Scotland4me.net Out and About

	Scotland4me.net	'Out and About'
'Perth'
	Brief Early History - Perth is a remarkable city with lots of history and is sometimes lovingly called Ancient Capital of Scotland. 1396 saw the Battle of the Clans. It took place on the North Inch of Perth. A fight to the death to settle a horrendous feud between the powerful Chattan and Mackay clans. Thirty warriors from each family (clan) formed before King Robert III on the battlefield. Only one McKay survived, while the majority of Chattens (twenty) were unscathed. Legend has it that the Chattans were a man short, therefore they recruited a local saddler. The good news is that he survived! James I, was murdered at Blackfriars in 1437. Apparently assassins burst into his bedroom. He attempted to escape through a tunnel, but he forgot that the far end was blocked by a grill! John Knox gave a sermon in St John's Kirk in 1559 (During the reformation period). The church unfortunately was divided into three parts after the reformation and restored to one during the years 1923 to 1926. The city was occupied by Montrose in 1644 and by Jacobites in 1689, 1715 and 1745. Now it is a bustling city with a population of over 43,000.
	Scone Palace - is full of history like no other place in Scotland. Today it is the home of the Earls of Mansfield and a premier attraction to visitors from all over the world. Fifteen hundred years ago it was the capital of the Pictish kingdom and the centre of the ancient Celtic church. Over many centuries it has been the seat of parliaments and the crowning place of Kings. It has housed the Stone of Destiny and been immortalised in Shakespeare’s Macbeth.
	Kinnoull Hill - One of the little known facts about Perth is Kinnoull Hill. The hill’s summit is a mere 700 (222 metres) feet above sea level. To get there you should park your car at the Jublilee car park. This is about one mile outside of the city limits on an unclassified road running from Perth to Kinfauns. You should then cross the road and go through the gate ahead. Two waymarked woodland tracks can be followed to Kinnoull Hill Tower. Scotland4me.net editorial staff can vouch that this summit is a great place to picnic on a nice day. We thoroughly enjoyed our walk and afterwards we settled down to a quiet relaxing meal at the end of the day.
	ST JOHN’S CHURCH, Perth. A truly historic chuch situated in the pedestrain area of Perth. Is well known for its choir that dates from the 15th century and a the tower was built in 1511. The most famous event? That was the Reformation in Scotland and John Knox’s preaching at this church in 1559. After the Reformation the Kirk divided into three. These three divisions remained until after the first world war.
	FERGUSSON GALLERY, Marshall Place, is a superb former Perth Waterworks that in 1992 was converted to an art gallery. It is a very special gallery as is displays the world's largest collection of work by the celebrated Scottish artist, John Duncan Fergusson. Within this wonderful historic building there are three modern, relaxing galleries that contain many fine examples of Fergusson's paintings, drawings and sculpture.
	BALHOUSIE CASTLE, Hay Street was designed by David Smart and is basically a mansion built circa 1862, for the Earl of Kinnoull. The entrance is located in the tower. Take a short walk to the east façade, that overlooks the North Inch. There one can make out the original castle that dates to the 12th Century. You can also see the turnpike stair in all its glory. Interestly the Duke of Albany granted the Barony of Balhousie to John Eviot in 1422. The army took over the castle after World War II. Then in 1962 it became the headquarters and regimental museum of the Black Watch.
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