1 Ancaster Square, Callander

No. 1 Ancaster Square is a two-storey house, originally dating from the later 18th century, prominently situated on a corner site and forming part of a row of rectangular plan houses. The square was designed as the focal point of the planned town of Callander in the later 18th century and retains that role. The southeast elevation was originally the principal facade, overlooking the square. A marriage lintel dated 1773 remains above the now partially blocked central doorway, which has been altered to create a window. The ground floor window on the left has been enlarged into a shop display.

The southwest elevation, facing onto the Main Street, is now the principal facade, following reorganisation of the building into a commercial premise. A large plate glass window, added in the 20th century, dominates the ground floor, with the shop’s entrance to the left. A tripartite window, likely inserted in the 19th century, is centrally placed on the first floor. The rear (northwest) elevation is largely hidden by the adjacent Royal Bank of Scotland building.

The exterior is characterised by thick painted render on all elevations, with painted stone margins around the openings. Replacement timber sash and case windows are in place. A pair of distinctive local style canted timber dormer windows with curved roofs are positioned to the east, with one similar dormer to the south. The roof is piended to the southeast corner due to the corner location and pitched against the higher gable of the adjacent bank building. The main section of the roof is pitched and continues at the same level to the adjoining property, No. 3 Ancaster Street. It is covered in grey slates with lead flashing, and features cast iron rainwater goods.

The interior has been extensively reorganised for commercial use, resulting in the loss of much of the original historical fabric.