Perth Civic Trust erects new blue plaques at various sites in Perth where there is an unmet need. The usual requirement is that a person of significance was born, lived, died or was associated with a specific place in Perth. Usually some time (20 years is quoted) needs to elapse after the person’s death. Plaques can also describe a significant historical event or a building which has disappeared or whose function has changed. We have a number of places and people on our shortlist but we would welcome any suggestions. Do you have any suggestions? Just email us at: webmaster@perthcivictrust.org.uk
For full details of our plaque design and criteria see the document at the foot of this page.
Magnus Jackson – Princes Street
Our third Perth Civic Trust blue plaque was unveiled on 30th November 2025 in Princes Street, at the site of the studio built by early photographer Magnus Jackson. Our chairman Willie Wilson spoke of Magnus Jackson’s importance in documenting Perth and its people in the 19th century. He was assisted by Bill Montgomery of the Guildry Incorporation and building owner John McEwan who showed us old photographs and documents related to historic buildings in Perth. Also in attendance were Councillors Andy Chan and Iain MacPherson, Wol Gilbraith and Jimmy Herd of Perthshire Photographic Society, Sabrina Willekens of Perth Museum and Pavo Interpretation, and Ian Cameron, Sue Hendrie, Roben Antoniewicz and Mike Bell (Perth Civic Trust).
Jessie Mann and David Octavius Hill – Watergate
In June 2025 the first two Perth Civic Trust blue plaques were unveiled at 3 Watergate in one of Perth’s most historic streets. Although it is something of a backwater now, we need to remember that, before Tay Street was constructed in 1870-1875, Watergate was the main street along the river Tay with the land sloping down from it to the river bank.
The first plaque concerns the early photographer Jessie Mann, considered to be Scotland’s first female photographer. It is thought that her birthplace, now demolished, may have been number 22, opposite 3 Watergate where David Octavius Hill was born three years earlier. Hill was educated at Perth Academy then studied painting in Edinburgh. Mann also moved to Edinburgh and became assistant to Hill and his partner Robert Adamson at their studio in Rock House. There is evidence that she took photographic portraits in 1843 and 1844, making her the first women in Scotland ever to become involved professionally in the new medium of photography. Hill and Adamson took many of the earliest photographs in Scotland and their work has featured in national exhibitions. Jessie Mann was included in the Tate Britain exhibition ‘Painting with Light’ in 2016.
What is a Perth Civic Trust Blue plaque?
Our plaques are made of metal with raised lettering and can be 30cm across if at street level, or 40cm or more if mounted higher up.
Here is a full description of our criteria for plaque selection: