Perth feels like it's in a bit of a time-warp. The centre’s still dominated by the sort of small shops that give you the sense that commerce and maybe even progress is giving the town a miss. As if to confirm it, many visitors generally thunder past Perth on main roads without a second glance.

Of course in some ways that's good news, and certainly Perth's attractive enough. It's tree-lined stretch along the River Tay's a highlight, while notable historic buildings are pretty much absent from town, even if the town has a medieval heritage as evidenced by the Church of St John (1126) and the Fair Maid’s House (c.1600).

Perth Museum

If anything will change Perth’s attractiveness to visitors, it’s the Perth Museum (this entry’s map location), which after a big-budget revamp in 2024, is the new home of the Stone of Scone (pronnouced Skoon; aka Stone of Destiny), the coronation rock for generations of Scottish kings. Much is made of this coffee-table-sized rock in an multi-media presentation for which you’ll need a ticket (free, but booking recommended).