Callendar House, Falkirk, Stirlingshire

Callender has ancient history, dating back almost 2,000 years when the Romans built the Antonine Wall, and Callender Park has a section, protected as a UNESCO World Heritage site.  By the 12^th century the Callendar family were the Thanes of Callander, then the Livingston family took over from 1345 until 1715 when supporting the Jacobite cause cost them dearly and the Earl had to flee. Callander was bought by the York Buildings company then leased back to the Livingstons, until the 1960’s when it came into public ownership. In the meantime Callendar House had been rebuilt in a French Renaissance style in the 19^th century and incorporated the old tower house, built centuries earlier. Callendar House has played host to many royal visitors for over 600 years, including Mary Stewart, Queen of Scots, Lord Darnley (Henry Stewart) and Bonnie Prince Charlie. Callendar Park and the grounds around the house, host a variety of yew plantings, individual yews and groves, and there is a Yew Trail for visitors to follow. A curious comment in the site guide asks, what was the reason behind so much yew planting by the Stewart supporters who lived here. Why indeed…