and handsome residence on the north bank of
the Teith; the grounds are tastefully embellished, and
command some highly interesting views.
The village, which is on the great road from Stirling
to the Western Highlands, consists chiefly of one spacious
street; the houses are well built of stone, and
roofed with slate, and the inhabitants are amply supplied
with water, which is conveyed by leaden pipes.
There is a subscription library. A considerable trade is
carried on, and great quantities of wool are sent to
Bannockburn, Glasgow, and Liverpool, for the use of
carpet manufacturers. A daily post has been established
under Stirling, and here is an agency for the
Bank of Scotland. A market is still held; fairs occur
in March and May, for black-cattle, sheep, and horses,
and some smaller fairs are holden for lambs, the hiring
of farm servants, and other business. There is also a
spacious inn, for the atcommodation of the numerous
parties who frequent this place to view the many interesting
spots in the neighbourhood. In 1846 an act of
parliament was passed for the construction of a line of
railway from the Scottish Central railway at Dunblane
to Doune and Callander. Ecclesiastically the parish is
in the presbytery of Dunblane and synod of Perth and
Stirling: the minister's stipend is about £198, with a
manse, and a glebe valued at £38 per annum; patron,
the Crown. The church, a neat edifice with a tower
and spire, was erected in 17*3, and is adapted for a
congregation of 800 persons. A place of worship has
been erected in connexion with the Free Church. The
parochial school affords a liberal education; the master
has a salary of £34, with £36 fees, and a house and
garden.
About a mile from the village is a hill rising perpendicularly
300 feet, and having on the summit the
remains of an ancient fortification from which the
height takes the name of " Dun-bo-chaistil ". The
gateway, and several traces of ditches and mounds,
are distinctly visible; and within the inclosure is a
well, which has been filled in to prevent accidents to
the cattle that feed there. In the plain immediately
around is a mound of earth, strengthened with stones,
which may probably have been an outpost; but the
history of this relic of ancient times is not known. Near
the manse are the remains of Callander Castle, once a
square building of great strength; and on the lands of
Auchinlaich are those of an ancient fort, in good preservation,
and nearly entire. There is a circular mount
of considerable height near the churchyard, called the
Hill of St. Kessaig; and a fair is held there annually
in March, called the festival of St. Kessaig. About half
a mile to the west of it is a similar tumulus, called Little
Leny, where was anciently a chapel.