The historic city of Perth sits beside the River Tay. The name “Perth” comes from the Pictish word for a wood or copse and there is evidence of settlements going back 8000 years on the raised ground beside the flood plain of the River Tay. Visitors can still see neolithic standing stones and circles dating from this time. The surrounds of rural also Perthshire offer a wealth of natural and historical wonders for visitors to explore.
In the middle-ages, Perth’s importance was further cemented as the location of the Stone of Destiny at nearby Scone Abbey, where the King of Scots was traditionally crowned. From royals to revolutionaries, Perth was occupied by Jacobite supporters on three separate occasions. It later became a major industrial centre, producing linen, leather, bleach and whisky, helped by the arrival of the railways. Perth has been known as “The Fair City” since the publication of Sir Walter Scott’s story “Fair maid of Perth in 1828. Perthshire remains one of the most popular destinations for visitors to Scotland, and the attractions of the city make it well worth it.
