Perth Art Gallery

Perth Art Gallery, Scotland

The Perth Museum, Scotland. — The exterior of Perth Museum

The Perth Art Gallery in Perth, Scotland was originally the museum of the Literary & Antiquarian Society of Perth, founded in 1784. The oldest part of the building dates from 1824. It was originally named the Perth Museum and Art Gallery but became Perth Art Gallery with the opening of the new Perth Museum in 2024. Perth Art Gallery now concentrates on Scottish art with many of its previous exhibits such as the St Madoes stone and Carpow Logboat moved to the Perth Museum.

The gallery is partly located in the Marshall Monument (the white classical building shown in the photo above), named after Thomas Hay Marshall, a former provost of Perth, designed by architect David Morison and opened in 1824. The extension was added in 1935.

Goods From Japan delivered to your home or business. — Goods From Japan delivered to your home or business

Eastre, Hymn to the Sun by J D Fergusson, 1924. — Eastre, Hymn to the Sun by J D Fergusson, 1924

Exhibits

The gallery's collection of over 1,000 pieces encompasses painting and sculpture, with notable works by artists such as John Duncan Fergusson (1874-1961) in the new JD Fergusson Collection with works by Fergusson and his wife Margaret Morris.

Also on display are pieces by Calum Colvin, Joan Eardley (1921-1963), George Henry (1858-1943), William MacTaggart (1903-1981), John Maxwell (1905-62), Perth-born Alexander Stuart-Hill (1889-1948), and Alison Watt. Modern Scots is the name of a new permanent display with Scottish art from the 20th and 21st centuries.

Other featured artists include John Inglis McClymont (1858-1934), David Wilkie (1785-1841), and C. Judith Stowell.

In addition, several temporary exhibitions take place at the gallery each year.

Perth Art Gallery, Scotland. — The original museum and art gallery dates back to the early 19th century making it one of the oldest museums in the UK

Access & Hours

Perth Art Gallery, 78 George St, Perth PH1 5LB
Tel: 01738 783400
www: culturepk.org.uk/museum/perth-art-gallery

Open; 10 am to 5 pm, Monday, Friday, Saturday; Sunday 10 am to 4 pm and 10 am - 7pm on Thursday; closed Tuesday and Wednesday.

Admission: Entry is free.

The gallery has a shop and cafe.

Getting There

Dundee Airport is 30 minutes by car from the museum on the A90.

Perth Station is the closest railway station, just 15 minutes away on foot.

Perth Station, on both the Glasgow to Dundee Line and the Highland Main Line has trains to Dundee Station in Dundee, Glasgow Queen Street in Glasgow via Stirling, as well as service to Edinburgh, Arbroath and Inverness.

Dundee Station has trains to London King's Cross Station from Aberdeen via Edinburgh, Newcastle and York Station in York and connections south to Edinburgh Waverley Station in Edinburgh.

If you wish to stay in Perth try the 5-star The Townhouse, at 17 Marshall Place with views over South Inch Park. Also recommended are the 5-star Alexander Residence and Holiday Inn Express Perth with 81 en-suite rooms. The Royal George on Tay Street and the Lovat Hotel on Glasgow Road are both 3-star options.

Perth Attractions

Perth's other attractions include the nearby Perth Museum which now houses a the Stone of Scone from Scone Palace (previously Scone Abbey). The Fair Maid's House Visitor and Education Centre, is the oldest secular building in Perth and now part of the home of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society (RSGS). The Black Watch Castle & Museum, housed in the historic Balhousie Castle, is dedicated to the history of The Black Watch, Scotland's oldest Highland regiment. It has a collection of uniforms, medals, and military artifacts spanning over three centuries.

Perth's churches include St John's Kirk close to Perth Museum. It dates back to the 12th century, renowned for its Gothic architecture and historic significance. In 1559, John Knox preached against idolatry in the kirk, which marked the beginning of the Reformation in Scotland. St. Ninian's Cathedral was the first new cathedral to be built in Britain after the Reformation, completed in 1850.