Bracklinn Falls & Callander

Situated just under an hour away from Glasgow, Bracklinn Falls on the outskirts of Callander is an awesome sight. We were lucky to visit on a day when the river was full and wild. Seeing such a tremendous sight was totally worth the muddy boots.

The bridge, spanning the river Allt a’ Choice Bhric, was built after the iron Victorian era bridge was swept away in a massive storm in 2004. One of the more unique aspects of Allt a’ Choice Bhric is that the river is constantly moving the rocks, so the gorge is always changing.

I still felt nervous crossing the bridge because it kinda felt like walking on cardboard, but we survived and the views at the top were spectacular.

The path goes across the bridge (for an additional 1.5 hour hike) or you can meander back and follow the path to the viewing area to get a glimpse of the bridge and the falls. The total hike was around 1 hour for us, and the path is smooth and well-marked. The toddler walked the entire trek back (splashing in every possible puddle she could find) so it’s a great family excursion.

We were able to park in the closest lot, but the road up there is quite curvy with poor visibility. I think because we went on a rainy day, we had no problem getting a parking spot. Parking in the crags lot will add about 15 minutes one way to your hike.

The village of Callander is a perfect blend of touristy and charm. Beware though, nearly everything closes at 5pm. We popped into the Callander Woolen Mill (hello, cheap sweaters!), a bakery for some pies, an ice cream shop, and some of the smaller shops selling locally made goods.

Callander is charming and delightful. I think a trip back here in the autumn, once the leaves have turned, would be beautiful!

The River Teith (“teeth”) was overflowing its banks, so that made bird watching very exciting for the toddler.

Overall, highly recommend Callander and Bracklinn Falls as a fun and cheap family exclusion, that is close to Glasgow, but not flooded with tourists.