History Fun
What's On - History
Calling all history buffs! This Easter, Perthshire invites you to a captivating journey through time. Immerse yourself in ancient tales, craft heraldic shields, and trace the footsteps of Picts and Jacobites on immersive city tours. From historical characters to gilding masterclasses, make this Easter a time-traveling adventure!
STORIES FROM PERTH
Mill Street Plaza // PH1 5HZ
Perth is a city full of stories – of politics and power, amazing women who protest and protect, of nature and nurture. All these stories and so many more are told within Perth Museum with the collection of objects, artefacts, and exhibitions. Opening weekend is a unique chance to tell these stories in different ways, outside the walls of the museum, from traditional storytelling to modern dance, music and theatre.
Playing four times over the weekend, do not miss these unique performances from some of the most exciting talent in Scotland. All free to see.
JAMES I BY BRUCE FUMMEY
Saturday & Sunday // 12pm & 2:30pm
Perth’s favourite historian has developed a new piece of work to tell the tale of James I. King, prisoner, tyrant, visionary and murder victim, he was eventually crowned upon the Stone of Destiny in 1424. James I divides opinion even to this day, so this telling of his extraordinary story will be fascinating. A solo show from the brilliant Bruce Fummey, taking time out his UK tour.
FREDERICK DOUGLASS BY COURTNEY STODDART
Saturday & Sunday // 12:20 and 2:50pm
Frederick Douglass - emancipated slave, writer, social reformer, and statesman - had several visits to Perth, speaking three times at the City Hall - now Perth Museum - bringing stories of the horror of slavery and hopes for political change to Scotland and challenging people to think in a different way.
Poet and actor, Courtney Stoddart, performs their newly written piece of poetry to commemorate the man and his important visits to the city as part of the opening celebrations.
GEORGINA BALLANTINE BY NEVE RENWICK
Saturday & Sunday // 12:40pm and 3:10pm
Georgina Ballantine from Caputh, was a Scottish nurse, registrar and salmon fisher. In 1922, Ballantine landed a 64lb (29kg) salmon on the River Tay, the largest recorded from a British river with rod and line. The cast of the salmon – and Georgina’s story – is a favourite in Perth, but it has never been told in this way before, through a newly commissioned dance piece from Crieff’s Neve Renwick.
SUFFRAGETTES BY PERTH FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS
Saturday & Sunday // 1pm and 3.30pm
A star object in Perth Museum is the National Union of Women’s Suffrage Society Banner, from around 1900, used as part of a protest against the brutal and invasive procedure of ‘force-feeding’ which took place in Perth Prison. 3,000 women marched toward the prison, singing the Robert Burns song ‘Scots Wha Hae’, an unofficial Scottish national anthem often sung as a call to rebellion.
Perth Museum and Perth Festival of the Arts have collaborated on a commission for a new protest song inspired by the march, with words and music by Debra Salem. The song will be performed for the first time this weekend by Debra and Craigie Choir.
THE TRAVELLER BY JESS SMITH
Saturday & Sunday // 1:20pm and 3:50pm
Perth and Kinross is proudly home to the largest population of gypsy travellers in Scotland and the queen of them all, Jess Smith, has spent her life striving to tell their stories to help bring understanding about her people and their way of life. Jess is a master storyteller and it’s a treat to welcome her to Perth.
AN EXCHANGE OF WORDS BY JD HENSHAW
Saturday & Sunday // 1:40pm, 4:10pm
Perth Town Hall has always been a place to gather, to hear voices sharing disparate opinions, to wrestle with the issues of the time. As Perth Museum takes on that role of giving a voice to our shared history, voices that have echoed in its walls stir once more. Considering the role of Margaret Thatcher in the history of our country, who returned to Perth repeatedly after winning elections throughout the late 70s and 80s, we hear her words and her ardent opponent outside of parliament, Arthur Scargill. Remixing and recontextualising their own words from key early speeches, this dynamic new piece of short theatre is presented by multi-award-winning playwright and director, JD Henshaw, with Sweet Productions.
Blast from the Past
Saturday 30th March – Sunday 31st March // 11am – 4pm // Perth City Centre
As you wander through the city you might notice some ancient characters, ask them where there are from and find out more about their time and what you can find on display in the new museum.
Heraldic Symbols
Sunday 31st March // 11am – 4pm // Perth Art Gallery // Free
Join The Heraldry Society of Scotland and learn all about the symbols in Scottish history. Meet a medieval Royal Hearld Why not have a go at making your own heraldic shield to take home with you. Be sure to share your creations with us. #SymbolsOfPerth Suitable for all ages. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
Hands on History with the Picts
Monday 1st April // 11am & 2.30pm// Perth Art Gallery // £5
Find out about the people of Northern and Eastern Scotland as they are invaded by Romans, see their culture expand, meet Vikings and become a great people that today we are still learning about. Who were they, where did they go? Find out all about them and bust the myths that surround them. Suitable for all ages. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
Hands on History with the Jacobite’s
Friday 5 April // 11.30am & 2.30pm // Perth Art Gallery // £5
Hold hands with history as our Jacobite soldier tells tales of rebellion and battle. Discover how traditional highland clothes were worn, see the weapons carried by these fearsome warriors, and get hands on with some of the artifacts and armaments. Suitable for all ages. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
Jacobite City Tours
Saturday 6 April // 10.30am, 12noon, 2pm & 3.30pm // Starting at Perth Museum // £9.50
Walk in the footsteps of Perth’s past and discover more about its connections to the Jacobite Wars. Find out where the Bonnie Prince took up residence during his stay here and of Perth's gift to the victorious Duke of Cumberland. Suitable for all ages, children must be accompanied by an adult.
Medieval City Tours
Sunday 7 April // 10.30am, 12pm, 2pm, 3.30pm // Starting at Perth Museum // £9.50 per person
From clan battles to the murder of a King, the punishment of a Wolf, and religious revolution, Perth has played an important role in Scotland’s medieval past. Come walk in the footsteps of Perth’s great past. Suitable for all ages. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Saturday 13 April // 10.30am, 12pm, 2pm, 3.30pm // Starting at Perth Museum // £9.50 per person
The city of Perth is steeped in Medieval history: step back in time with Andrew De Moray himself to find out more about the life and times of the people who lived and worked in this great city that was almost the capital of Scotland. Suitable for all ages. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Hands on History Medieval Style
Friday 12 April // 11.30am & 2.30pm // Perth Art Gallery // £5
Meet one of King Robert’s Knights from the Scots Wars of Independence and learn all about life in the king’s court, the feudal pyramid, Robert’s path to kingship and the aftermath following his death. Suitable for all ages. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Architectural Conservation CPD – Principles and Best Practices for Traditional and Historic Buildings: Gilding Masterclass
Wednesday 24th April // 2pm // St John’s Kirk of Perth // £60
Limited number of spaces available to attend this very special masterclass held in the most unique location. Be one of the first to stand next to the newly restored weathercock before he is reinstated on the spire of St John’s Kirk. Hear all about the restoration from the company responsible for his repair and regilding and learn how to gild your very own piece to take home.
Adventures await here in the history-steeped Perth - don't miss out and book today! The fun isn’t just around Perth City Centre. Visitor attractions across Perth and Kinross are putting on special activity for the Easter weekend.