Datestone at corner of High Street and S Methven Street
This datestone dated 1903 is high up on South Methven Street at its eastern corner with High Street.
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02/12/2023
Modern period
Bridgend Toll House
This is one of three toll houses in Perth still remaining, although there used to be more. The others still existing are on the Edinburgh Road and on the Dundee Road. There used to be one on the Crieff Road, Balhousie Toll House, opposite Unity Terrace. It was still there in the late 1970’s and had been converted into a house. It was later demolished along with an arcade of shops to make way for Toll House Gardens, part of the Fairfield redevelopment of Hunter’s Crescent. There was also one at the end of New Row to catch incoming Glasgow Road traffic. It is long gone. There was also one as part of the old Tollbooth at the bottom of the High Street, before Smeaton’s Bridge, to catch river traffic. There may well have been others. Now vacant, Bridgend Toll House contained J S Lees greengrocers for many years. It is now on the Buildings at Risk register with Historic Environment Scotland: J. S. Lees Grocers (Former), 1, West Bridge Street, Perth | Buildings at Risk Register The Bye Law on the notice board on the toll house sets out the rules for a locomotive (traction engine) crossing the bridge by…
02/12/2023
Sir James McKenzie
Sir James, who was born in this cottage at Pictstonhill Farm, became a famous cardiologist. While working in general practice in Burnley he developed theories relating to heart diseases. He devised surgical instruments to measure heart function and was responsible for the introduction of digitalis to control heart malfunction. Sir James was responsible for the establishment of the Military Heart Hospital where he acted as a consultant during the First World War. He was Knighted in 1915, aged 62.
31/10/2023
Sir Patrick Geddes Obelisk
An obelisk, standing in the gardens of the Rodney Pavilion, was erected in memory of Sir Patrick (1854-1932) who spent his childhood in a cottage on Mount Tabor Road. Adjacent to the obelisk is a plaque which explains the symbolism on the obelisk, symbols which encompass the range of Sir Patrick’s interests. Sir Patrick Geddes is principally renowned for his work as a pioneer of town planning. Due to his interest in the biological sciences he held a lectureship in botany at Aberdeen University and later, the chair of Botany at Queen’s College Dundee. He also held the chair of Sociology at Bombay University and founded The Scots College in Montpellier, France.
31/10/2023
Polish Army Memorial in High Street
This plaque at the doorway to the Old Council Offices at the east end of High Street is an expression of gratitude to the people of Perth by the Polish Army.
23/10/2023
Robert Douglas Memorial School – Polish Army
The Polish Army used the Robert Douglas Memorial School in Scone during the Second World War. The plaque on the front of the building was erected in gratitude for the kindnesses they had received.
23/10/2023
Scott Street Soldiers Home
High up on a wall in Scott Street at the entrance to the Scott Street car park are the painted words 'The Soldiers Home'. This building was formerly the Wauchope and Black Watch Memorial Home where thousands of World War One soldiers found a temporary refuge from the discomforts of war. (Duncan J., Perth A City Again, 2012. P280).
23/10/2023
Black Watch Castle and Museum
Balhousie Castle on Hay Street dates from 1631 but became the Black Watch Museum in 2009. South of the entrance is statue and inscription to remember the fallen of the Black Watch. Two plaques on the castle walls remember Field Marshall the Earl Wavell who as General Wavell commanded the 8th Army in North Africa where he defeated the Italians. Wavell was appointed Commander in Chief for Middle East. Following service in North Africa he was appointed to take charge of the defence of India in the Burmese theatre. Wavell’s final appointment was as Viceroy of India. A plaque beside the west gate commemorates the opening of the Gardens and the dedication of the gates to the memory of Field Marshall the Earl Wavell by his widow, Lady Wavell. The site also exhibits a series of plaques acknowledging the association of Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mother with the Regiment.
23/10/2023
Night Shelter for Females in Watergate
House number 13 in the Watergate was once the Burns Tavern but was converted in 1902 to become the Perth Night Shelter for Females by a charitable foundation set up around 1892. The Pullar family put up funding for this night shelter which provided shelter and a simple evening meal and breakfast for destitute women. Whilst at the shelter, its residents were preached to by a reader from the City Mission. By 1918 it became a paid-for lodging house and was finally wound up in 1952.
26/09/2023
Bowerswell House – Refurbishment
Three plaques associated with the donations given to refurbish the property, and an award to mark the quality of the work.
24/09/2023