Holidays in Scotland

Perth Guide

The heritage of Perth is easy to trace owing to the number of interesting historical sites within walking distance of each other. Its position on the River Tay ensured that Perth became a busy trading port which still has a bustling harbour, the only inland harbour in Britain. In years gone by, salmon and wool were major exports from Perth, while claret was imported from Bordeaux in France. Between the High Street and South Street is St John's Kirk, still standing on its original site. It was founded in 1126, though most of the present church dates from the 15th century. In 1559 firebrand preacher John Knox gave one of his trademark sermons, inspiring the good folk of Perth to destroy the local monasteries. The church gave the town its original name of 'St John's town', a name upheld in the local football team, St Johnstone.

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A few minutes' walk north, on North Port, is the Fair Maid's House, the fictional home of Sir Walter Scott's virginal heroine in his novel, The Fair Maid of Perth. The novel was set in the 14th century, at the time of the Battle of the Clans which took place on the North Inch, just to the north, across Charlotte Street. Close by, at the corner of Charlotte Street and George Street, is the Museum and Art Gallery,T01738-632488, Mon-Sat 1000-1700, free, with displays on local history, art, archaeology, natural history and whisky.

In the 18th century the world-famous Black Watch regiment was raised in Perth, and the Black Watch Museum Hay St, T0131-3108530, May-Sep Mon-Sat 1000-1630, Oct-Apr Mon-Fri 1000-1530, free, housed in the 15th-century Balhousie Castle, is well worth a visit even to the most un-military minded. The museum is on the edge of the North Inch, to the north of the town centre. It's also worth perusing the work of the renowned Scottish colourist, John Duncan Fergusson, within the Fergusson GalleryT01738-441944, Mon-Sat 1000-1700, free, former site of Perth's waterworks.

May-Sep Mon-Sat 1000-1630, closed last Sat in Jun; Oct-Apr Mon-Fri 1000-1530. Free. Tel. 0131-310 8530. Back in the town centre, in West Mill Street is Lower City Mills (also home to the tourist office), a restored and working 19th-century oatmeal mill powered by a huge water wheel (closed to visitors at the time of writing).

Perth's other museum contains the excellent Fergusson Gallery, a display of works by the renowned Scottish colourist, John Duncan Fergusson. The gallery is found at the south end of Tay Street, near South Inch, in a splendid neo-classical building which was once Perth's waterworks. Mon-Sat 1000-1700. Free. TEl:441944.

Those with souvenirs to buy may be interested in a visit to the Caithness Glass factory, on Inveralmond Industrial Estate, two miles north of the town centre on the A9, where you can also watch the glass-blowing process. Easter-Oct Mon-Sat 0900-1700, Sun 1000-1700; Nov-Mar Mon-Sat 0900-1700, Sun 1200-1700. Free. TEl:492320.

For those with more horticultural leanings, Branklyn Garden, at 116 Dundee Road, T01738-625535 (NTS), 1 Apr-Oct daily 1000-1700, £5, £4 concession, has been described as "the finest two acres of private garden in the country". With an impressive collection of rare and unusual plants, it includes superb examples of Himalayan poppies. Well worth a visit at any time of year, many of the plants grown there are on sale in the shop.

Scone Palace

Huntingtower Castle

Kinnoull Hill Woodland Park

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