The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Historical police force in 21st Century update
They were wearing their trademark top hats as they formed a dapper guard of honour around the new Perth Museum during Saturday’s opening parade.
Despite historically being all men, if you look closely at the photos, you will spot women among their ranks.
So, who are the Society of High Constables of Perth? And why was a police force that is 194 years old centrestage for the milestone in the city’s history?
Sandy Scrimgeour, the group’s moderator, says there’s been a flurry of interest in the high constables since their appearance at Perth Museum.
And the big question on most people’s lips is: “Is this just a boys’ club?” Not at all, says Sandy. As proof, Linda Hill, the former boss of Murrays bakery in Perth, took her place among the men on Saturday.
She was the first woman to be admitted to the High Constables of Perth in 2022, although the decision was made back in September 2018.
At that time, there was a waiting list of 16 people so it was decided that letting women jump the queue would be patronising to them and unfair to the men.
Linda has since been joined by three more women, with females now making up 4% of the High Constables of Perth.
And, while the others haven’t had time to get their ceremonial outfits organised, it’s hoped they’ll join the ranks the next time duty calls.
That’s not the only way the High Constables of Perth are changing with the times, said Sandy.
“We want to recruit more people from other ethnic backgrounds and diversify in other ways,” he said.
“You have to be nominated by another high constable to join. So if people are interested we’d really like to hear from them.”
Nor does Sandy accept accusations that the High Constables of Perth are an elitist bunch.
“I sometimes hear people criticising us for being too middle class,” he said.
“But that’s unfair. I was in the police. There’s nothing middle class about that.
“There’s nothing middle class about working in a bakery like Linda.
“We are just a group of people who want to uphold Perth’s traditions and take a pride in Perth.”
The High Constables of Perth were formed in 1830 as a precursor to the modern police force that we recognise today.
Their last policing job was in 1843, when they helped to quell a riot that broke out between Perth locals and soldiers stationed at the city’s barracks.
Today their role is largely ceremonial and consists of royal visits, remembrance parades and other big occasions.
The high constables were there for the proclamation of the accession of King Charles in Perth in 2022, as they were for his mother 70 years before.
Before Queen Elizabeth’s coronation they attended the opening of Perth Royal Infirmary in 1914.
And they were present when the Freedom of the City was bestowed on everyone from Winston Churchill to the Scottish Women’s Olympic curling gold medal team.
The Perth group is one of four left in Scotland, and the only one outside Edinburgh. There are 100 members at any one time. And the last member to be admitted was another woman – the journalist and Scottish Charity Air Ambulance stalwart Maureen Young.
A strategic review is currently being carried out to find out how else the High Constables of Perth might adapt in order to stay fit for purpose in the 21st Century.
And Sandy insisted members are excited about what they can do for Perth in the future.
“I see people comparing us to the masons, and saying we’re secretive – but that’s not what we’re about,” he said.
“We may not be the most high-profile organisation but that doesn’t mean we’re secretive.
“We are simply here to big up the city of Perth in any way that we can.”
To find out more, visit the Society of High Constables of Perth website, or follow them on Facebook.