26/11/2024
Saying Goodbye is the Hardest Thing to Do
An open letter to all our guests, friends, coworkers, and newfound family members.
On April 19th, 2003, we opened Callander Meadows for the first time at night. We had been open for a week before, but Nick was still finishing up work at Gleneagles Hotel. The kids were young, and so were we—or so we thought. This dream had been in our hearts for years, and we worked tirelessly to make it a reality. Callander Meadows was our chance to bring together everything we had learned over the years. It became not just a restaurant and B&B, but our home—a home that loved us as much as we loved it for 21 incredible years.
In the early days, we started small and worked with what we had. Many of the tables, chairs, and crockery came with the place, and with the help of friends and family, we slowly transformed everything over time.
Our guiding ethos has always been the foundation of Callander Meadows: **quality food, locally sourced, prepared with love and an understanding of how it all comes together.** For 21 years, this principle shaped everything we did. We welcomed thousands of guests into our home—diners in our restaurant and visitors in our B&B—with big smiles, good company, and genuine care. Nick would often join customers after the last main course had been served to greet diners, a small but meaningful way to connect and ensure we were always giving our best. Leaving Callander Meadows after 21 years is indescribably bittersweet. Anyone who has worked in catering knows that 21 years feels more like 140 in “regular” years! Our home has been a place filled with stress, sweat, blood, tears, laughter, parties, and countless unforgettable moments. There are far too many names to mention, but know that none of it would have been possible without you. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you to everyone who helped shape Callander Meadows. We will treasure these memories forever.As we look to the future, we are thrilled to pass the reins to Josh, who will bring his own style and ideas to 24 Main Street. We will be here to welcome him and his family to the village, and we hope you will do the same.
Nick and Susannah x
