A historic former church at the centre of a campaign to save it looks set to go on sale after Stirling Council confirmed its intention to place the property on the market. St Kessog’s in the heart of Callander has stood in the town’s Ancaster Square since 1773 but has lay unused in recent years after falling into a state of disrepair. Stirling Council this week confirmed to the Observer that the historic category B-listed building is to go on the market. A council spokesperson said: “Following the exploration of all options for commercial and community use, we can confirm our intention to market the former St Kessog’s Church. “We recognise the importance of the building within Callander and will consider benefits to the community as part of any offers received.” Callander Community Council is now fighting to retain the facility for community use. In a post on the community council official Facebook, they said that the historic former church “has been a symbol of our town’s identity for generations”. They added: “However, it’s been closed for some years now, and Stirling Council has recently informed us that they plan to sell it. While financial considerations are important, we believe that preserving St Kessog’s transcends mere profit – it’s about safeguarding our community’s soul. “We invite you to join our efforts to save and revitalise St Kessog’s.” Anyone who wishes to express their views on the potential sale is urged to visit Callander Connect, located in the town’s Main Street, to get informed, express your thoughts, and speak with community representatives directly. Similarly, you can join the Save St Kessog’s Facebook Group. A sub-committee of Callander Community Council has been formed to host public meetings on the matter and engage with locals. The community council added: “Together, we can make a meaningful impact and ensure that St Kessog’s continues to thrive for generations to come.” St Kessog’s was previously occupied by The Clanranald Trust from early 2015 after the category B listed building was placed on the market for £100,000. The Trust, a recognised charity, is an educational organisation established in 1995. The members of the trust are dedicated to promoting increased awareness of Scottish Culture and Heritage through interactive education and entertainment. Clanranald had been exploring opportunities to purchase the building from Stirling Council. However, in September 2018, we told how the deal had fallen through and Clanranald had withdrawn its interest in the purchase. The deal to take over ownership was held up over uncertainty about the ownership of the surrounding fixtures. The church then suffered severe water damage to walls and floorboards following a burst pipe earlier in 2018. The Clanranald Trust opted to move its operations from the town back to Duncarron, a full–scale replica of an early medieval fortified village in the Carron Valley. St Kessog’s ceased operation as a church in 1985 and was purchased and converted by Stirling Council into a tourist information centre prior to being taken over by the Clanranald Trust.
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