Perth.

Title

Perth.

Description

Very decorative view of Perth, Scotland's royal city on the Tay with the Perth Bridge and inhabitants working in the fields in the foreground. After an original drawing by Thomas Allom. Published in William Beattie’s Scotland Illustrated.

ca. 1837

Artist

Benjamin

Historical Description

Perth is a city in Scotland, United Kingdom. It has had the royal rights of a free city (royal burgh) since the Middle Ages and is located on the River Tay. The name suggests a Pictish settlement. King David I of Scotland (1124-1153) granted the town the title “burgh” in the early 12th century. In the 12th and 13th centuries, Perth was one of the richest trading cities in the kingdom and the city's trade relations also extended to large parts of the European continent. Due to the wars with England in the 13th and 14th centuries, the city's prosperity declined. During the Middle Ages, Perth had only one church, the Burgh Kirk of St John the Baptist. Construction of the present church began on the old foundations in the 15th century. In 1760, Perth College was founded and significant industry settled in the city. Linen, leather, bleached products and whisky became the main exports. Due to its location, Perth was ideally placed to become a transportation hub when the railroad was introduced. The first railroad station was built in 1848. In the 1890s, horse-drawn carriages became fashionable. However, they were soon replaced by electric streetcars.