Along the Tay to Scone

A town trail of Perth with views over Scotland's ancient capital.

Distance 4 miles (6.4km)

Minimum time 1hr 30min

Ascent/gradient Negligible

Level of difficulty Easy

Paths City streets and wide firm tracks

Landscape Historic city and wide, lazy river

Suggested map aqua3 OS Explorer 369 Perth & Kinross

Start/finish NO 114237

Dog friendliness They'll enjoy river but might not like busy streets

Parking On street in Perth

Public toilets Off Kinnoull Street in Perth

Write a review of this walk

Directions
Background
Information

1 From the tourist information centre turn right, then take the first right so that you walk round the building. Turn right again and walk down to reach the road. Cross over and take the right-hand road ahead, passing the bus stops. Walk down to reach Kinnoul Street, then cross over and join Mill Street.

2 Continue down Mill Street, passing Perth Theatre on the right-hand side. Keep walking ahead, pass Caffe Canto on the right-hand side, and join Bridge Lane. You'll pass the museum and art gallery on the left-hand side and will come on to Charlotte Street. Turn left here.

3 At the corner you can turn left if you wish to visit the Fair Maid's House. Otherwise, cross over the road and turn right through the park. Walk past the war memorial then bear left to join the riverside path. This will give you good views of the smart houses along the opposite bank.

4 Continue ahead on the path, passing the golf course. When you reach the sign for the 14th tee, turn right and follow the track. At the end there's a wall on the left. You can choose to go either to the left of the wall along an enclosed cycle track (keeping an ear open for cyclists), or to the right of it to walk by the water's edge.

5 Follow your chosen track until the two tracks meet, just past an electricity sub station. Walk by the riverside now to enjoy great views of Scone Palace on the opposite bank - there's a seat so you can sneak a rest. This is a lovely spot on a warm, summer's day.

6 Retrace your steps now, walking back beside the river or along the cycle track and back to the golf course. Turn left and walk back towards Perth until you reach the cricket and football pitches on the right-hand side.

7 Turn right and walk between the pitches to join Rose Terrace - John Ruskin once lived here. Turn left, then bear left at the end into Charlotte Street and right into Bridge Lane again. Turn left along Skinner Gate, the site of the oldest pub in Perth, and walk along to the end.

8 Cross over to pass St John's Kirk . Cross South Street and join Princes Street. At Marshall Place turn left and walk to the Fergusson Gallery on the left-hand side. Then turn back along Marshall Place, walk up to King Street, then turn right. Maintain direction now, then turn left into West Mill Street and return to the start of the walk.

An ancient description of one of Scotland's most potent symbols - the Stone of Scone, also known as the Stone of Destiny - reads: 'No king was ever wont to reign in Scotland unless he had first sat upon this Stone at Scone.' Scone Palace, of which you get excellent views on this walk, was the crowning place of Scottish kings, including Macbeth and Robert the Bruce. The stone, which was placed on Moot Hill, by the palace, served as their throne - until it was stolen. The last monarch to be crowned on the Moot Hill was Charles II in 1651 - he was recognised as King in Scotland before he was restored to the throne in England a few years later, in 1660.

Scone was the capital of the Pictish kingdom and was the seat of Kenneth MacAlpin, who united Scotland, from ad 843. The stone, a piece of red sandstone over 400 million years old, was possibly already in place and could have formed an important part of a pagan ceremony. Geological studies have shown it to be virtually identical to other rocks in the Scone area.

The Stone was seen as a symbol of Scotland's nationhood and its significance was to increase after it was stolen by Edward I in 1296. Edward had taken the Stone as a war trophy, determined to exert his authority and crush the independence of the Scots. He had it removed and taken to Westminster Abbey, where in 1297 it was installed beneath the Coronation Chair. Some have claimed that Edward was palmed off with a fake - perhaps even a drainage cover. However this is unlikely, as his officials had already seen the Stone, which has a smooth surface and some distinctive markings.

The Scots appealed to the Pope to help them get the Stone returned and, because it apparently had no intrinsic value or aesthetic appeal, the lawyer arguing their case embellished his story of how important it was by claiming that the Stone had been brought to Scotland from Egypt by a pharaoh's daughter. Further myths began to spring up and some even claimed that the Stone was Jacob's pillow.

The Stone continued to play its role in history, as all English monarchs from 1297 were crowned upon it. It also continued to be seen as a symbol of Scottish independence and many resented its presence in London. In 1950 some Scottish students managed to steal it from Westminster Abbey, but it was retrieved and replaced. However, in 1996 the Stone was returned to the Scots. It was escorted with due ceremony and put on display in Edinburgh Castle. Many hope that one day it will return to Scone.

What to look for

St John's Kirk, which you pass on this walk, was founded in 1126 - though most of the present building dates from the 15th century. It gave the town its original name 'St John's town' - now the name of the local football team, St Johnstone. John Knox gave a sermon here that inspired local people to sack the nearby monasteries.

Where to eat and drink

Caffe Canto on George Street is a chic café and a good spot to enjoy a creamy cappuccino and a cake or a light lunch such as a panini. Pubs worth trying include the Auld Hoose, Mucky Mulligan's or the Cherrybank. All serve bar meals.

While you're there

If you like gardens, make for Branklyn Gardens on Dundee Road. This 2 acre (0.8ha) private garden contains lots of unusual and rare plants, including gorgeous Himalayan poppies - they're the bright blue ones. There are more plants at Bell's Cherrybank Centre, the home of Bell's Scotch Whisky and the National Heather Collection. There are over 900 varieties of heather on display.