Are you searching for the Best Places to Visit in Perth? Are you thinking of a trip to Europe and wondering what to explore in Perth? We’ve got you covered. This bustling market town, once the capital of Scotland, is now a beautiful spot on the banks of River Tay. Perth was the capital city of Scotland from the mid-15th-century onwards.
It remains one of the country’s most important cultural and commercial centers. This charming town, also known as “the fair city,” is home to many fine museums and a famous castle. You can also walk and hike in the nearby countryside.
Take a stroll along Tay Street to see some of the city’s most historic buildings along the River Tay. You can browse exciting galleries and boutiques or visit one of the beautiful parklands, the North Inch or South Inch, which border the city center.
St John’s Kirk is one of the most popular attractions in the town. This church, dating back to the 12th century, is where John Knox gave a sermon in 16th-century England. This sermon sparked the Reformation and led to the destruction of many religious sites.
The Black Watch Regimental Museum reveals the history of Scotland’s oldest Highland regiment. This fascinating museum tells the story of the beloved company from its inception in the 18th century to the present. You can also see historical photographs, weapons, and the personal effects of Black Watch soldiers.
Visitors of all interests will find something to enjoy at the Perth Art Gallery and Museum. The museum is housed in a 19th-century building that Rome’s Pantheon inspired. It features art, archeology, nature, and global and local history exhibits. The extensive collection of archival photographs, including 19th-century photos of Perth, is worth a look.
The iconic Scone Palace is located just north of Perth. The palace was once the location for the Scottish king’s coronations. It features beautiful rooms and galleries filled with historical furniture and exquisite objets d’art. The Long Gallery is the amplest room in any Scottish house and contains the dining room where Prince Albert and Queen Victoria ate during their 1842 visit.
Perth is located 44 mi (71 km) north of Edinburgh. From Edinburgh, take the train or bus. The city center of Perth can be explored easily on foot. A visit to Scotland’s former capital is a must.
Scone Palace
Scone Palace is one of the best places to visit in Perth. Scone Palace, a Category A-listed historic house and 5-star tourism attraction located near Scone and Perth in Scotland, is Scone Palace. It is made of red sandstone and has a castellated roof. It is one of the best examples of late Georgian Gothic architecture in the United Kingdom.
Scone is steeped in history. It was once home to an early Christian church and later became an Augustinian priory. Scone Priory was given abbey status in the 12th century. As a result, Abbot’s residence – an Abbot’s Palace – was built. The Palace name is still being used for the present structure.
After a mob led by John Knox, a famous reformer, attacked Scone Abbey in 1559, Scone was severely damaged during the Scottish Reformation. The Abbey survived the Reformation and became a secular Lordship in the parish of Scone (Scotland). For over 400 years, the Palace has been home to Earls of Mansfield. William Atkinson, an architect, enlarged the Palace in the early 19th century.
Atkinson was commissioned by David William Murray, 3rd Earl of Mansfield, in 1802 to expand the Palace and recast the Palace of Scone from the 16th century. Atkinson was tasked by the 3rd Earl with updating the Palace while keeping the characteristics of the medieval Gothic abbey structures it was built. The majority of the work was completed in 1808.
John Claudius Loudon was responsible for the landscaping around the Palace. Loudon, like Atkinson, was tasked to design a landscape that would be in harmony with Scone’s historical significance. Scone was the crowning place of Scottish Kings for almost 1000 years and home to the Stone of Scone. It has a lot of historical importance. In 1842, further work was done to prepare Scone Palace for Queen Victoria’s and Prince Albert’s visits.
Although most of the work was done for interior decor, the Earl had to pay for running water. Many of the original interior designs from the early 19th century remain intact, including many vaulted ceilings and intricately carved carvings. Scone Palace is a 5-star tourist attraction.
From April to October, the State Rooms are accessible. Groups can organize visits during winter months. The Palace grounds are also available to the public. The gardens feature the David Douglas Pinetum and a star-shaped maze. The Palace hosts several outdoor events, including the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust’s Scottish Game Fair, Rewind Festival, and the Farming of Yesteryear.
Black Watch Regimental Museum
This poignant museum is dedicated to one of the most famous regiments in Scotland. The Black Watch Regimental Museum is dedicated to the Black Watch Regiment, Scotland’s oldest Highland regiment. The museum features an impressive collection that includes paintings, archival photos, audiovisual displays, and artifacts.
Its remarkable collection tells the story of the regiment’s origins from the 18th century to the present. The company played a crucial role in the brutal trench warfare of World War I. You can see the regiment’s historical uniforms, weaponry, medals, and some of their items.
Balhousie Castle is where the museum is located. It dates back to the 12th century. The Black Watch was established in 1725 as a government watchdog over the Highlands after the 1715 Jacobite Uprising. The regiment’s name is a result of the distinctive dark tartan they wore, which contrasts with the red tartans worn by government troops.
Over the centuries, the regiment participated in many campaigns before merging with other Scottish companies. The museum’s entrance has an introductory film that gives a quick overview of the Black Watch and its key icons.
You can navigate the museum’s galleries by following seven chronological and five themed galleries. Look for an 18th-century red plumage. A red feather soldiers wore to distinguish themselves from other Highland regiments.
A gallery dedicated to World War I is particularly moving. The regiment lost almost 8,000 soldiers during this war. A young officer’s kilt, complete with the mud from the trenches where he death in 1916, can be viewed. You can see the gas masks soldiers used to protect themselves and memorial plaques for loved ones who died.
Check to see if any temporary exhibitions are taking place during your visit. These rotating exhibitions are often about Black Watch men’s collections, giving insight into their lives.
The Black Watch Regimental Museum’s hours of operation vary according to season. There is an admission charge. Guided tours of this museum are available at an additional cost. The center is only a short walk away from the museum.
Fair Maids House Visitor and Information
Fair Maids House Information Centre and Visitor Centre is an excellent resource for anyone interested in answering questions such as “What countries have mobile phones?” and “Where are most of the coldest places on earth?” The Earth room allows you to view the planet from space.
In the Education room, you can also see how the continents change. You can also find out more about the hottest or coldest countries. The Explorer’s Room is great for reading a book or checking out maps.
This center is unique in Britain. It uses the most advanced audiovisual technology to tell you everything about the planet. The friendly staff is available to help you with any questions. It is a fantastic place, with many artifacts and exhibits to explore. There is something for everyone.
Hours of operation
9 April – 22 October Tuesdays – Saturdays, 1.00 pm – 4.30 pm
Perth Art Gallery and Museum
This is the oldest museum in Britain and contains more than half a billion objects. The Perth Art Gallery and Museum has an extensive collection of artifacts that relate to art, natural history, and archaeology. The museum is housed in a magnificent 19th-century building and offers a fascinating overview of local life over the centuries.
It also explores culture and nature around the world. You can also see animal paintings by Sir Edwin Landseer and historic photos of the town. There are also taxidermied animal specimens as well as Bronze Age flints.
Rome’s Pantheon inspired this museum. The building was designed by David Morison and completed in 1824. It was the first purpose-built museum building in the United Kingdom. The beautiful neoclassical interior is open to the public. Take a look at the stunning glass dome that decorates the main reception. The 8th-century Pictish Saint Madoes cross slab is just before the gallery entrance.
The museum’s art collection includes works by Scottish artists from the 19th Century to the present and some works by European Old Masters. You can find Beatrix Potter’s watercolor botanical studies of mushrooms and John Everett Millais’s portrait of his Perth-born spouse. See Horatio McCulloch’s iconic work, Loch Katrine. This is a stunning representation of Scotland in the 19th Century. The modern collection will find jobs from Joyce Cairns and Joan Eardley.
The collection of over 150,000 photographs is a treasure trove. These photographs provide a valuable record of everyday life in Perthshire and Perthshire from the 1850s to today. This collection contains approximately 2,500 negatives on glass plates from the 19th Century, some of the oldest photographs of the town.
The Perth Art Gallery and Museum are open from Tuesday through Saturday all year. Sundays are also available from March through October. Admission is free. The museum is located in the northeastern part of central Perth. It can be reached by foot from all parts of town. There are street and parking garages nearby. Enjoy a day exploring the many exhibits in this museum.
Noahs Ark Perth
Noahs Ark Perth is one of the best places to visit in Perth. Noah’s Ark’s huge soft play area is perfect for children up to 12 years of age. It has lots of fun and reassuringly safe equipment that kids can blast on. The ball pool is an excellent place for kids to play, slide, climb and bury themselves in it. There are also plenty of opportunities for social exercise. Brilliant! Infants younger than one-year-old are eligible for free.
You can also find a ten-pin bowling alley, an indoor karting track for those over 4 feet 4 inches, a junior driver, a double-seater, and adult-sized karts. There is also paint your ceramics workshop where you can create some magical gifts for friends or a masterpiece for yourself.
Various party options are available, including Soft Play and party food, as well as Kart Races or Ceramics Sessions. You choose! You can choose!
It’s a day of indoor joy that will brighten any rainy day.
Hours of operation
Indoor Karting & Bowling
October – March
Monday through Sunday 10:00 – 18:00
April – September
Monday through Sunday 10:00 – 20:00
Falls of Bruar
These falls probably formed sometime in the last 10,000 years, following the retreat of glaciers at the end of the last Ice Age. The water slowly cut through the rock that had been pushed up 500 million years ago by the geological forces that formed the Scottish Highlands.
Because of the layering of stones, the water has made a path through the soft rock while leaving the more complex rock unaffected. This has resulted in the formation of outcrops, deep pools, and, in one spot, a natural arch. There are two significant falls, as well as several smaller drops. The peat through the water’s flow is often what gives it its brown color.
The A9 Perth– Inverness road runs near the foot of the Falls in Glen Garry. There is also a car park and a shopping center from which visitors can access the falls. The Lower Bridge is accessible by a circular footpath. It can be found close to the natural arch. The Upper Bridge is about 1/2 mile (800m) from the car park.
The falls drop 60 meters in total. Because of its narrowness, the falls look best after heavy rain. However, since the construction in the late 1940s of a hydroelectric power scheme, water is now extracted further upstream, and the waterfalls no longer reach their original volume.
Huntingtower Castle
Huntingtower Castle offers a beautiful insight into castle life. It is well preserved and contains two tower houses. The eastern tower has a unique fine-painted ceiling that is among Scotland’s oldest and best kept. The Green Man is visible in the painting. You will enjoy spectacular views if you can climb a little bit and have the courage to go up the battlements.
There are many hidden passageways and nooks, and corners to explore. In each room, you will find information boards that provide historical information and stories about royal intrigues and romantic escapes.
The castle is rich in history, some bloody. It has been home to famous visitors like Mary Queen of Scots, and her son James VI, even though he was detained here against his will during the renowned episode called ‘Ruthven Raid.
Hours of operation
Saturday through Wednesday 10:00 – 16:00
Elcho Castle
Elcho Castle is one of the best places to visit in Perth. Elcho Castle is in excellent condition and has many corridors and staircases. There are also nooks and corners, a hall, and several chambers. There are many toilets around the castle. You can try out costumes and pretend to own them. You can take a free quiz and receive a sticker. Guidebooks are also available for further information.
You can climb the roof and take in the beautiful views. If you’re not up for it, there is an area to walk around that includes an orchard and a trail leading from the castle to the river. Picnic tables are available.
Although the castle is unsuitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs, many stairs and uneven floors exist. However, the grounds are accessible.
Hours of operation
April 1st to September 30th
Monday through Sunday, 9.30 – 17:30
Lochleven Castle
The boat ride to Lochleven Castle takes you on a pleasant cruise. It is rich in history and will inspire your imagination. There is much more to discover, some of which could prove invaluable for school-age students.
The history of Lochleven’s island fastness is rich in colorful stories and has been visited many times by famous personalities. King Robert Bruce was one of the many people who took the boat across Loch Leven alone. Other prisoners were kept within the castle walls, like Robert the High Stewart, who was held in prison for two years before his coronation as Robert II.
The castle will always be associated with Mary Queen of Scots, another Stewart sovereign. She visited the court in 1561 as Sir William Douglas’ guest. Her last visit was in 1567-8. She was there as a prisoner. You can even pine in the rooms. She was forced to abdicate her throne at Lochleven to give birth to her son, James VI. She was held captive by the castle walls for less than one year. She escaped the Loch in May 1568 and was exiled to England in August 1568. Mary, go!
Although it can seem like a difficult journey, you can take a boat from Kinross to get there and then cruise along in style. You can also park at the departure point for your boat.
Hours of operation
Monday through Sunday, 10:00 – 16:15
Stanley Mills
Stanley Mills is one of the best places to visit in Perth. Stanley Mills, a well-preserved relic from the Industrial Revolution, allows you to learn more about the textiles produced here over 200 years. The original mills were powered using a water wheel, but over time this became water-powered turbines that generate electricity.
The visitor center offers information about the lives and times of those who worked there and how they changed in the age of innovation and new technology.
Interactive displays allow you to see if your fingers can be as agile as child laborers’ or if they are strong enough to profit at a mill. You can also change the flow of water and see the results.
It is a fascinating place with friendly staff.
Hours of operation
April 1 – September 30
Monday through Sunday, 9.30 – 17:30
1 – 31 October
Monday through Sunday, 10:00 – 16:00
Conclusion
All destinations are awesome! According to my opinion, Perth Art Gallery and Museum is the best to start. I hope you have enjoyed our list of Best Places to Visit in Perth.
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