Perth, the 'Fair City' in Scotland a former royal burgh can be discovered at the head of the Tay estuary. During the twelfth and fifteenth centuries Perth competed with Dunfermline for the title of being the capital of the country. In the article below I write about 3 places to visit in Perth, Scotland; Elcho Castle, Huntingtower Castle and Scone Palace:
Scone Palace
At this time, home of the Earls of Mansfield is Scone Palace, and a incredibly popular attraction to travelers from across the world. The palace is an integral part of the history of Scotland, as the Scottish kings were once crowned there. In 1306, Robert the Bruce was crowned at Scone Palace, as was Charles II when he took occupancy of the Scottish Crown in 1651. There is a beautiful and mysterious aura to the palace, which is justifiably so.At one time in the past the area acted as an important gathering place of the Picts and there was also a church on the site said to be early christian.
Elcho Castle
situated approximately three miles from the city of Perth, with stunning views across the River Tay, is Elcho Castle. Elcho Castle is one of the prime examples of Sixteenth century architecture in Scotland today. The Wemyss family commissioned the building of the castle in the 1570's. The land had been in the family since 1468, when it was handed over to them by King James III. In 1633, the head of the family was given the titles of Lord Elcho and Earl of Wemyss. Elcho Castle and it's lands remained in possession of the Wemyss family until 1929. At this time, the 11th Earl of Wemyss, bestowed the castle to the nation. The castle has recently been renovated and is now in the charge of Historic Scotland.
Huntingtower Castle
Found just to the west of Perth is Huntingtower Castle, a medieval pile. Although the castle is originaly medieval, it has been redeveloped significantly throughout most of it's history. The Ruthven family were the owners of the castle and lands from the C12th to the C17th. During this time the castle consisted of two separate towers, built 3 meters apart. When the Murray family took occupancy, later on in the 17th century, they decided to merge the two towers, making the house appear more like a ordinary country manor house. The bridging work between the two towers is still rather noticeable today, on both the interior and exterior of the building.
If you are thinking about a short break in Perth you will discover a large selection of online Perth hotels and guest houses and you will find a huge range at http://www.perthhotelscotland.com/
Recent Comments