guilds – Perth Civic Trust

Fountain Close, the Vennels of South Street

Fountain Close is at 17 South Street on its north side. Until 2022, painted on the whitewashed walls were 14 descriptions of the old vennels of Perth and their relationship to the old Guilds of Perth with emblems of the Guilds. The descriptions were painted directly on to the walls. It is believed the images were painted by pupils of Kinnoull School under the guidance of Miss Rhoda Fothergill. They have now all been whitewashed over as can be seen in the first photo. The remainder of the photographs were taken in 2018 and 2019. Also shown is part of a…

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19/11/2023

Commerce

Baxters Vennel

There are several vennels in Perth, not all towns have them. The word is derived from the French “venelle” meaning a narrow lane between buildings. Baxters Vennel goes between St John Street and the Watergate, along the side of the former McEwans/Beales building. Walking along St John Street from South Street it is the first opening on the right. The plaque on the south side of the Vennel explains that Baxter was the old Scots name for bakers. There is evidence that the Baxter Incorporation had property in this area including a “Bakers Hall”. The plaque was donated by McEwans…

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19/11/2023

1000-1603 AD / Religious

St John’s Kirk

On the East Wall in St John Street is a plaque recording that King David granted the Church of St. John the Baptist in Perth to Dunfermline Abbey in 1126 under whose auspices Perth fell at that time. In 2020 the Association of Perth Veterans War Memorial was placed in front of this plaque. Outside the Kirk are two modern information boards. Earlier versions pictured here were initiated and funded by Perth Partnership, but these were replaced in 2021 by Panels 7 and 8 of the new Perth Medieval Trail created by Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust in conjunction with…

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16/10/2023

1000-1603 AD / Commerce

Hammerman Incorporation in High Street

A plaque in High Street just west of the entrance to Perth Theatre is a plaque marking where the Hammerman Incorporation met until 1895. They were one of the craft guilds of Perth which date back to the 15th century. All metal workers in Perth were required to join the Guild which was first incorporated in 1518.

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16/10/2023

Commerce

New Mercat Cross in King Edward Street

The New Mercat Cross which was erected in 1913 in memory of Edward VII, was said to be an exact copy of Old Mercat Cross. It is embellished with the crests of 13 town guilds, but there is no information to say which guild each of the crests represent. The Cross stands in King Edward Street which was created in 1901-1902. (Duncan. J., Perth, A City Again, 2012, p299)

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16/10/2023

1603-1774 AD / Commerce / War Memorials

Guildhall in High Street

Number 102-106 High Street was once the site for the Guildry Incorporation's Guildhall. On the actual building a plaque giving the date of the construction of the original Guildhall in 1722 and rebuilding in 1907. In the pediment the figures of Commerce and Industry support the coat of arms of the city of Perth under the Scottish crown. A plaque commemorating the opening of the new Guildhall in 1907, also a roll of honour for Guild members who fell in World War I is held in the current Guildry Incorporation offices in George Street.

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05/10/2023

1603-1774 AD / Commerce

Wright Incorporation in Watergate

The building dated 1725 at 21-29 Watergate was occupied by the Wright Incorporation of Perth from its construction in 1725 until as recently as 1968. The Wright Incorporation of Perth was one of a number of Guilds which were given monopoly rights to trade within the city, goods relating to their particular craft. The Incorporations were empowered to decide who should be admitted to the Guild and to set rules and standards to which members were required to adhere. The Wright Incorporation looked after the interests of masons, weavers, glaziers, barbers, carpenters and bookbinders. In 1833 they lost their authority…

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26/09/2023

1000-1603 AD / Commerce

Old Mercat Cross

A stone plaque in the roadway of the High Street near its junction with Skinnergate marks the site of the Old Mercat Cross. A modern information board close-by describes the various markets held over the centuries. This is Panel 6 of the Perth Medieval Trail which replaced an earlier board (also pictured below). Further details of markets and trades are recorded on Panel 8 at St John’s Kirk. The original cross was demolished by Cromwell’s engineers to provide stones for his citadel. It was re-instated in 1669 and this replacement demolished in 1765. It was here in 1746 that Charles…

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25/09/2023

1000-1603 AD / Commerce

Skinnergate

In medieval times Skinnergate was the main thoroughfare into Perth from the North. Many of the crafts and trades associated with Perth were established there just inside the burgh walls, most notably those associated with leather like the Glovers Incorporation founded in 1210. An information board entitled Perth – A Craftis Toun can be found on Mill Street at the north end of Skinnergate. This is number 5 in the Perth Medieval Trail.

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25/09/2023