1000-1603 AD

Medieval period

Watergate
1000-1603 AD / 1603-1774 AD

Watergate

There is a modern information board just around the corner in nearby Baxter’s Vennel which gives a detailed account of the Watergate, one of the most important streets in historic Perth. For centuries it was the nearest road parallel to the River Tay. The board recounts the layout of vennels dating from medieval times including Water Vennel and Fountain Close. It also lists various buildings which existed here in the Medieval and Post Medieval periods. These included the Lord Chancellors House, the Bishop of Dunkeld's Palace and Gowrie House. The present buildings in Watergate were largely built in the 18th…

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28/11/2023
Perth Harbours
1000-1603 AD

Perth Harbours

On Tay Street just south of Queen's Bridge and opposite the Sherriff Court is Panel 1 of the Medieval Trail which explains how Perth has been a ‘Perfect Location’ since at least medieval times. This replaced an earlier information board entitled 'Harbours of Perth' also pictured. In Medieval times the harbour was approximately where the aptly named Quayside Court housing complex now stands. The channel corresponds to where Canal Street now runs.

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27/11/2023
Bridges of Perth – Tay Street plaques
1000-1603 AD / 1603-1774 AD / 1774-1901 AD

Bridges of Perth – Tay Street plaques

A modern notice board on Tay Street outlines the history of the Bridges of Perth. It is Panel 3 of the Perth Medieval Trail entitled Crossing the Tay and replaces an earlier board (also pictured). A little further south along Tay Street is another board (Panel 2) entitled Soggy Feet which explains changes in the ground level of Tay Street over history. 

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27/11/2023
Bridges of Perth – North Inch plaques
1000-1603 AD / 1603-1774 AD / 1774-1901 AD / City walls, gates and bridges

Bridges of Perth – North Inch plaques

At the gateway to the Memorial Garden, on the North Inch, there are two plaques, one on each side of the entrance. The left -hand side shows present Perth Bridge, the right-hand side shows the Old Perth Bridge. By comparison the new bridge has fewer arches each of which is higher and wider than in the Old Bridge. The Old Bridge being lower and the arches narrower it is clear there was a greater possibility of debris brought down by the river in flood could form a dam, which would cause the bridge to collapse.

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27/11/2023
The Guildry Plaques on Tay Street
1000-1603 AD / 1603-1774 AD / 1774-1901 AD / City walls, gates and bridges

The Guildry Plaques on Tay Street

A series of six metal plaques are set on the top of the riverside flood wall on Tay Street, just north of the viewing platform. The plaques were funded by the Guildry Incorporation and describe various elements of the civic history of Perth. The first plaque records the visit of James VI in April 1601, before he became King of the United Kingdom. It records how much he was made welcome with ‘much wine’ and ‘a banquet’ but this was less than a year since an attempt had been made on his life while he resided at Gowrie House in…

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27/11/2023
History of Golf in Perth
1000-1603 AD

History of Golf in Perth

Until recently there was a modern information board close to the railway bridge over the Tay, setting out the history of the game in Perth. There is a reference to James IV playing in Perth in 1504 despite the recently past  laws prohibiting the game. (see Archery Butts). Beside it was another board entitled 'Perth and the Railways' and nearby one called 'Wildlife on the Tay' but all of these have been removed.

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26/11/2023
King James VI Hospital
1000-1603 AD / 1774-1901 AD

King James VI Hospital

An information board (panel 10 of the PKHT Medieval Trail) explains the history of the Hospital. A Hospital at that time could be described as an early form of Poor House. It was built on the site of a Carthusian Monastery A royal charter in 1569 during the regency of the Earl of Moray established a hospital in Perth. The 1587 date on the building refers to a second royal charter by King James VI when he become old enough to rule, although buildings were not erected until 1596. The original buildings were not on the present site but close to…

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19/11/2023
Greyfriars Monastery and Burial Ground
1000-1603 AD / Religious

Greyfriars Monastery and Burial Ground

The  Franciscan Monastery was founded in 1460 but destroyed in 1559 at the start of the Scottish Reformation. Franciscans are sometimes referred to as Greyfriars. The original Rule of Saint Francis did not allow ownership of property, requiring members of the order to beg for food while preaching. The austerity was meant to emulate the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. Franciscans travelled and preached in the streets, while staying in church properties.      The gate post and lintel at the entrance to the grounds give information on the Spey Tower, the city walls and details the site of the deaths…

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18/11/2023
Carthusian Monastery
1000-1603 AD / Religious

Carthusian Monastery

Occupying extensive lands south of Hospital Street and west of King Street, the Carthusian Priory in Perth was the only one in Scotland, was founded in 1429 by James I (1406–1437). The  foundation of a Carthusian or Charterhouse Monastery is recorded on the obelisk in the rounds, on the corner of King Street and Hospital Street. Further details are on the information board 'The Vale of Virtue' on Hospital Street, panel 10 of the PKHT Medieval Trail. The Carthusian Order  is an enclosed order of both monks and nuns. The Carthusians are the most ascetic and austere of all the European monastic orders…

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18/11/2023
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