Callander began his rugby career playing for Kelso at the age of 16; and at the age of 18 collected his first coveted Melrose Sevens winner's medals.
While captain of Kelso Rugby Club (1984–85 and 1987–88) he led the team to become Border League winners in 1984–85 and to then win the Division 1 Championships in 1987–88.
His Sevens career also took him twice to the final of the Hong Kong Sevens Cup competition, playing for the Co-Optimists and the Scottish Borderers.[2]
Callander was capped by Scotland 'B' in 1982 to play against France 'B'.
He won six caps playing hooker for the Scotland national team between 1984 and 1988. He was captain of the Scottish team for five matches, including a 24–11 win over France at Murrayfield Stadium in 1988.
In 1993, together with Simon Scott, he began coaching the Scottish students team.[7]
He has successfully coached a wide range of teams across Scotland between 1991 and 2007 including Gala, Watsonians and Kelso. He joined Watsonians in 2001[8] and left in 2004.[9]