Callander's new Heritage Trail launches on Monday 6th September, and local businesses and community groups are being invited to the launch of the new attraction in the town.

Known as 'Stories in the Stones', the trail is a journey through the rich history of Callander's development as one of Scotland's first planned towns. A leaflet will guide visitors around the short trail while engraved pavement markers signal stopping points to see interesting features that might otherwise not be noticed, such as carved figures, date stones and unusual markings. Colourful interpretation panels also provide places to stop and discover more about the buildings and some of the people who have been part of Callander's history.

A further panels in the two main car parks provide a welcome to visitors and show how much Callander and the surrounding area has to offer.

Members of Callander and District Heritage Society have been looking for opportunities for conserving and promoting important heritage sites in Callander for some time and devised the route through the Conservation Area, which shows off key buildings and sites that tell Callander's story.

The project was made possible due to a generous contribution from Stirling Council. Additional funding was secured through the Callander Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS) which is funded by Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park and Historic Scotland.

Patricia Macinnes from Callander & District Heritage Society said, "Little did I know, when I volunteered to be involved in this project, just what I was letting myself in for! The end result of months of interesting but time-consuming work is a Heritage Trail which will enable both local residents and visitors to see Callander in a new light and to enjoy exploring its rich past."

Leaflets can be picked up at the National Park office, 52-54 Main Street, or the VisitScotland Information Centre, Ancaster Square, Callander.

Have you tried the new trail? What do you think? Post your comments, views and photos here on s1callander