The Jabobite rebel army is calling local recruits

This is shaping up to be the summer to encounter your inner ‘Outlander’.

Perth Museum and Art Gallery has decked out the main gallery with relics and memorabilia celebrating Bonnie Prince Charlie and his cause. There are portraits and key items that relate to the secret loyalties maintained by families in Perthshire when Jacobite support could be a death sentence.

And making the Jacobite Clans exhibition reach beyond the museum’s glass cases and hanging space are a number of specially themed events this month, laid on by Culture Perth and Kinross.

The PA spoke to Dougie Scott, events officer with Culture Perth and Kinross about some great living history moments coming to Perth.

“Next Thursday on July 11, Clanranald are coming to Perth Museum,” Dougie explained. “They are a unique bunch of combat-trained warriors, they’re coming to Perth in full Highland gear with weapons to try and clothing to put on if you step up and respond to their invitation to enlist in the rebellion.

“Clanranald have been supporting actors in the massive hit TV title, ‘Outlander.’ They appeared as Jamie Fraser’s men in the first season and ever since for the sake of continuity for the filming, they have to been included in the later instalments of the story, always at Jamie Fraser’s side.

“As well as looking the part each member of the group is an expert in his or her field, so any specialist questions the public might have about Jacobite life, these are the people who can give you a detailed answer.”

Dougie explained for anyone who came along to the living history Viking event which Clanranald did last year, this will be similar, except the team are in Jacobite character.

The free event at Perth Museum and Art Gallery on Thursday, July 11 is a drop-in, running from 11am3.30pm.

Then a week on (Thursday, July 18), there’s a whole lot of activity happening outside in the museum plaza when Ceilidh of the Clans asks afternoon visitors to come and dance a reel or two.

Organised for 3pm, when tourists to Perth might be spending an afternoon exploring Perth and the museum, Ceilidh of the Clans will be a unique chance to learn traditional Scottish partner dances for both beginners and auld hands alike.

The ceilidh will be led by Perthshire’s own legendary Jacobite re-enactors ‘Plaid Sword’. Tickets cost £5 general admission, £3.50 for under 18s and £15 for a group of four to come in and dance.

If the weather takes a turn for the worst the ceilidh is easily moved inside but Dougie hopes it stays dry as having dancers enjoying the outside space of the museum plaza is part of the plan to take the festival feel generated by the Jacobite Clans exhibition out to a wider passing crowd.