Back to the River

Today, seeing as our wheels were getting dealt with, we decided to do a walking tour of Perth.

From Bridgend...

...down the east bank of the Tay and along the Perth Sculpture Trail...

...past the Heather Collection near Rodney Gardens....

...and over the railway bridge...

...to Moncrieff Island.
And then back again along the west bank of the river and through town.

And learn a bit too.

The first settlement here is likely to have started in the late 10th century AD, with buildings growing up along the west bank of the River Tay (what became known as Watergate) and beside the route to the crossing point of the river (now High Street).  The settlement developed around St John's Kirk, which was at the heart of the early town, and also gave Perth it's other name - St John's Town, which lives on in the name of the local football team St Johnston FC.

St John's Kirk

King David I made Perth a Royal Burgh in the 12th century AD.  The presence of Scone Abbey, home of the Stone of Destiny (rightfully known as the stone of Scone) where the King of Scots was crowned, enhanced the early importance of the city and Perth became known as a 'capital' of Scotland due to the frequent residence of the royal court.  Its location on the River Tay, and at the heart of the fertile valleys of Strathearn and Strathmore, led to rapid growth trading agricultural exports and importing goods from areas including France, Spain, the Low Countries and the Baltic region, and the burgh became one of the richest in the country. These goods entered and left Perth through the harbour, which was originally located adjacent to the town centre.  Perth was perfectly placed to become a key transport centre with the coming of the railways too, and its first station was built in 1848.  Today, Perth serves as a retail centre for the surrounding area and is often referred to as the "Gateway to the Highlands".

It's been years since I've walked along the bank of the river or done any exploring here, and though the weather wasn't so bright or warm as it had been, it was lovely to get out and about... and of course stop at the duckpond on the way home.