Perth in central Scotland has long been know as the “Fair City”, even although it’s not officially a city. It was the capital of Scotland in the 13th and 14th century. I really like Perth, it’s a grand yet laid back small city on the banks of the River Tay with two large parks, several museums, a theatre and concert hall and a good selection of shops, cafes and restaurants.

Perth from the banks of the River Tay

Perth Museum and Art Gallery looks very impressive from outside with its copper dome and columns. The museum is one of the oldest local museums in Scotland, built in 1824 on the site of a Domenican friary. The Black Watch Museum is on Dalhousie Castle and charts the history of the regiment. The Fergusson Gallery has a large collection by the Scottish Colourist Duncan Fergusson housed in a former water works building, dating from 1832. Perth Festival of the Arts runs annually during from mid May. Horsecross was set up to run Perth Theatre and the new Concert Hall.

Perth is a city full of flowers. In Summer there are hanging baskets everywhere. Branklyn Gardens is an interesting small garden run by the National Trust for Scotland. Its star exhibits are blue poppies. Cherrybank Gardens boasts the largest heather collection in Europe.

Branklyn Gardens

The Caithness Glass Visitor Centre is located in a industrial estate, where the A9 heads north from Perth. You can watch the glass blowers making the paperweights. There is also a kids play area, a restaurant, shop and exhibition.

There’s plenty of open space in the city centre with the two parks. The North Inch has riverside walks, a golf course and a sports centre. The South Inch has a skatepark, a large kids adventure playground and a boating pond.

Scone Palace, just outside Perth,was the location of the coronations of Scottish Royalty, when they would sit on the Stone of Scone during the ceremony. Elcho Castle is a well preserved 16th century castle by the River Tay, a few miles south east of Perth.

Elcho Castle

You could easily spend a couple of days in and close to Perth but there loads more to do and see in the surrounding area of Perthshire.

This post was featured on the Carnival of Cities 21 January 2008.