Historic town buildings get £500k

The money will be used to restore historic buildings in the town

A Trossachs community is to receive £500,000 to reinstate the historic character of its buildings.

Historic Scotland's Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS) is putting £250,000 into Callander to repair aged homes and businesses there.

The Trossachs and Loch Lomond National Park said it would match the sum to revamp the town's conservation area.

The cash will be spent on properties in Leny Road, Leny Feus, Main Street, Bridgend and Bracklinn Road.

The news comes after complaints from conservationists that many of the town's buildings had lost historic design features.

Historic Scotland said the cash could be used to restore some of the town's landmarks including the Dreadnought Hotel, Ancaster Square, the Crown Hotel and Callander Bridge.

Fiona Logan, chief executive of the national park authority, said the funding was good news for the community as well as those who visited the town.

She added: "Set in the heart of the Trossachs and one of our busiest visitor destinations, I'm delighted the National Park Authority along with Historic Scotland can support this initiative and help bring back to life some of the area's classic landmarks."