Perth

The name Perth derives from a Pictish word for 'wood' or 'copse', related to the Welsh perth, meaning 'hedge' or 'thicket'. During much of the later medieval period, it was known colloquially by its Scots-speaking inhabitants as St John's Toun or Saint Johnstoun because the church at the centre of the parish was dedicated to St John the Baptist. Perth was referred to as St John's ton up until the mid-1600s with the name Perthia being reserved for the wider area. At this time, Perthia became Perth Shyre and St John's ton became known as Perth. …

Perth developed from an initial plan of two parallel streets: High Street and South Street, linked by several vennels leading north and south. The names of these vennels have historic origins, and many—such as Cow Vennel and Fleshers' Vennel—recall the trades associated with their foundation. South Street was originally terminated at its eastern end by Gowrie House (site of today's Perth Sheriff Court). Upon its demolition in the early 19th century, direct access was granted to the river. The presence of Scone two miles (3 km) northeast, the main royal centre of the Kingdom of Alba from at least the reign of Kenneth I (843–858), and later the site of the major Augustinian abbey of the same name founded by Alexander I (1107–1124), enhanced Perth's early importance. Perth was considered the effective capital of Scotland, due to the frequent residence of the royal court. …

Situated at the southern extremity of a spacious and fertile plain, Perth itself is flat (as are the areas immediately to the north, east and west), but it is nestled between the following hills (includes distance from Perth and summit height): To the east Kinnoull Hill – 1.5 miles (2.4 km), 728 ft (222 m) To the south-southeast Moncreiffe Hill – 2.7 miles (4.3 km), 732 ft (223 m) To the south-southwest Friarton Hill – 1.7 miles (2.7 km), 302 ft (92 m) St Magdalene's Hill – 1.55 miles (2.49 km), 430 ft (130 m) Hilton Hill – 1.7 miles (2.7 km), 449 ft (137 m) Mailer Hill – 1.9 miles (3.1 km), 597 ft (182 m) As with most of the British Isles, Perth has an oceanic climate (Köppen Cfb) with cool summers and mild winters. The nearest Met Office weather station is at Strathallan, around 5 mi (8 km) from the centre of Perth.Temperatures extremes since 1960 have ranged from −18. …

Perth Art Gallery, at the eastern end of George Street, is recognised as one of the oldest provincial museums in Scotland. Another museum, known as the Fergusson Gallery, has, since 1992, been located in the Category A listed former Perth Water Works building on Tay Street. This contains the major collection of the works of the artist John Duncan Fergusson. Perth Theatre opened in 1900. It underwent a £10 million redevelopment to house new studio space, a youth theatre, construction workshop and a series of front of house performance areas and new main entrance from Mill Street in addition to the main focus of the conservation and restoration of the historic Victorian auditorium. Perth Concert Hall, which opened in 2005, was built on the site of the former Horsecross Market. …

The strength of Perth's economy lies in its diversity, with a balance of large companies, the public sector, a broad range of small and medium-sized enterprises and many self-employed business people. The development in renewable energy, insurance, manufacturing, leisure, health and transport is stimulating employment. The largest employer in the city is Perth and Kinross Council which employ 6,000 people. Other main employers include NHS Tayside, SSE plc, and Perth College UHI (part of the University of the Highlands and Islands). The leading international transportation company Stagecoach Group also has its global headquarters in the city. Perth was formerly headquarters of insurance firm General Accident; however, since General Accident merged with Norwich Union to form Aviva, the office has been primarily used as a call centre. …

Perth remains a key transport hub for journeys by road and rail throughout Scotland. The M90 motorway, the northernmost motorway in Great Britain, runs south from the city to Edinburgh; the A9 road connects it to Stirling and Glasgow in the south west and Inverness in the north. Other major roads serving the city include the A85 to Crieff and Crianlarich (and ultimately Oban), the A93 to Blairgowrie and Braemar, the A94 to Coupar Angus and Forfar and the A90 to Dundee and Aberdeen. The city itself was bypassed to the south and east by the M90 in the 1970s and to the west by the A9 in 1986. The M90, A9 and A93 all meet at Broxden Junction, one of the busiest and most important road junctions in Scotland. …