Guildhall, Perth Explained

Perth Guildhall
Coordinates:56.3965°N -3.4295°W
Location:102–106 High Street, Perth, Scotland
Built:1907–1908
Architect:Andrew Heiton
Andrew Granger Heiton
Architecture:Elizabethan
Sculptor:H. H. Morton
Governing Body:Historic Environment Scotland
Designation1:Category B Listed Building
Designation1 Date:26 August 1977
Designation1 Number:LB39481

Perth Guildhall is a building at today's 102–106 High Street, Perth, Scotland. The structure, which stands at the corner of High Street and King Edward Street, a block north of Perth City Hall, is Category B listed, dating to 1907. It stands on the site of a former guildhall that existed between 1722 and 1907.[1] [2] The previous building, which was torn down in May 1907, also used to hold theatre plays.[3] Unlike today's three-storey structure, its predecessor was only two levels, the ground floor occupied by merchants, including D. Robertson booksellers[4] and James Wotherspoon's hatters[5] shortly before its demolition.[3]

The foundation stone of today's structure was laid in the second half of 1907 by incumbent Dean of Guild, James Barlas. It was opened on 29 August 1908. The building hosted the Guild's activities until 1988, at which point it suffered collateral damage from construction work on an adjacent building. The hall was deemed beyond economic repair, and was sold for development. The Guild used the funds to purchase new premises at 5 Atholl Street,[1] near the North Inch.

Its façade features sculptures in its segmental pediment, the work of H. H. Morton.

See also

Notes and References

  1. https://perthguildry.org.uk/property/ Property
  2. Scotland and the French Revolutionary War, 1792–1802, Atle Wold (2015)
  3. The Drama in Perth: Being a History of Perth's Early Plays, Play Houses, Play Bills, Pageants, Concerts, Etc, Peter Baxter (1907), p. 291
  4. The Drama in Perth: Being a History of Perth's Early Plays, Play Houses, Play Bills, Pageants, Concerts, Etc, Peter Baxter (1907), p. 334
  5. Oliver & Boyd's new Edinburgh almanac and national repository, Oliver and Boyd's New Edinburgh Almanac and National Repository (1879), p. 69