History Tour of Perth

Perth was looking its best for the History Tours organised by President Beverley Callander and led by fellow Rotarian Robert Macduff-Duncan.  The tour started at the Albert Memorial on Charlotte Street where we heard about the influence of Sir Walter Scott, the Battle of the Clans, Provost Marshall’s House and the Statue of Albert himself.  At the Fair Maid’s House we learned about the city layout, its preponderance of monasteries as well as the homes and lives of some of Perth’s founding and aristocratic families.  We heard of the city’s royal standing and the murder of James I at the site of the pub which now bears his name.  Standing outside Pullar House we enjoyed anecdotes of Perth families and their commercial success in making Perth an important centre for whisky, textiles, and insurance, including Sir Francis Norie-Miller, a founder member and the first President of the Rotary Club of Perth. The tour finished in front of St John’s Kirk where John Knox’s sermon in 1559 roused the population to riot and the Scottish Reformation began. 

Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the tour having learned more about our own city, recognising names and places in a different way.  Many thanks are due to Robert for his clear and highly entertaining synopsis of the rich and long history of Perth.