North Inch Perth Scotland

The North Inch, Perth, Scotland

The Historic North Inch

The North Inch of Perth is a historic public park located on the northern edge of the city of Perth, Scotland, along the banks of the River Tay. Spanning 54 hectares (over 100 acres), it is one of the oldest public green spaces in Scotland, with its origins tracing back to the 14th century when it was granted to the citizens of Perth by King Robert II (1316-1390).

The park is one of two "Inches" (meaning 'meadow') in Perth, the other being the smaller, 31-hectare South Inch on the other side of the city. North Inch is close to both the Black Watch Castle & Museum and Bell's Sports Centre. Perth Bowling Club is also nearby.

History

The park is historically significant as the site of the Battle of the North Inch in 1396, a legendary combat between two Scottish clans who fielded 30 men each in a fight to the death. The battle is depicted in Sir Walter Scott's novel The Fair Maid of Perth (1828).

The park has facilities for various sports. — The park has facilities for various sports

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

Bell's Sports Centre. — Bell's Sports Centre

Facilities

North Inch has long served as a recreational space for Perth, featuring a golf course, North Inch Golf Course, rugby and football sports fields, walking paths, petanque pistes and areas for various outdoor activities.

At the southern end of North Inch is a statue of Prince Albert unveiled by Queen Victoria herself and the Old Academy - an historic building in the city built between 1803 and 1807.

A cycle route follows the river.

Access & Hours

1 Barossa Place, Perth PH1 5HG

Open; 24/7.

The Old Academy Building in Perth. — The Old Academy Building in Perth

The World Curling headquarters is located at 3 Atholl Crescent. — The World Curling headquarters is located at 3 Atholl Crescent opposite North Inch

Getting There

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

Perth Station is the closest railway station, just 20 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.

Royal George Hotel, Perth. — Royal George Hotel

Stay

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 very close to North Inch and Holiday Inn Express Perth with 81 en-suite rooms.

The historic Salutation Hotel has been completely refurbished and offers a fine restaurant.

Perth Attractions

Perth's other attractions include the nearby Perth Art Gallery which houses a wide collection of Scottish art. The Fair Maid's House Visitor and Education Centre, is the oldest secular building in Perth and now the home of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society. The Perth Museum reopened in 2024 after a £27 million redevelopment project. It is the new home of the Stone of Scone, returning to Perthshire for the first time in 700 years close to its spiritual home of Scone Palace (previously Scone Abbey). Perth City Hall which dates from 1914 houses the city's premier attraction.

Perth's churches include St John's Kirk opposite 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.