Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust News

Conserving, enhancing and promoting the historic environment of Perth and Kinross.

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Mindful to Maintain: Great turn out for Perth’s second Property Repair Seminar

Home owners and prospective owners of pre-1919 historic buildings enjoyed a relaxed and informative evening of short talks and Q&A on maintaining and repairing historic buildings in Perth’s Civic Chamber on 13 November. This was the second free event of this kind to be offered by Perth Solicitor’s Property Centre (PSPC) and Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust this year and was well attended with around 45 people turning out to hear key guidance on maintaining the condition and value of historic properties.

Buildings constructed before 1919 are full of traditional features that make them great places to live. Such character also brings specific needs and requirements when it comes to their maintenance and repair which many home owners find challenging to address through lack of appropriate information and the costs involved. Industry professionals spoke to a packed room at the first property repair seminar in March demonstrating a clear need for accessible advice on historic building issues.

The evening was chaired by Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust and began with Annie Flint from Under One Roof who introduced the audience to a wealth of online accessible information on maintaining and repairing historic homes, especially those in multiple ownership such as tenements. Specialist talks followed from Graham Mitchell of @rchitects Scotland Ltd on the benefits of involving a conservation professional when undertaking repair projects, John McRitchie of Perth College UHI, on timber window maintenance, and Paul Higginson of Arc Architects Ltd on key repair issues that can be encountered.

The presentations were illustrated using examples of completed building repair projects in Perth City Centre offering the audience tangible evidence of the beneficial outcomes to arise from repairs employing best conservation practice. The evening was concluded by Sara Carruthers of Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust who introduced the Perth City Heritage Fund’s latest phase of grand assistance for home owners looking to repair their historic buildings which has become available this year.

For those who missed the seminar but would like to know more, the presentation slides can be downloaded from www.pkht.org.uk/resources /downloads. Historic Environment Scotland’s excellent series of Inform guides, Short guides and Technical advice notes can be downloaded (www.engineshed.scot), ordered in hard copy, or picked up for free from The Engine Shed in Stirling. More information on available funding for historic building repairs via the Perth City Heritage Fund, the Home Energy Efficiency Programme for Scotland (HEEPS) Equity Loan Scheme, or Perth and Kinross Council initiatives can be found at www.pkht.org.uk/pchf.

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Funding for Perth City Heritage Fund Phase 3 Confirmed

Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has announced that their support of the Perth City Heritage Fund will continue for the next three years. This exciting news allows the Trust to launch a third phase of the scheme bringing £750,000 of Scottish Government investment to Perth to assist with conserving and repairing historic buildings.

The main focus of phase 3 will be to offer grant-assistance to historic building owners with repairs in accordance with best conservation practice. This will build on the positive partnership working with Perth and Kinross Council developed in the earlier phases of the scheme where particular success has been achieved in tenement repairs. Here, support, guidance and funding to Owners' Associations has enabled a number of key listed tenements to be transformed through communal repair schemes. 

PCHF manager Sara Carruthers explained:

“We have three themes for targeting the fund: Comprehensive repairs to historic tenements in multiple ownership; Repairs to historic buildings used or owned by local charities; and unused or under-used historic buildings, possibly in single ownership, being brought back into use.” 

The scheme will operate between 2018 and 2021 with grants available for eligible works to historic buildings within the Perth Central and Kinnoull Conservation Areas.

“The grant themes are intended to focus the scheme’s efforts and maximise the regenerative impact of the funding from HES to bring both social and economic benefit to the city and its environs. Owners who are unsure if their building is eligible shouldn’t be deterred from getting in touch. We encourage enquiries as early as possible to ensure that the proposed works are eligible. We’ll consider large and small projects which meet the principle objectives of the scheme and the funding criteria.”

Educational and training projects will also be run to raise awareness of the importance of appropriate repairs using traditional materials and the skills associated with carrying them out. This will include the return of the popular traditional building skills roadshow that has taken place on King Edward Street in September for the past two years. This event offers secondary school pupils at career choice stages and members of the public the opportunity to try their hands at traditional crafts.

“We’re delighted to be continuing to work with Historic Environment Scotland and entering a third phase delivering the Perth City Heritage Fund. We look forward to grant assisting owners with conservation and repairs to their buildings and improving the city centre streetscape, the condition of people’s homes and enhancing the economic vibrancy of the city.” 

                                                                             PKHT Chairman Sue Hendry

HES CEO Alex Paterson joined PKHT Chairman Sue Hendry and PCHF manager Sara Carruthers to announce the funding outside the nearly completed Phase 2 grant-assisted property 31b-37 High Street. Business owner, grantee & chairman of 31b-37 High Street owners’ association Derek Paterson joined them for the occasion to celebrate the achievements of the previous two phases which have drawn in a total investment of over £2.5 million to the conservation and repair of Perth's historic buildings.

PCHF awarded two grants to revitalise the late 18th century tenement of 31b-37 High Street.  A grant of £159,000 was awarded to the High Street Owners’ Association in 2017 to help meet the costs of a common repairs scheme using traditional materials in accordance with best conservation practice and an environmental enhancement grant of £20,000 towards the cost of a reordered shopfront has enabled Derek to expand his business into the vacant shop next-door increasing its retail and workshop space and bringing the whole ground floor of this prominent High Street location back in to use.

Sara and the Perth City Heritage Fund team are now inviting expressions of interest for phase 3 and prospective applicants are encouraged to make contact with the Trust through the contact us page on the website or by calling 01738 477093. You can find out more about PCHF at: www.pkht.org.uk/pchf

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FINAL PKHT HISTORIC BUILDING’S GRANT PRESENTED

The 19th century Category B listed Roman Catholic Church of St Stephen’s was in need of extensive roof repairs and became the 329th and final recipient of financial assistance from Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust through our Historic Building Grants Scheme. The Trust offered the Parish our maximum award of £5000 at the beginning of their fundraising campaign and we’ve been delighted that our support has helped the parish access further grants to supplement their own fundraising efforts to meet the cost of the £427,000 project.

“the Trust’s Historic Building Grants Scheme has been an incredibly successful initiative that has helped safeguard nationally significant historic buildings right across Perth and Kinross. We’re very proud to have been able to assist individuals, groups and organisations such as the congregation of St Stephen’s in their efforts to continue using, maintaining and enjoying their historic buildings and commend them on the hard work in both fundraising and seeing the project through to completion.”

                                                                        Sue Hendry (PKHT Chairman)

On behalf of St. Stephen’s R C Church, Fr Gregory Umunna, the parish priest expressed his gratitude to Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust for their kind and generous donation and said that:

‘‘The renovation work of St. Stephen’s Church will help preserve an important piece of local heritage for many more years, St Stephen’s having been designed by celebrated ecclesiastical architect Edward W Pugin. For the local Catholic congregation, their daily worship will take place in a building warm, appropriately lit and structurally sound – fit for the 21st century community and beyond.”

St Stephen’s Church was designed by Edward Welby Pugin, a member of the Pugin architectural dynasty whose family architectural practice was at the forefront of the Victorian Gothic Revival. Their legacy includes the Houses of Parliament and many famous ecclesiastical buildings: St Stephen’s was the first of his four Scottish churches. The Church will also host the inaugural EW Pugin Lecture later this year to celebrate the restoration of the church building designed by this famous architect.  Dr Gerald Hyland of the Pugin Society will deliver the lecture and will highlight the importance of the Gothic revival in EW Pugin’s design.

The project has been designed and managed by James F Stephens and Partners of Glamis with the work being carried out by George Martin Builders Ltd of Dundee.

Doug Reid, Partner and Senior Chartered Conservation Architect with James F Stephens Architects commented 

“funding of straightforward conservation and repair projects such as at St Stephen’s RC Church is always difficult to achieve and the Trust’s award of a Historic Building Grant has been exceptionally important in ensuring that all of the essential and urgent traditional repairs required to return this Category B Listed Building to a structurally sound, wind and watertight condition could be undertaken in a single stage contract. Progress of the roof repair works has been hampered by adverse weather conditions, however, completion is targeted towards the end of April with the church reopening in May”.

Since we started in 1988, Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust has provided over £1.2 million of grant aid to conserve over 500 significant historic buildings across Perth and Kinross. These grants have supported conservation work ranging from traditional sash and case window repairs to much larger projects such as the Royal Scottish Geographical Society’s relocation to the Fair Maids House in Perth. Recently completed projects have included roof repairs to Tibbermore Church, the picturesque Perthshire Outlander filming location, and chimney repairs to a row of mill workers cottages in Auchterarder.

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Standing room only at Perth’s first Property Repair Seminar

Home owners and prospective owners of pre-1919 historic buildings packed in to the ball room of the Royal George Hotel earlier this month as Perth Solicitor’s Property Centre hosted Perth’s first ever property repair seminar. Solicitors, architects, estate agents and surveyors from across Perth and Kinross were also in attendance to hear building conservation industry professionals offer guidance and answer questions to a full room of around 70 people on topics ranging from organising comprehensive repairs to retaining and maintaining traditional windows. Buildings constructed before 1919 are full of traditional features that make them great places to live. Such character also brings specific needs and requirements when it comes to the maintenance and repair of historic buildings. The evening of short talks and Q&A was chaired by Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust and offered key introductory level guidance on how to maintain the condition and value of a historic property.

The seminar began with guidance talks from Simon Roberts from the Scottish Government, Annie Flint from Under One Roof and Colin Tennant from Historic Environment Scotland who introduced the audience to a wealth of online accessible information on maintaining and repairing historic homes. Specialist talks followed from Colin Tennant on the importance of stone matching, John McKinney, National Federation of Roofing Contractors, on roof repairs and John McRitchie, Perth College UHI, on traditional window maintenance. The evening was concluded by Sara Carruthers of Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust who offered examples of recent comprehensive repair projects, supported by the Perth City Heritage Fund, where home owners have put the theory into practice to great effect.

For those who missed the seminar but would like to know more, the slides can be downloaded from www.pkht.org.uk/resources /downloads. Historic Environment Scotland’s excellent series of Inform guides, Short guides and Technical advice notes can be downloaded (see links), ordered in hard copy, or picked up for free from The Engine Shed in Stirling. 

If you’re interested in learning more about matters concerning traditional building, we’re running a six part CPD programme in architectural conservation beginning in April 2018. More details can be found at: www.architcpd.eventbrite.co.uk.

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EVIDENCE OF EARLY HISTORIC METAL WORKING FOUND AT KING’S SEAT, DUNKELD!

This September marked the first season of excavations in an exciting three year project investigating the hillfort of King’s Seat, above Dunkeld. Over 70 volunteers and local school pupils joined Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust, Dunkeld and Birnam Historical Society and professional archaeologists from AOC Archaeology Ltd to unearth an impressive assemblage of early historic metalworking artefacts and possible slingshot ammunition.

The King’s Seat Hillfort Archaeology Project offers volunteers from the local and wider community, including local primary and secondary schools, the opportunity to help professional archaeologists uncover the history of this enigmatic hill top site whilst receiving training in archaeological skills. The project is a partnership between Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust (PKHT) and the Dunkeld and Birnam Historical Society (DBHS) supported by professional archaeological contractors AOC Archaeology Ltd and funded by Heritage Lottery, the Gannochy Trust, and Scottish & Southern Electric’s Griffin and Calliacher Windfarm Community Fund.

King’s Seat hillfort is located to the north of Dunkeld on a major bend in the river Tay and has long been inaccessible due to rhododendron growth over the summit. However, thanks to a gargantuan effort from DBHS volunteers in 2016, the summit of King’s Seat is now free from vegetation, meaning that the fort can to be visited, appreciated and excavated.

The fort’s defences surround a central ‘citadel’ enclosure measuring about 35m x 25m, situated at the summit of the hill with a cascading series of ramparts below that enclose a flight of lower terraces.

The first season of excavations at King’s Seat took place in September with 39 volunteers and 35 primary and secondary school pupils climbing the steep slopes of the hill to help with the dig over the two week duration. Four trenches were opened this year: Trench 1 – located over a series of terrace steps down the west side of the summit; Trench 2 – over a large mound situated at the highest point of the hill adjacent to a large glacial erratic boulder; Trench 3 – positioned over what looked to be the end of the summit rampart next to a possible entranceway; and Trench 4 – looking at the flat area enclosed by the rampart surrounding the summit of the hill.

The excavations revealed that the rhododendron growth on the summit of the hill and remodelling of some of the lower banks by the Atholl Estate in the Victorian period has had a significant impact on the condition of the shallow archaeological deposits. Despite these challenges there have been some very important and interesting discoveries:

The enclosing rampart walls and banks of the hillfort were found to have different constructions with the lower terrace walls being made of earth and large stone boulders whilst the the summit enclosure forming a more coherent formal wall with inner and outer faces. This variation in construction suggests that the site has had different phases of activity in the past;

The bedrock of the upper area of the summit looks to have been clear of soil in the past with interesting slot features found cut into the rock.

“Comparisons can be drawn between the holes drilled into the rock on King’s Seat and St Fillan’s Chair on Dundurn near Loch Earn, where a wide ledge was sculpted from an outcrop to form a sort of rock seat. The lead archaeologist working on Dundurn theorised that this ‘seat’ could have been an inauguration seat for the rulers of Strathearn. The features at King’s Seat could have served a similar purpose.” Cathy MacIver, AOC Archaeology Ltd

Finds of animal bones, claws and horns indicate animals were being processed on the site, which could have been for domestic purposes, feasting or related to craft activities taking place.

The big discoveries that have the archaeologists really excited are the metal working waste, crucible fragments and stone moulds which indicate that precious metal working was taking place on the site. Two of the moulds are mirror shaped and are similar to examples found at Portmahomack, Tarbat and Garranes, Ireland.

“one of the reasons we’re so excited about these moulds is that their shape is characteristic of metalworking in the early historic, or Pictish period (c.600-900 AD). So whilst we wait for the radio carbon dates to come back from the lab, finds like these can help us work out when the activity at King’s Seat was taking place.” Gavin Lindsay, PKHT Outreach Officer

A cache of small rounded stones was found near the large rocky outcrop on the summit which may have been collected for using as slingshots. The stones found at King’s Seat look similar to stones with similar form and dimensions that have been identified at a number of hillfort sites across the UK.

When considered together, the material culture recovered from King’s Seat is hugely important and clearly indicates in situ activity on the site. While it seems obvious to the modern archaeologist that some sort of elite would have controlled, if not occupied hillfort sites, it is still rare for such sites to produce such a wealth of evidence. The fact evidence for metal working was identified in every trench certainly suggests that the site was hugely important in the production of prestige metalwork and, similarly to important high status early historic hillforts such as Dunadd and Dundurn, may have been a centre of production. Dundurn, Dunadd and King’s Seat all share similar characteristics including topographic location, working and utilisation of exposed bedrock outcrops.

 The findings from this year’s excavations are now available in the Data Structure Report which can be viewed and downloaded on the King's Seat Project page.

The team will be back digging at King’s Seat in September 2018 with a living history event in Dunkeld and guided walks to the site also being planned for Scottish Archaeology Month. If you would like to find out more about the project, the discoveries from this year’s dig, the placename survey that’s been completed or about volunteering on next year’s dig then log on to www.pkht.org/projects/kings-seat.

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Flying the Flag for Traditional Building Skills!

As active members of the Fife and Tayside Traditional Buildings Forum,  the Trust was proud to attend a reception at the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh this month. The evening was hosted by Gordon Lindhurst MSP and organised to celebrate and recognise the valuable contribution made by the Scottish Traditional Building Forums to successfully raising awareness of traditional building skills in Scotland.

Our  Historic Buildings Development Officer Sara Carruthers represented the Trust and was accompanied by Martin Richardson of TJ Ross Joiners Ltd as well as pupils and teachers from St John’s Academy who had participated in the Perth Traditional Building Skills event held on King Edward’s Street in September. PKHT have run two of these events in Perth now as part of the Perth City Heritage Fund outreach programme. Other members of the Fife and Tayside Traditional Buildings Forum were also present, as were schools and forum members from similar skills events delivered elsewhere in Scotland.

Raising awareness of traditional buildings skills and offering young people training opportunities are two of the Trust’s core strategic aims and it was a  pleasure to present the work we’ve been doing in Perth and Kinross to MSPs and share this special evening with colleagues from across Scotland.

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“We’ve got room for one more!” - New Trustee wanted.

PKHT is looking to appoint a new addition to our Board of Trustees: an opportunity to help us preserve, enhance and increase understanding of the archaeological and architectural heritage of Perth and Kinross.

Information about the appointment and details of how to apply can be found on  the Trust website or by clicking on the link below.

PKHT Trustee Appointment Details

Application is by covering letter and CV. The closing date for applications is noon on Thursday 21 December 2017.

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We're recruiting!

The Trust is looking to appoint a Management Accountant on a part-time, permanent basis to providing day-to-day accounting, HR and office support to the Trust. 

The job advert, description and person specification are available through the link below.

More Details and Apply Here

Application is by covering letter and CV. The closing date for applications is Friday 24 November 2017.  CV’s should be no more than 2 sides of A4.              

We hope to interview on the 1st December 2017.

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We’re excited to announce the release of our new strategic plan which sets out our vision, values and priorities for the next 5 years.

In late 2016 the Trust began an organisational review with Jura Consultants, supported by Heritage Lottery Fund Transition funding to explore both our current business model and our operational setup. This results of this review have come together to form our new strategic plan which will help drive how we develop and deliver our core activities and services over the next 5 years.

Our emphasis has always been, and continues to be, on delivering high-quality restoration, conservation and learning projects that provide real social, educational and economic benefit whilst helping to secure a future for Perth and Kinross’s historic environment.

We are dedicated to seeing our historic environment creating benefits for communities through active participation in projects that enhance heritage assets, deepen our understanding of the past and its remains, whilst creating benefits through participation for residents and visitors. We want historic properties and areas across Perth and Kinross to be active, vibrant places which create employment, provide facilities for activities, whilst providing a positive, inspiring setting for daily life.

Whether you have known the Trust for years or just come across us, we invite you to take a look at our Strategic Plan and share our excitement about the future of the Trust and our vision for Perth and Kinross’s remarkable Historic Environment.

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Perth Traditional Building Skills Event Success!

Working in close partnership with the Fife and Tayside Traditional Buildings Forum, we held our second two-day Traditional Buildings Skills event on King Edward Street in Perth. The event is intended to raise awareness of Scotland’s fantastic traditional buildings and the specialist skills needed to keep them in good repair through demonstrations and opportunities for people to have a go at traditional building skills. This year we had demonstrations by specialists in stonemasonry (Historic Environment Scotland [HES]), specialist joinery (TJ Ross Ltd & Perth College UHI), roof slating (Dundee & Angus College & Braisby Roofing), and  painting and decorating (Ross Hastie-independent signwriter).  Information and guidance was provided to homeowners interested in repairing and maintaining their buildings by representatives from HES, Perth and Kinross Council and PKHT. Construction careers advice was also available from Balfour Beatty’s Community Investment Manager.

Inspiring future generations through skills from the past is a major focus of this event, reflecting the core strategic objectives of the Trust. Secondary school pupils from Crieff & Perth High Schools, Breadalbane, St. John’s & Perth Academies, and Perth Grammar School attended half-day sessions where they got to try each of the skills in turn. These pupils are beginning to think about their career choices, so giving them these opportunities at this stage is really important in helping them consider and realise the potential of less well known practical career options.

The event was well attended and attracted a lot of interest from the passing public. We were also delighted to welcome local MSP Murdo Fraser and Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Roseanna Cunningham MSP. Peter Wishart MP also came along expressing great interest in what was happening and tried his hand at the trades.

The local press were also out with a particularly nice feature being published in The Courier.

The event was a collaboration between Perth & Kinross Heritage Trust, Perth City Heritage Fund, Perth and Kinross Council, Dundee & Angus College, Historic Environment Scotland, T J Ross Ltd, Ross Hastie Signs, University of the Highlands and Islands Perth College, National Federation of Roofing Contractors, Scottish Contractors Group, Construction Industry Training Board and Stone Federation GB and Balfour Beatty.

All images © George Logan

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Download our latest annual report for an exciting round-up of the past year!

How time flies when you’re having fun and what a bumper year it has been for Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust! Check out the the latest instalment of the PKHT story and get caught up on the news from our exciting suite of projects.

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Changing of the Guard at PKHT

This week we say goodbye to our Heritage Officer Sarah Malone. Sarah has been with the Trust for an incredible 6 years and has been a valuable member of our small team, efficiently and professionally delivering our archaeology planning service,  and most recently taking a lead in the development and delivery of the King’s Seat Community Archaeology Project. We all wish Sarah and her family the very best for the future as they move back to Ireland. Good luck Sarah, we’ll miss you!

As one Sarah departs, another arrives as Sarah Winlow returns to temporarily fill the position of Heritage Officer. Welcome back Sarah, look forward to working with you again!

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Doors Open Days 2017 Programme Out Now!

It’s that very exciting time of year again – one month to go until Doors Open Days and we’re proud to announce the release of the 2017 programme.

This year Doors Open Days in Perth and Kinross is bigger than ever before being split across the first three weekends in September. Thanks to the continued generous support of the Gannochy Trust, this year’s programme is packed with 52 interesting venues participating over 5 geographical areas, over ten of which are opening for the first time:

Saturday 2nd & Sunday 3rd: Kinross-shire and Strathearn

Saturday 9th & 10th: Highland and Eastern Perthshire

Saturday 16th & Sunday 17th: Perth City

Doors Open Days is Scotland’s largest free festival celebrating heritage and the built environment. This annual event gives you and your family the opportunity to visit historic, civic and interesting buildings not usually open to the public, all for free.

Today boxes of the programme brochure are winging their way to libraries, museums and visitor information centres across Perth and Kinross where they’ll be available to pick-up from Monday (7th August). If you can’t wait then you can download a digital copy right here at the Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust website.

Some events require booking, including the guided tours of Perth Transport Futures, Binn Farm, Gleneagles House, HMP Castle Huntly and the Fire Stations, so check the programme and book early to avoid disappointment! All reservations should be made through www.EventBrite.com.

Programme listings for all of Scotland are also available on the national Doors Open Days website www.doorsopendays.org.uk.

Look out for the blue banners and balloons marking the open venues and enjoy Doors Open Days!

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Volunteer with PKHT and Unlock the Hidden Secrets of King’s Seat Hillfort, Dunkeld!

We’re delighted to announce the launch of Perthshire’s latest community archaeology project. The King’s Seat Hillfort Community Archaeology Project is an exciting new venture that we’re embarking on in partnership with Dunkeld and Birnam Historical Society to find out more about this curiously named hill to the east of Dunkeld.

Project Background

Known as 'The Fort of the Caledonians', the hillfort of King’s Seat is situated on a prominent hill on a major bend in the River Tay. With such a dominating position in Strath Tay, King's Seat is not just a dramatic geographical feature in the landscape but a fascinating choice of location for human activity in the past. 

PKHT was approached in November 2015 by members of the Dunkeld and Birnam community who were concerned about the lack of access to the top of their local hill fort, and the impact that dense rhododendron and tree cover was having on the condition of the archaeological site. Initial vegetation removal by volunteers in 2016 revealed features that have been hidden secrets until now such as a large outcrop of rock which may offer a clue to the naming of the hill.

The King’s Seat Hillfort Community Archaeology Project is managed by out Heritage Officer Sarah Malone and is a Citizen-science project funded by Heritage Lottery, the Gannochy Trust, and Scottish & Southern Electric Community Fund. It is an exciting opportunity for professional archaeologists to work alongside volunteers and students to archaeologically excavate a portion of the hillfort to better understand the impact that vegetation is having and increase knowledge of this mysterious, unstudied site.

Get Involved

We have a variety of interesting opportunities for anyone from the local community interested in volunteering with the project

Even if digging isn’t your thing, there’s topographic survey to get involved in plus archival research and the chance to participate in place-name research. Here we’re hoping to help reveal more about the intangible heritage of the hillfort and its surrounding environs.

Local schools are involved with classroom-based lessons and site-based skills workshops already scheduled for September 2017. It’s also hoped that the imaginative work produced by pupils can be incorporated into interpretation materials.

The project will be running for three years with the first spades breaking turf this September for a two week excavation (7-19 September 2017).

If you’re interested in getting involved in the project then log-on and sign-up at www.pkht.org.uk/projects/kings-seat to express your interest. Guided walks and site tours will be taking place throughout this period, more information is available in our Perth and Kinross Archaeology Year Programme.

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Perth City Heritage Fund Supported Commemorative Plaque Unveiled

The Trust have been pleased to help the Black Watch Association commemorate the former site of the Queen’s Barracks with a small grant from the Perth City Heritage Fund.  The memorial was unveiled in June by Mrs Georgiana Osborne, President of The Black Watch Association and Brigadier Mel Jameson, Lord Lieutenant of Perth and Kinross. Information about the historic barracks, with fascinating photos of the substantial buildings and regiment, can be seen on the information panel sited at the north end of Caledonian Road opposite Perth Police Station.

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Download and get stuck in to the historic environment with over 100 events between April and October.

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Click on the image to see more photographs of the work undertaken.

We’re delighted to announce that the trident of the Britannia statue atop the Old Academy in Rose Street, Perth has been reinstated thanks to financial support through the Perth City Heritage Fund.

The Old Academy was built between 1803 and 1807 as the Public Seminaries to house Perth Grammar and Perth Academy together in a suitable new building. Robert Reid, the Architect (1774-1856) was the principal Government architect in Scotland in the first half of the 19th Century and designed many important government buildings of the period. The building was always intended to be topped by sculpture, but the statue of Britannia with a lion was only added in 1886 and was sculpted by William Birnie Rhind  ARSA, RSA  (1853-1933).

The owners of the Category A listed building were offered a grant from the PCHF to assist with the cost of essential repair work to the leadwork and balustrade and to conserve the statue. The roof repairs were carried out by Ardle Construction Ltd in late 2015, a Perthshire contractor who are specialists in repairing historic buildings using traditional building skills and materials. The conservation of the statue was carried out by sculpture restoration and conservation expert Graciella Ainsworth.  Csilla Karsay modelled the trident prior to the aluminium casting, then once the metal was primed with two layers of undercoat and two layers of yellow primer, she and Ellie King applied two layers of extra thick oil gilding.

After more than half a century of absence, Britannia once more pierces the Perth skyline with a resplendent new trident. Graciella and her team’s fine work can best be appreciated from the North Inch on a clear day as the sun reflects off the gilding.