Perth Area

Perth

Elcho Castle

Abernethy

Area Main Page

Perth has Royal blood in its veins. Nearby is Scone, where all Scottish monarchs from 838 were invested. The ceremonial Stone of Scone, the Stone of Destiny, which featured in the investiture of successive Scottish monarchs, was taken from there by Edward I of England in 1296. It only officially returned to Scotland 700 years later, in 1996.

Perth's potential was first recognised by the Romans, who built a fort nearby. Sited on the banks of the River Tay, Perth developed as a major trading centre based on its port and its strategically significant location at the lowest bridging point of the Tay for many centuries. Today it remains an important market town and a commercial centre for the region.

Visitor attractions include St John's Kirk, sited behind the City Hall; and the Fair Maid's House, featured in Sir Walter Scott's novel The Fair Maid of Perth. By the North Inch is Balhousie Castle, now the headquarters and museum of the Black Watch, originally the 15th Century home of the Earls of Kinnoull. The Perth Mart Visitor Centre explores Perth's agricultural heritage. Caithness Glass has its factory and visitor centre just outside the town.

Two miles north of Perth is Scone Palace. Built in 1580 in the grounds of a former abbey, it was enlarged in 1803 and having passed between families is today home to the Earl and Countess of Mansfield. The palace is sited in extensive parkland and there are rare pine trees in the grounds. A superb collection of French furniture is also on display in the palace.

On the Crieff road out of Perth you will find Huntingtower Castle, a fascinating glimpse of the way buildings are altered to meet the needs of their occupants: and another key part of the backdrop to Scotland's history.

Four miles in the opposite direction, on the south bank of the River Tay, is Elcho Castle, easily one of the best castles to visit in Scotland. A marked contrast, further south and near the village of Glenfarg, is the high and lonely location of Balvaird Castle. Further east you come to the ancient village of Abernethy with its remarkable Round Tower.

The southern end of this area is marked by Loch Leven, complete with Lochleven Castle on Castle Island, and the nearby town of Kinross.