Search for King James I to begin 580 years after he was murdered

Location of king’s tomb lost in mists of time

A bid to locate the body of James I of Scotland has been launched in Perth – 580 years to the day after his brutal murder.

It has long been known than an elaborate tomb for the king was housed in the city’s Charterhouse monastery but the exact location has been lost in the mists of time.

Now academics from across Scotland have joined forces with Perth’s archaeology, heritage and cultural bodies to locate and virtually recreate the lost tombs and buildings from one of the most bloody chapters of local history.

Project lead Professor Richard Oram, dean of arts and humanities at Stirling University, said: “Perth’s Charterhouse was unique in Scotland.

“Medieval descriptions speak of the magnificence of the church, but nothing of it remains above ground to be seen today – the whole monastery was plundered and demolished at the Reformation.

“Working with our archaeology colleagues and the wider community in Perth, we aim to locate the Charterhouse buildings and recover as much of their plan as possible to allow us to ‘build’ a virtual reconstruction of the complex and restore the jewel in the crown of the city’s lost medieval heritage.”

“Unearthing this almost forgotten building will transform understanding of Perth’s place in James I’s ambitions – locating the royal tombs within the church would be the icing on the cake.”

A search of archives and the use of ground penetrating radar will be followed by archaeological test pit digs.

The public will have a chance to learn more about the project on Saturday when a digital presentation is given at Perth Museum and Gallery from 10am to noon.

A walking tour of the city from 12.30 to 2pm will help the understanding of King James I’s dreams to make Perth the capital of Scotland and how these were violently ended on February 21 1437.

Pictures: Dougie Nicolson. Above: Dr Lucinda Dean, University of the Highlands and Islands, Paul Wilson, Glasgow School of Art, and Professor Richard Oram, Stirling University, at the launch of the Perth Charterhouse Project. Right: the search for James I’s final resting place...