Callendar House
It is not known when the first building to occupy the site on which Callendar House now stands was built, however the name of Callendar, or de Kalynter as it was then, is thought to go back to the 11th Century at least, and the name Malcolm de Kalynter appears in 1239, when he was granted land by King Alexander the Second. The de Kalynters would almost certainly have had a fortified house of some description but unfortunately no information survives.
A descendant of Malcolm, Patrick de Kallentar became involved in plots against King David the Second in 1345, and as a result his lands were forfeit. The King granted the estate to Sir William Livingstone, who had fought and been captured with him at the Battle of Durham in 1346. Sir William promptly strengthened his title to the land by marrying Christine de Kallentar, daughter of Patrick.
The Livingstones were to play an important role in both local and national events for the next 400 years. Sir Alexander Livingstone came to prominence after the murder of King James 1 at Perth in 1436. He was the effective Regent of Scotland until the infant James II was old enough to ascend the Throne. Sir Alexander died in 1451 and is thought to be buried in Falkirk Old Parish Church.
The 5th Lord Livingstone was the Guardian of Mary Queen of Scots, and she spent much of her early life at Callendar House.It was at the House on the 4th September 1543, that the Scottish leaders decided to ignore the Treaty of Greenwich, under which the Queen was to marry Prince Edward, son of Henry VIII. Henry launched a series of border raids to punish the Scots for their impudence, and it was eventually decided to send the Queen to safety in France. Lord Livingstone went with her, and it was in France that he died.
The next Lord Livingstone, William, was also close to Queen Mary, and she was to visit Callendar House many times on her return from France. He stayed with the Queen throughout her troubled reign and on into her exile in England. Following her execution at Forthergay in 1587, Lord William returned to Callendar House, where he died in 1592.
The 7th Lord Livingstone, Alexander, son of William, along with a number of men from Falkirk helped save King James VI at the time of the Cowrie Conspiracy. As a result James placed his daughter Elizabeth under the protection of Lord Livingstone, and she too spent a great deal of time at Callendar House. Elizabeth was later to marry Fredrick of the Rhine, which gave the Hannovarians their claim to the throne in later years. Alexander was created the First Earl of Linlithgow in 1600. He died in 1622 and was succeeded by his son, also Alexander. He sold the estate too his brother, James, in 1633. James served in the army of the Covenanters against the King when he and men from Falkirk fought at Marston Moor. Later in the Civil War, many Scots changed sides and James found himself bearing arms for the King against Cromwell.
Following the defeat of the Scots at the Battle of Dunbar in 1650, James fled to Holland. An English army came to Falkirk and laid siege to the House. Around 50 Royalists were killed and a number taken prisoner.
Peace finally came with the Restoration of King Charles II in 1660 and the Earl of Callendar returned to Falkirk, where he died in 1672. He is buried in the Old Parish Church.
The early years of the 18th Century saw the downfall of the Livingstone family in Falkirk. James, the 5th Earl of Linlithgow and 4th Earl of Callendar, sided with the Old Pretender in 1715, and his participation in the Battle of Sheriffmuir led to him losing his lands and he was forced into exile abroad.
His daughter, Lady Anne Livingstone gave hospitality to Bonnie Prince Charlie before the Battle of Falkirk , but after his defeat at Culloden her husband, the Earl of Kilmarnock, who had fought alongside him, was beheaded for treason. Lady Ann left the House , never to return. She was the last of the Livingstones of Callendar.
In 1783 the Estate went to auction and was bought by Aberdeen Coppersmith William Forbes. Forbes was a typical example of the self made businessman who were to drive the Agricultural and Industrial Revolutions. Falkirk was already established as one of the centres of Scottish agriculture with its famous cattle Trysts, and the new iron foundries and canals were to make it one of the most important industrial centres of the western world.
Forbes and his descendants kept Callendar House for nearly 200 years. Their efforts created the house and grounds seen by the visitor today.
This article written by John Walker.
Callendar House Today
Callendar House has now been restored to its former glory, and is now being developed as a major heritage centre by Falkirk Council.
The candle lit fully working Georgian kitchen, dominated by a huge open fire and convection driven spit capable of roasting an ox, offers the visitor the chance to step back into a world that has now gone. Staff in period costumes not only give an insight into working conditions in the house over the centuries, but prepare the same food that was enjoyed at the grand social occasions which once graced the house.
Marvel at the splendour of the morning room, again with staff in period costume recreating the daily tasks.
See the Printer's and Clockmaker's Workshops and watch and learn about these important trades from the 19th Century.
Visit the General Store, where textiles, spices, candles and sweets were sold and explore the Georgian Garden in the grounds, where traditional plants and herbs are grown using traditional methods.
History Research Centre
Housed in the magnificent oak panelled Victorian Library, wealth of archive material from photographs and maps to books and documents on Falkirk District's extraordinary heritage can be found in the History Research Centre. Tel : 01324 503770 for an appointment.
The Major William Forbes' Falkirk exhibition will take you through the history of the town from the days of the Jacobites to the introduction of the railways and temporary exhibitions are also staged throughout the year. For further details of current exhibitions and opening hours see the Callendar House official webpage, or phone 01324 503770.
Not only is Callendar House itself a pleasure, its grounds, including a pitch and put course, children's adventure playground, boating lake and the Antonine Wall, makes it an unmissable experience.
Visit The Callendar House Homepage
