Perth

PERTH MUSEUM

The museum opened in 2024 in the former Edwardian City Hall building. Its most significant object is the Stone of Scone, or Stone of Destiny, which has returned to Perthshire for the first time in 700 years.

The Stone was used in the inauguration of Scottish monarchs in nearby Scone and was most recently used in the coronation of King Charles III in 2023. It is free to view, as are the museum's permanent galleries. 

The museum also displays a wide range of objects from Perth & Kinross' history as well as loans and temporary exhibitions.

Items of particular interest include a 3000-year-old longboat, a rare 17th century padded silk jacket, an eighth century Pictish carved stone, and a fragment from the largest meteorite ever recorded in Scotland.

There is also a cafe on site.

SCONE PALACE

Known as the Palace of Kings, the site was the crowning place of Scottish Kings prior to the present Palace's construction. This is the location where Macbeth, Robert the Bruce and Charles II, amongst others, were crowned.

The present day building dates from 1808. The interior of the palace is open, together with 100 acres of gardens and woodland walks. 

It is possible to buy a ticket for the palace and gardens, or the gardens only. There is also a coffee shop on site. 

The palace is 5-10 minutes' bus journey from the centre of Perth, plus 15 minutes' walk from the end of the drive.

See Stagecoach services 3 and 58 (within Perth PlusBus ticket zone). Alight at stop 'Scone, Palace' and walk up Queen's Drive.

PERTH ART GALLERY

The gallery is situated in a magnificent landmark building which is one of the oldest purpose-built museum buildings in the UK.

It houses permanent exhibitions on influential Scottish artists of the 20th and 21st centuries, as well as 16th and 17th century European art.

The gallery is also the new home of the collection for the Scottish Colourist John Duncan Fergusson and his dancer and artist partner Margaret Morris.

Entrance is free and there is a coffee cart on site for drinks and snacks.

THE BLACK WATCH CASTLE & MUSEUM

Balhousie Castle, with its origins in the 12th century, is the ancestral home of The Black Watch. Inside, the museum covers over 300 years of the history of this significant regiment.

On display are uniforms, paintings, medals, photographs, diaries, weapons and military equipment, film and reminiscences.

There is also a bistro on site. 

SAVING! Part of the 2FOR1 entry scheme when arriving by train!

BRANKLYN GARDEN

This is said to be the finest two acres of garden in the country. It is predominantly a collection of plants from China, Tibet, Bhutan and the Himalayas. 

Seasonal highlights include the collection of primulas, alpines and rhododendrons in May and June, the magnolias and purple Japanese maple in summer, and in the autumn the garden comes to life with the fiery red acers.

There is also a tearoom on site.

The garden is 20 minutes' walk from the centre of Perth or 3 minutes' bus journey. See Stagecoach service 16 (within Perth PlusBus ticket zone). Alight at stop 'Barnhill, Branklyn Gardens'.

PERTH DISTILLERY

This gin distillery is located between Perth Museum and Perth Art Gallery in historic stable blocks once used by Queen Victoria’s horses.

Founded in 2017, they were the first spirits producer in Perth. They use locally sourced botanicals including Perthshire raspberries, and their Pink Gin won gold at the Scottish Gin Awards 2021.

KINNOULL HILL WOODLAND PARK

This woodland hillside park is close to the city centre on the east side of the river. The view from the top is spectacular looking along the River Tay.

It actually consists of five hills - Corsiehill, Deuchny Hill, Barn Hill, Binn Hill and Kinnoull Hill. There are miles of grassy paths and nature trails through fine mixed woodland of Scots pine, larch, oak, birch and Norway spruce.

Lookout for the spectacular cliffs on the south of the hill and Kinnoull Tower, a 19th century folly said to be inspired by the castles of the German Rhineland.

The park is 30 minutes' walk from the centre of Perth or 10 minutes' bus journey.

See Stagecoach service 11 the Kinnoull Hill circular which passes close to the entrance (within Perth PlusBus ticket zone). Alight at stop 'Kinnoull, Hatton Way' and make you way up Corsie Hill Road.

PERTH LEISURE POOL

This centrally located facility near the train station has a training pool, leisure pool with flumes and water features, sauna and steam room.

HUNTINGTOWER CASTLE

This castle is on the outskirts of Perth. Consisting of two towers built in the 15th and 16th centuries, the castle was known as the house of Ruthven.

Highlights include a 16th century painted ceiling and the maiden's leap - a 9 foot gap between the top of the two towers. This is named after a daughter of the Ruthvens, Dorothea, who jumped over it while fleeing from her mother after being discovered visiting her fiancé in the other tower. 

The castle has had many famous visitors including Mary Queen of Scots who took her honeymoon here in 1565.

The castle is 15-20 minutes' bus journey plus a few minutes' walk. See Stagecoach services 14, 14A, 15, 15A (unfortunately not within Perth PlusBus ticket zone).

Alight at stop 'East Huntingtower, Castle Brae' and walk up Castle Brae. You will be glad you went by bus when you see the parking arrangements!

SAVING! You can get 25% off entry when you arrive car-free (book online with code GOOD25 and show your bus/train ticket or bike on arrival). 

Page last updated 14 January 2026