Perth Tourist Information and Art Attractions

JD Fergusson (1874-1961) Scottish Colourist, Fergusson Gallery Perth

Here in Perth near the banks of the River Tay, the Fergusson Gallery is the definitive site to see a collection of Scottish Colourist John Duncan Fergusson's Work.

Housed in the fine circular gallery setting of Perth's old waterworks which dates from 1832, the Fergusson Gallery opened in 1992.

Fergusson was actually born in Leith, Edinburgh in 1874. His travels to France were to be a major influence on his art. He first visited France around 1897 with fellow Scottish Colourist Samuael Peploe. Viewing work by Henri Matisse was a key influence on Fergusson's shift in style to high colours and rhythmic shapes. He met the dancer Margaret Morris in 1913, and they remained lifelong partners. Perusing Fergusson's work at the gallery here in Perth demonstrates his interest in the subject matter of dancers and Morris herself.

The Fergusson Gallery, Marshall Place, Perth, PH2 8NS. Tel. 01738 441944. (weblink right for details). Open Monday to Saturday. Admission is Free.

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Perth Museum & Art Gallery

The collection of Fergusson's work at the Fergusson Gallery isn't the only Scottish art gem in Perth. Move to the Perth Museum and Art Gallery in the centre for a breath-taking collection of Scottish and English Art.

Work by most acclaimed 19th and 20th century Scottish artists, including Edward Hornel, Bessie MacNicol, and Henry Raeburn are on display here. (see Raeburn's Portrait of Lady Elizabeth Seton Steuart of Touch dating from 1812 here at the Perth Art Gallery).

It's not just the Scottish Art that's impressive. The Perth Museum is one of the oldest local history museums in the UK, and the archive collection here, with artefacts dating back over 200 years, reflects the fact that this museum has been around for some time. The social history of Perth & Kinross is superbly explored through photography, posters and artefacts. Wartime recruitment posters for fruit pickers are just one of the treasures held here, as is the special collection of photographs by Magnus Jackson (1831-1891), a Perth photographer. Like social documents, Jackson's photographs push into the everyday, and his depictions are of inside Perth slaughterhouses, flooding of the River Tay at Perth, shop workers posing outside their shops and of the wealthy too in their own homes (unusual for the time as much work then was done in photographic studios). Some of his most interesting photographs are of domestic servants in the Perthshire area. Their faces tell various stories and Jackson lets them tell it, he is simply a kind of realist social documenter. This special Magnus Jackson photography exhibition is as fascinating as the documentaries recently released by Mitchell & Kenyon. Highly recommended viewing!

Perth Museum & Art Gallery, George Street, Perth, PH1 5LB. Tel. 01738 632488. Entry is free, open Monday to Saturday.

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Perth & the Black Watch Regiment

If there is one Scottish Regiment that many have heard of, it's the Black Watch Regiment. An interesting fact you'll discover on a visit to the museum is that the Black Watch name has drawn many recruits not just from Scotland but from elsewhere in Britain, for example numerous from Lancashire.

Without beating about the bush, this museum focuses on the pride in being part of the Black Watch Regiment, the courage and endurance of front line soldiers and the Regiment's strong links with Royalty. Prince Charles was Colonel in Chief of the Regiment from 2003 to 2006. A rather garish portrait of the 'colonel' is on display in the museum. The Regiments' close links with Royalty, particularly the Queen Mother, are given due attention throughout. At the same time artefacts (such as a Victorian stained glass window which once sat in a pub) hint at the romanticism of war and the romanticism of the regiment itself, and oral accounts from those in the front line trenches during the First World War are hard-hitting like the account by Alfred Anderson (1896-2005) from Angus. Alfred (who died at the age of 109) joined the 5th Battalion in 1914 and was invalided out in 1916 after enduring severe shrapnel wounds. He was in the Home Guard during the Second World War. Other exhibits such as the shot through kilt worn by a solder during the First World War hit home on the horrors of war.

The history of the Black Watch Regiment offers in many ways an insight into some of the history of Scotland. This regiment dates from around 1715 and was deliberately raised as part of the attack to quell the Jacobite rebellion. Recruiting Highlanders themselves (loyal ones!), the Black Watch worked to enforce laws against carrying weapons. Tartan was revived, and Black Watch members wore their own distinctive dark tartan. The Red Hackle, closely associated with the regiment and worn in bonnets, came later in 1795. It s still often worn in action. The Black Watch were there at the Boar War, the American War of Independence against Washington and more recently in Northern Ireland, Afganistan and Iraq. Exhibits in the museum take you through the Black Watch presence in all of these. You'll find little critique here of Scots in service for the British army, but that is of interest in itself.

Entry to the Black Watch Regiment Museum in Perth is free. Open May to September. The Black Watch Regimental Museum, Balhousie Castle, Hay Street, Perth, Perthshire PH1 5HR. Scotland. Tel. 0131 3108530.

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Perth Restaurants & Theatres

Set along the waterfront, Perth is one of Scotland's most attractive towns. Perth restaurant choice is superb, and the centre is well equipped with everything from budget Pizza Hut to cafe and fine dining. See the Perth Restaurants selection below for ideas.

The Bothy Restaurant & Bar, 33 Kinnoull Street, Perth PH1 5EN. Tel. 01738 449792. Traditional cuisine in an attractive contemporary setting. The Manna House, 240 High Street, Perth PH1 5QJ (near St Paul's). Tel. 01738 638142. Renowned for its homemade soups, cakes and toasties. Metzo Nova Restaurant, 33 George Street, Perth PH1 5LA. Tel. 01738 626016. A relaxed atmosphere, fine food using local Scottish seasonal produce. Children's menu available. Coffee shops and more fine dining restaurants can be found particularly around the Perth Museum and Art Gallery area near George Street.

Perth Theatre on the High Street is award winning. The cutting edge drama on offer here is some of the best in Scotland - recent plays have included Mike Leigh's Abigail's Party, Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men and Paul Hodson's Meeting Joe Strummer which follows the lives of two young men, one middle class one working class, and their transformation by their love of the Clash's Joe Strummer. This play was an Edinburgh Fringe award winner. As well as drama you've regular music events, conference facilities and cafe bars on-site. The Perth Festival takes place annually at the end of May (weblink right), with numerous events during the festival taking place at Perth Theatre. The Perth Concert hall serves as regular host to the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. checkout the Perth Theatre weblink right for bookings and forthcoming programme.

Perth Concert Hall, Mill Street, Perth PH1 5HZ. Perth Theatre, 185 High Street, Perth PH1 5UW. Tel. 0845

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