Perth & Kinross Homecoming Scotland 2009 Programme
Sir Walter Scott once said:
“If an intelligent stranger were asked to
describe the most beautiful province in
Scotland, it is probable that he would
name the County of Perth.”
A warm welcome to Perth & Kinross
Perthshire and Kinross-shire cover the heart of
Scotland. The outstanding natural beauty of the
area is incredibly varied, from the peaceful Loch
Leven in the south, with its island castle where
Mary Queen of Scots was imprisoned, to the wild
beauty of Loch Tummel and Rannoch Moor in
the north west. There is a diverse mix of scenery,
with the rolling farmland divided by sparkling
salmon rivers giving way to the foothills of the
Grampians, where ospreys and golden eagles can
be seen, and ultimately to snow-capped
mountains – home of the ptarmigan and
mountain hare.
The Fair City of Perth, once the capital of
Scotland, and for centuries Scotland’s second
city, is an historic town. Here is St John’s Kirk,
where the confrontation between Jenny Geddes
and John Knox sparked the Reformation in
Scotland, and here also, across the river, is Scone
Palace and Moot Hill where Robert the Bruce
was crowned. Around Perth are dotted small
market towns and large castles, conservation
villages and adventure sports centres, golf
courses, magnificent hotels and a network of
footpaths and cycle tracks.
Perthshire’s unique quality of life attracts a wide
range of dynamic entrepreneurs and forwardlooking
businesses. Food, drink and tourism
dominate the economy and complement each
other, with the best of Perthshire’s produce being
served in its hotels and restaurants. The strong
economy supports a thriving arts and cultural
scene and a host of speciality shops. There are two
important theatres – in Pitlochry and Perth itself
– museums, art galleries and, of course, Perth’s
state-of-the-art Concert Hall. This hosts a very
varied programme from the best European
symphony orchestras to rock and folk concerts.
From Perthshire, Scotland reaches out to
the world.
Provost John Hulbert
