Weekly City Spotlight: Perth

Located along the River Tay, Perth (the former capital of Scotland), is a central city in Scotland with a population close to 50,000 people. Perth is a great place to visit and live with large tracts of exciting parkland surrounding a enchanting city centre.

The city features fantastic architecture, fine galleries, excellent restaurants and is within easy striking distance of both Edinburgh and Glasgow. Following the decline of the local whisky industry, the city’s economy has now diversified to include insurance and banking. Main employers in the city now include Aviva, Royal Bank of Scotland and Scottish and Southern Energy.

The city gets its name from a Pictish word for wood or copse.

Historic Perth

There has been a settlement at Perth since prehistoric times, on a natural mound raised slightly above the flood plain of the Tay, where the river could be crossed at low tide.

Perth was once known as a ‘capital’ of Scotland, due to the frequent visits of the royal court. Royal Burgh status was eventually handed to the area by King William the Lion at the start of the 12th century.

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Additional information on Perth can be found on the Perth City website

Famous Faces

A number of famous faces have originated from, or are connected to, Perth. Just some are listed below.

Television Personality and Nutritionist Gillian McKeith was born in Perth…

Actor Ewan McGregor was also born in Perth and raised in nearby Crieff…

Stagecoach Group co-founders Brian Souter and Ann Gloag…

Sir George Mathewson was educated at Perth Academy…

Sights

Scone Palace

The original palace of 1580, built on a site intrinsic to Scottish history, was rebuilt in the early 19th century as a Georgian mansion of extreme elegance and luxury. The visit takes you through a succession of sumptuous rooms filled with fine French furniture and noble portraits. Outside, peacocks strut around the magnificent grounds, which incorporate woods, a butterfly garden and a maze.

Perth Museum

The city’s main museum is worth wandering through for the elegant neoclassical interior alone. There’s a varied shower of exhibits, ranging from portraits of dour lairds to interesting local social history. A geological room provides more entertainment for the young, while there are often excellent temporary exhibitions.

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