Perfectly wonderful

Gavin D. Smith looks at the fortunes of Perth.

Ask the people of Perth whether they live in a town or a city and the answer is likely to be almost unanimous. Perth is ‘The Fair City,' of Sir Walter Scott's novel The Fair Maid of Perth, and only a reform of local government legislation in 1975 removed that cherished, formal status.

Perth residents are intensely proud of their historic home, which is currently celebrating the 800th anniversary of having been granted Royal Burgh status by King William the Lion of Scotland in 1210.

An extensive and varied programme of events is taking place during ‘Perth 800' year, but one aim beyond the immediate commemorations and celebrations is to create a foundation for Perth's bid to regain its “City” status in 2012, that is unless determined attempts by local politicians and leading businessmen bring about that objective in the meantime.

It has been announced that towns across Britain will be invited to apply for city status in 2012 as part of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations, and Perth will seize that opportunity, but many in Scotland feel that Perth should not have to wait.

Provost John Hulbert declares that “Perth's claim is a reinstatement of dignity lost. Our case is different and special. We have the support of the First Minister of Scotland, and the good wishes of the Secretary of State. I hope this process allows us to move forward in 2010.” Civic officials prepared a formal submission for Jack Straw, the former Lord Chancellor, detailing Perth's histori...

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• By : Gavin D. Smith
• In : Scotland Cities
• Issue : 51
• Page : 56
• Words : 1,307