Heritage watchdog celebrates five decades of campaigning

It was 50 years ago that growing concern with the loss of local landmarks paved the way to the creation of Perth Civic Trust.

To mark the milestone birthday, a series of celebratory events have been arranged over the next few months.

The programme includes a joint seminar with the Scottish Civic Trust looking to the future as well as reflecting on changes over the past half century, a trip to Edinburgh’s Royal Botanic Gardens and a November 24 civic reception being hosted by Perth and Kinross Council for members.

October 12 sees a tour of the former Caledonian Primary School at 2.30pm and Perth’s Past, Present and Future goes under the microscope on October 26 at the Royal George Hotel at 7pm.

Civic Trust chairman David Maclehose said: “The organisation emerged from a period in Perth’s history when, in common with other parts of the country, there seemed to be an obsession with wiping away old and often cherished buildings rather than thinking how they could be preserved, restored and given a new lease of life.

“The city had lost the Old Ferry House at Bridgend and the Earl of Kinnoull’s lodgings in Watergate. But a feeling that enough was enough led to the emergence of the Civic Trust, with the threat hanging over the former waterworks at the corner of Tay Street and Marshall Place providing a cause celebre.”

After lobbying, the distinctive 1830 domed building, one of the earliest cast iron buildings in the world, was saved.

For further information and membership details contact Sue Hendry at suehendry.tors@ me.com or 01738 627620.