Destiny of more than city hall is at stake

Powers that be can raise visitor attraction to whole new level

Acres of newsprint have been devoted to the saga of Perth City Hall over the past decade and more, so it is with some hesitation that I return to the subject.

Many became heartily sick of the arguments for and against retaining the building, with opinions polarised along the lines of “magnificent example of traditional architecture” as against “ugly monstrosity”.

My own opinion falls somewhere in the middle (those cherubs were never going to be high art) with my main concern, along with that of the council, being the identification of a viable future for the Edwardian building.

If that was impossible I would happily have seen it torn down and replaced with a civic square as the council requested.

However, Historic Environment Scotland put the kibosh on that.

Their reluctance to see a piece of the city’s heritage consigned to history seemed to be based on wishful thinking that the city hall could enjoy a new life. However, they were proved right. Blocking demolition focused minds in a way that had seemed impossible and, although it still lies empty and forlorn, plans to place it at the cultural heart of the city have reached a crucial, and promising, stage.

It emerged in the last few days that a delegation representing Commissioners of the Regalia, the group responsible for the safe-keeping of the Stone of Destiny, had visited the city hall to see how the artefact would sit as the centrepiece of a £20 million arts hub.

While the city hall will become a cultural attraction come hell or high water, to wrestle the Stone of Destiny away from Edinburgh Castle would elevate it to a whole new level.

It has been estimated that the return of the crowning stone of kings to its Perthshire roots could attract as many as 100,000 extra visitors to the Fair City.

Let’s hope that those with the power to grant the city’s wishes will be sufficiently impressed and allow what will no doubt be an excellent attraction to be elevated into something that will be on a par with the nearby V&A. Get in touch with your local office at Perth or send a letter to The Courier at letters@thecourier.co.uk

Picture: Steve MacDougall. Perth City Hall: plans to place it at the cultural heart of the city have reached a crucial, and promising, stage.