The ancient capital of Scotland, where kings were crowned at Scone, and where the Stone of Destiny can now be seen in the city’s new museum.
Perth, on the banks of the River Tay, is often called the ancient capital of Scotland. Nearby Scone was where the kings of Scotland were crowned for centuries, seated on the Stone of Destiny. Perth was once one of the most important towns in the country, and it regained its city status in 2012.
Today Perth is a handsome, friendly city with parks along the river, a new museum and the beautiful countryside of Perthshire all around, known as Big Tree Country for its ancient forests. This guide covers six things to see and do.
1. Scone Palace
Scone Palace, just north of Perth, stands on one of the most important historic sites in Scotland. For centuries, the kings of Scotland were crowned on Moot Hill, beside the palace, seated on the Stone of Destiny. Robert the Bruce was crowned here in 1306.
The present palace was built in the early nineteenth century, and it is the home of the Earls of Mansfield. Its rooms are full of fine furniture, porcelain and paintings. The palace tells the story of Scone and its royal history.
On Moot Hill stands a small chapel and a replica of the Stone of Destiny, marking the spot where the kings were crowned. The grounds have beautiful gardens, woodland and a maze shaped like a star. Peacocks roam the lawns.
Scone Palace is open for much of the year. The grounds are lovely for a walk, and there is a café. Allow a couple of hours.
2. Perth Museum and the Stone of Destiny
Perth Museum, which opened in 2024 in the grand former City Hall, is the new home of the Stone of Destiny. The stone, also known as the Stone of Scone, is a block of sandstone on which the kings of Scotland were crowned. In 1296, King Edward I of England took it to Westminster Abbey, where it was built into the coronation chair.
The stone stayed in London for seven hundred years, and it was used in the coronations of English and British monarchs. In 1996 it was returned to Scotland, and it was displayed at Edinburgh Castle before moving to Perth. It still travels to Westminster Abbey for coronations.
The museum tells the story of the stone and of Perth, with treasures from the city’s long history. It is a fascinating visit. Entry has been free, with timed tickets to see the stone.
The Fergusson Gallery, in a former waterworks by the river, has the largest collection of work by the Scottish Colourist painter J.D. Fergusson. St John’s Kirk, in the city centre, is where John Knox preached a famous sermon in 1559 that sparked the Reformation in Scotland. Both are worth a visit.
3. The Black Watch Castle and Museum
The Black Watch Castle and Museum, in Balhousie Castle on the edge of the North Inch, tells the story of the Black Watch, one of the most famous regiments in the British Army. The regiment was raised in the early eighteenth century to keep watch over the Highlands. Its dark tartan gave it its name.
The museum tells the story of the regiment through the centuries, from its early days to recent conflicts. There are uniforms, weapons, medals and personal stories. It is a moving and fascinating visit.
The castle itself is a striking building with turrets. It has a café and a shop. The museum is popular with families.
The museum is a short walk from the city centre, along the river. Allow a couple of hours. It combines well with a walk on the North Inch.
4. The North Inch and the River Tay
The North Inch is a large park beside the River Tay, just north of the city centre. It is a lovely place for a walk, with wide open grassland and views of the river. It has been a public space for centuries.
In 1396, the North Inch was the site of the Battle of the Clans, a famous fight between two Highland clans, watched by the king. It is one of the strangest stories in Scottish history. Today the park is peaceful, used for walking, sport and events.
The South Inch, on the other side of the city centre, is another large park. The River Tay, the longest river in Scotland, runs past both. It is famous for its salmon fishing.
Riverside paths run along the Tay, and they make a lovely walk. The city centre has a good mix of independent shops, cafés and restaurants. Perth Concert Hall and Perth Theatre host shows through the year.
5. Kinnoull Hill
Kinnoull Hill, just east of the city across the Tay, is a wooded hill with dramatic cliffs on its southern side. A path leads through the woods to the top. From there, the views over the Tay valley and the surrounding countryside are wonderful.
On the edge of the cliff stands Kinnoull Tower, a folly built in the eighteenth century to look like the castles on the Rhine. It is a striking sight. The hill is part of a woodland park with several walks.
The walk to the top takes about half an hour from the car park. The views are especially lovely at sunset. The paths near the cliff edge should be followed with care.
Branklyn Garden, on the lower slopes of the hill, is a lovely garden looked after by the National Trust for Scotland. It has rare plants from around the world. It is a peaceful place to visit.
6. Big Tree Country
Perthshire is known as Big Tree Country, because it has some of the tallest and oldest trees in Britain. The Hermitage, near Dunkeld about twenty five minutes north of Perth, has towering Douglas firs, a waterfall and a Georgian folly called Ossian’s Hall. It is one of the most beautiful walks in Scotland.
Dunkeld has a ruined cathedral beside the River Tay, and pretty streets. Across the river, Birnam has the Birnam Oak, said to be the last survivor of the Birnam Wood mentioned in Shakespeare’s Macbeth. The Fortingall Yew, further west, is one of the oldest trees in Europe.
Pitlochry, about forty minutes north, is a Victorian holiday town with a dam and a fish ladder where you can watch salmon leap. It has a famous theatre and distilleries. Gleneagles, famous for its golf, is about twenty minutes south west.
Perthshire’s countryside is best explored by car. A driver for the day lets you see the forests, lochs and towns without worrying about the roads.
Getting there and getting around
Perth station has trains to Edinburgh in around an hour and a quarter, to Glasgow in around an hour, and to Inverness and Dundee. The Caledonian Sleeper also stops at Perth.
Edinburgh Airport is about forty five minutes by road, and Glasgow Airport about an hour. The M90 and A9 meet near the city. A car booked ahead is the easiest way to travel between Perth and the airports, and to explore Perthshire.
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