Perth (Scotland)

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Perth is a city in Perthshire, Scotland, which lies on the banks of River Tay.

[edit] Understand

Perth used to be Scotland's capital from the 12th century on with the important Scone Palace nearby. Nowadays it is a pretty quiet place with around 50,000 inhabitants, many of whom work in financial services.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By Car

Perth can be accessed from Edinburgh via the M90 from the south, Glasgow and Stirling via the A9 from the southwest, Inverness via the A9 from the north and Dundee and Aberdeen via the A90 from the east. Broxden roundabout, on the outskirts of Perth, is unique as it lists all 6 of Scotland's cities on its exit signs, as well as Crianlarich, a small settlement that must be passed through en route to major tourist centres such as Oban, Glencoe, Fort William, Mull and Iona (visitors to Scotland might be forgiven for thinking that Crianlarich is in fact a city, given the number of road signs that mention it).

[edit] By plane

The nearest commercial airports are Dundee (22 mi/32 km), Edinburgh (40 mi/64km), Glasgow (68mi/110km) and Aberdeen (91mi/147km).

[edit] By train

There is a train station with trains leaving to Dundee, Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness.

[edit] By bus

• Buses to and from Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness, operated by Citylink and Megabus
• There are buses to Oban from May until October
• National Express run buses to England.

[edit] Get around

[edit] See

Scone Palace

• Scone Palace, Scone (2 miles / 3km north of Perth, follow A93 and signs), 01738 552 300 (visits@scone-palace.co.uk), [1]. Scone is the historic crowning place of no less than 42 Scottish kings, including Robert the Bruce and Bonnie Prince Charlie. Where you can now see the Palace, built early 19th century, stood once the Abbot's Palace. You can see a replica of the Stone of Destiny, upon which the kings were crowned. The original stone was thought to have been stolen by Edward I and brought to London, but some believe the original was hidden by its guardians and that the English king was given a locally quarried substitute. A few years ago this stone was finally returned to Scotland and now resides in Edinburgh Castle. Visitors more interested in medieval history might not want to buy the rather expensive ticket for the Palace, but you can walk around the park on a cheaper ticket. The Palace offers an extensive collection of 17th and 18th century Ivories in the State Dining Rooms, 18th century French furnite, a big collection of Poreclain, Queen Victoria's boudoir and information of the Scottish kings. Palace & Grounds £6.95/5.95/4.00 (adult/student, senior/child). Grounds only £3.50/3.00/2.20 (adult/student, senior/child). Open April-October, Mo-Su 9:30-17:30 (last entry 16:45).
• St. John's Kirk is the center of the town and the oldest building in Perth, dating back to to 1159.
• St Ninian's Cathedral, not as old but none the less impressive.
• The Black Watch Museum, Balhousie Castle, Hay Street, 0131 3108530 (fax 01738 643245). Military history of the 42nd/73rd Highland Regiments. Paintings, medals, uniforms and weapons on display. No admission fee, but donations welcome. May-September Mo-Sa 10:00-16:30, October-April Mo-Fr 10:00-15:30.
• Perth Museum & Art Gallery, 78 George Street, 01738 632488 (fax 01738 443505), [2]. Collection of Pictish Stones, art and information about natural history, human history and archeology. Mo-Sa 10:00-17:00, closed Christmas to New Year inclusive. Free admission.
• Fergusson Gallery, Marshall Place. The works of J.D. Fergusson, the Scottish colourist artist and Perthshire local. Admission free. Mo-Sa 10:00-17:00.

[edit] Do

• If you are fit enough you can cycle up to Kinnoull Hill to have a superb view over the landscape. Cross River Tay over the Perth Bridge to the east side of the river. Go straight across the intersection and follow the road for about 3km and then turn right at the sign to Kinnoull hill. You probably want to leave the bike at the car park unless you're up for some 2km off-road biking, but the walk to the summit is worth it!
• You can also drive up with the car to Kinnoull Hill and walk from the car park 2km up to the summit to get an impressive view over Perth and its surrounding.

[edit] Work

There is potential for picking up seasonal work in the many restaurants, hotels and tourists attractions, particularly during the summer. There is also the nearby Cairngorms for skiing in the winter. In the rural areas surrounding Perth it is possible to earn money picking fruit or vegetables.

Unemployment is generally lower than the Scottish average, however many jobs are in retail or hospitality and so do not pay great wages. The biggest employers are Scottish and Southern, Perth and Kinross Council and Norwich Union.

[edit] Buy

Perth is historically a centre for whisky, Bells is a particularly fine one. Many distilleries are still in operation in the area around Pitlochry, however the ones in the city have now closed.

Caithness Glass, at the top of the Dunkeld Road, is a visitor centre where all manner of glassware can be purchased. Visitors can also take a tour of the factory, seeing glass blowing and other techniques in practice.

[edit] Eat

• Cafe Tabou (4 St John's Place, 01738 446698) is a good value French restaurant in the town centre. There is a two course pre-theatre menu (£11.50) available on some nights.

[edit] Drink

• That Bar, 145-149 South St, Perth, PH2 8NY, 01738 634523.
• City Nightclub, South Methven Street.
• The Ice Factory, Shore Road.

[edit] Sleep

Best Western Lovat Hotel, Glasgow Road, Perth, PH2 0LT - The Best Western Lovat Hotel is a charming privately owned hotel in a quiet, yet very central location, close to the city center of Perth.

Ramada Perth, West Mill Street, Perth, PH1 5QP - The Ramada Perth hotel is a former 15th century watermill, located in the centre of Perth.

[edit] Stay safe

The local police is Tayside Police. Perth is home to the Force's Western Divisional Headquarters, situated in Barrack Street. Although in the UK '999' is the number to call the emergency services, you may also want to take note of the direct phone number to Perth Divisional HQ : +441738 621141

Perth is generally a safe city. The town centre can get a bit rowdy on Friday and Saturday nights, and the walk across the South Inch to get to The Ice Factory nightclub can be a bit dodgy and there is often potholes that you can't see in the dark. There was a bus put on between the Post Office on South St and the club, though this may have ceased now.

Avoid the areas to the North of the North Inch, particularly along the Dunkeld Road, at night. This is also true of the Crieff Road but to a lesser extent.

The Norrie Miller riverside walk is a regular evening haunt of small gangs of apparently bored school-age teenagers.

Beware of some rowdy behaviour and shouting on the railway bridge footpath over the River Tay on Friday and Saturday nights. This is usually made by drunk teenagers (of both sexes) on their way home to the middle-class residential areas of Kinnoull Hill and Dundee Road (the more civilised ones sometimes get a bit quieter as they near home so as not to wake their parents).

[edit] Cope

• TIC, Lower City Mills, 01738 450600. You can get a free map of Perth and with all the sights in Perthshire.

[edit] Get out

• Dollar - There is the partial ruin of Castle Campbell to explore and some good walks through Dollar Glen
• Dunkeld
• Kinross
• Pitlochry