St John Street – Perth Civic Trust

1774-1901 AD / Commerce

Building at 25 St John Street

According to a plaque beside the left entrance, the building at 25 St John Street, erected between 1846-1847 in the style of an Italian Renaissance palazzi, was designed by David Rhind, (1808-1883), a pupil of Pugin. Pugin worked with Barry on the design, construction and internal furnishings of the Palace of Westminster. It was originally the local headquarters of the Central Bank, then the main Perth branch of the Bank of Scotland and most recently Lakeland. Rhind is responsible for a building of a similar design on the corner of South Street and Princes Street. The building currently houses a restaurant.

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28/11/2023

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 of Perth; much of the text describes the origin and development of the store. In 1868 when Perth had a population of only 25,000 there were 16 draper shops in St. John Street.

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19/11/2023

Religious

Bishop of Dunkeld’s House, St John Street

A painted wooden board high up at the southern end of St John Street describes the position of the Bishop’s House. The house was erected in 1414-1416 and demolished in 1821. The board is in poor repair and becoming illegible. This board should be read in conjunction with Fountain Close.

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18/11/2023

War Memorials

Association of Perth Veterans War Memorial

Perth's most recent war memorial is in St John Street at the east end of St Johns Kirk. It was erected by the Association of Perth Veterans (APV) during 2020 and dedicated on June 26, 2021 after delays due to the Covid-19 pandemic. “The APV was formed in 2018 as a pressure group to ensure that those men and women who served in the forces from the Perth area, as well as those who gave their lives for our country – and the memorials erected to honour them – aren’t forgotten,” retired Colonel Bert Macrae, association secretary, explained to the local press in June 2021. “Our main aim from day one was to get a proper war memorial erected in the centre of Perth. The city has never had a proper war memorial and over the years wreaths were laid at the Mercat Cross, opposite Perth City Hall. This is not a war memorial – it was erected in 1913 to the memory of King Edward, Queen Victoria’s oldest son.” A bronze plaque accompanying the badges bears the inscription: “Erected in remembrance of all the men and women of HM armed forces who gave the ultimate sacrifice in the service of…

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21/10/2023