perth city tours scotland

Guided tours of Perth, Scotland

Once the ancient capital of scotland, this beautiful city on the banks of the river tay is easily accessible from our two major cities and hides a wealth of cultural, architectural and historical gems., the fair city.

Our tour starts at the Walter Scott monument at the entrance to the South Inch where we will learn more about Scott’s influence on Scotland and his connection with Perth. Why is Perth called the Fair City? Admire the beautiful steeple of St Leonard in the Fields church and explore the importance of the railways in the history of Perth’s development. Walk along Marshall place. Who was Mr Marshall?

Scone Palace

Take in the architecture and head towards the river Tay. What is the Inch? Find out how it is used today and how it was used in the past. We will pass the Fergusson Gallery. Who was John Fergusson and what was this building originally used for? Walking alongside the river, you will spot the tallest church spire in Perth and find out why the river was so important. Who is Miss Ballantine, what is her connection to the river and why is she so revered in Perth? Discover the stone carvings and the stories behind them.

The Stone of Destiny

In previous times, how did people cross the river? After passing the law courts and the old and new city chambers, we will continue on to discover some of Perth’s public artwork and sculptures. We will see for ourselves how high the water rose in the years of the great floods. Once reaching the North Inch,we will listen to stories about the Battle of the Clans. Moving from past to present, we will learn about how Perth has adapted in modern times – from the disappearance of the traditional industries to the emergence of new ones to Perth’s links to a wealth of different sports.

Hear about the Stone of Destiny… an ancient symbol of Scotland’s monarchy, used for centuries to crown her Kings. Find out how it was not only seized by a King and built into his new throne at Westminster in the 13th Century but then on Christmas Day in 1950 stolen by a group of students and driven across the Border.

Now in Edinburgh, The Stone of Destiny is due to return to Perth in 2024. What celebrations there will be!

Discover all of this and much more, including a visit to the Perth section of the Fergusson museum and a stop outside St John’s Kirk where John Knox, a religious leader and one of the founders of the Scottish Reformation, preached in 1559. The tour finishes in the town centre where you can have your photograph taken next to the Fair Maid or just enjoy a coffee in one of Perth’s many cafes.

All of our walking tours can be tailored to what you want to see and experience.

If you’re unsure, then let us help you. We can devise a tour that takes in the sights of Perth you are really interested in visiting. Leave it to us and we’ll slot in a few lesser known places. 

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City Tours Perth and Kings Park: Hop-On, Hop-Off Tour

Activity schedule, key highlights.

• Inclusions & Exclusions

24 hours and 48 hours (take your pick)

9:15am to 3:15pm, Buses are running every 1 hour

• Meeting Point You may board the bus at any of the designated stops.

You may get off at any of the designated stops.

• Tour around Perth and Kings Park on an iconic open-top, double-decker bus
• See major Perth attractions at your own pace with this hop-on, hop-off tour
• Enjoy panoramic views of Perth’s city attractions, the Swan River and the downtown skyline from the bus
• The bus covers the major shopping centres in Perth
• Choose between a 24-hour and 48-hour hop-on, hop-off ticket
• Both printed or smartphone vouchers accepted!

The Perth and Kings Park Hop-On, Hop-Off tour grants you the flexibility to tour around Perth and King’s Park at your own pace. You may hop off at any bus stop that spikes your interest, spend quality sightseeing time at the destination and then hop back on the next bus on the loop.

Likewise, you may also choose to sit back and enjoy the stunning panoramic views of the top attractions from the open-topped, double-decker bus without interruption. You have the option to choose from a 24-hour and a 48-hour hop-on, hop-off ticket.

Enjoy professional and informative commentary in multiple languages and a special English audio commentary for children. The hop-on, hop-off bus will also pass by some of the major city’s leading shopping malls, giving you the opportunity to indulge in some retail therapy and enjoy great bargains.

MAJOR ATTRACTIONS COVERED

• Kings Park Botanical Gardens
• Northbridge
• Crown Perth
• Elizabeth Quay
• The Bell Tower
• The Perth Mint
• The Swan River
• The Museum and Art Gallery
• Perth Town Hall
• 24/48 hour Hop-on, hop-off ticket
• Commentary in English; French; German; Spanish; Italian; Malay; Indonesian; Mandarin; Japanese; Korean; Hindi 
• English channel commentary for children
• Exclusive Kings Park Access
• Entrance to the attractions

Useful downloads

Please note.

Voucher information: You can show your voucher on your smartphone (But if you’d rather print a copy – that’s fine too!)

Wheelchair accessibility:  Yes. We have wheelchair ramps on our buses.

Perth is a functioning city and weather, traffic and events may occasionally cause disruption.

Customer Reviews

Robyn manley.

All turned out very good and enjoyed the experience.

Jemma Newman

Tour was informative and well done

Jane Bertelsen

Well worth the money. Comnentary excellent

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Perth, Scotland

Article about Perth for mature travellers includes references to Scotland and the Scottish isles. Small group tours for senior couples and solo travellers that include Perth, Edinburgh , Glasgow to support your travel plans.

27 Jul 21 · 4 mins read

Perth, which lies elegantly on the River Tay, regained its city status in 2012. Once thought to be the ancient capital of Scotland , Perth built its fortune on weaving, fishing and brewing industries, giving the country two of its most famous whiskies, Dewars and Bells. Often called the ‘Fair City’, Perth is home to beautiful architecture, interesting galleries, vibrant restaurants, an intriguing and unique history and gorgeous surrounding scenery. It takes just over an hour on public transport to get to the city from both Edinburgh and Glasgow. It is only 20 minutes from Dundee by train.

What to See in Perth

One of Perth’s most regal attractions is Scone Palace, a Category A listed historic house built of red sandstone with a castellated roof. The palace is steeped in history – for nearly 1000 years it was the crowning place of Scottish monarchs , making it one of the most important castles in Scotland. This is made reference to in Shakespeare’s Macbeth when, after Macbeth’s death, Malcolm says ‘So thanks to all at once and to each one, whom we invite to see us crowned at Scone.’ The original palace was rebuilt in the mid-19th century in preparation for the visit of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. With this, it was transformed into the elegant and luxurious Georgian mansion one sees today. The castle is open to the public between April and October, with the option of touring the palace at one’s own speed or being part of a group tour.

Housed in the impressive Balhousie Castle is the Black Watch Museum, a museum which tells the fascinating story of Scotland’s elite military regiment , the Black Watch, whose history stretches back almost three centuries from 1739. The museum looks at the pivotal moments in history which the regiment were a part of from the First and Second World Wars to more recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Fergusson Gallery is in a circular cast-iron building that was once a waterworks and is home to an extensive collection of paintings by the Scottish colourist JD Fergusson . The art gallery also offers an insight into his relationship with the well-regarded Scottish dancer, Margaret Morris. Morris is regarded as a pioneer of modern dance and the gallery also exhibits photos of her work.

St John’s Kirk is the oldest building still standing in Perth, making it one of the architecturally and historically significant buildings in the city. The original church was built around the 12th-century but there is archaeological evidence to suggest there was a church on the site up to three centuries earlier. The heart of King Alexander III was buried at the church in 1286, after his tragic death (he was killed while riding his horse to Fife, his body was found on the beach at Kinghorn). The church fell into disrepair in the mid-12th century and the majority of the present church was constructed between 1440 and 1500. It continues to be a centrepiece of the city’s skyline today and remains an active parish church of the Church of Scotland. Visitors are welcome to wander around the church whenever a Church Officer is present.

Given Perth’s reputation as the home of Dewars and Bells, a visit to a whisky distillery is a must. Dewar’s Distillery is situated in Aberfeld, in the heart of Highland Perthshire, an hour or so out of Perth. The distillery has been producing single malt whisky since 1898 and there are tours, tasting sessions and a heritage exhibition to be enjoyed. The Glenturret is Scotland’s oldest working distillery and has been making Scottish whisky since 1775. Visitors can experience the traditional whisky making experience, eat at the on-site restaurant and enjoy tasting sessions.

Perth’s city centre boasts plenty of amazing bars and restaurants serving hearty Scottish fare. Expect to enjoy juicy scallops, beef from the Scottish Highlands and delicious fruit and veg thanks to the area’s fertile soil. Perth’s compact size means that it is great city to explore on foot and you can walk around to most of the main sights easily. A wander along the banks of the River Tay is also a pleasant activity.

If you’re interested in seeing Perth, please have a look at our tours that visit the city. Our Scottish Whisky and Other Wonders of Scotland Tour spends two nights in Perth, as does our History of the Jacobites tour.

Articles about Scotland published by Odyssey Traveller

The following list of articles published by odyssey Traveller for mature aged and senior travellers to maximise their knowledge and enjoyment of Scotland when visiting;

Visiting Scotland

• Scotland & Scotch Whisky
• Country Spotlight; Scotland

For all the articles published on Scotland by Odyssey Traveller, please click through on this link to view.

External articles about the City of Edinburgh and Scotland for travellers.

• History of Edinburgh castle
• Everything to know about Scotch Whisky
• Overview of Scottish history
• Chronology of the Jacobites
• James Stuart; A pretender

We also publish articles to give more information to our loyal and prospective clients. You can start by reading our our country spotlight on Scotland.

Updated July 2021

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Unique Adventure Tours Scotland

Address 24 Churchill Court Aberfeldy Perthshire PH15 2AT

Phone 07843434682

Email [email protected]

www.uniqueadventuretoursscotland.co.uk/

• About Perth

Eat & Drink

Getting Around

• Neighbourhoods

Walking Tours

If you love to walk and want to discover Perth city’s icons, arts and cultural history our walking tours could be just the ticket. With a variety of guided or self-guided tours, there's something for everybody.  

Download the Perth Trails App 

Download the app.

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FREE Guided City Tours  

Knowledgeable volunteer Tour Guides offer free 90-minute orientation, history and art tours from the Perth City Visitor Kiosk. To register for a group tour of over 15 people, please email [email protected] or phone (08) 9461 3333. Two weeks' notice is required for group bookings, and tours are subject to volunteer availability.   Please note that our qualified iCity volunteer tour guides are not available on public holidays, and tours may be cancelled due to unfavourable weather conditions, low numbers, or subject to volunteer availability.

Self-guided Walking Tours

With a range of self-guided tours on offer you can discover architecture and City visionaries on ‘Icons of Influence’, the ups and downs of the local economy with ‘The Big Boom’ and the history of Perth with ‘Convicts and Colonials’.

You can also get creative on the ‘Art City’ walking tour or discover our Indigenous roots on the ‘This City is Whadjuk Country’ tour.

Get your walking shoes ready…

These self-guided trails can take up to two hours. 

You can join in or depart from the trail anywhere along the way. The trail intersects with the city’s free CAT buses servicing East Perth, Northbridge, West Perth, central Perth and the foreshore (except Good Friday, ANZAC Day and Christmas Day).

Although the Swan River Colony was established as a free settlement in 1829, convict transportation was introduced in 1850 to answer the demand for a cheap and plentiful supply of labour for the small population.

The introduction of these reluctant immigrants caused much debate and controversy amongst the residents, who feared that their free colony would be forever tainted by the convict class. Whilst convict transport lasted only 18 years, the legacy of this period is embedded in the streets of the city and the folklore of the State.

Visit our interactive online map or  download PDF

When John Septimus Roe, naval officer, surveyor and explorer, first laid out the City of Perth in 1829, he envisaged a powerful city at the centre of a strong economy. St Georges Terrace was the focus of this design, a broad avenue running parallel to the shores of the majestic Swan River. Today, St Georges Terrace continues its role as the city’s powerhouse. Follow this trail to discover the history of the city through its iconic places of influence. As you walk along, keep your eyes out for plaques placed in the pavement that recognise the many people who have influenced the growth of Perth and Western Australia.

This historical walk through Perth city will highlight the ‘boom’ created by gold and the surge of growth, wealth and prosperity in Western Australia that followed. The City’s population swelled from 8,500 to over 27,000 in a decade and it seemed Perth would ‘bust’ as this remote town turned into a buzzing cosmopolitan city.

Public art can stimulate thinking, deepen sense of place and transform how we engage with spaces. Within Perth city there are more than 200 public artworks reflecting the city’s identity, both past and present. This curated art trail includes a selection of public artworks that showcase our evolving CBD. Immerse yourself in our city.

Visit our interactive online map or download PDF

The City of Perth’s 28 parks and reserves are located on Whadjuk Nyoongar boodja (country) and we acknowledge that the Whadjuk Nyoongar people are the traditional custodians of the land on which these parks and reserves have been created. The City’s beautifully curated green open spaces cover one tenth of the city area and combine heritage, public art and water features to offer a break from the bustle of city life. Take some time out to experience the tranquility of Perth’s open spaces.

Download PDF

Built between 1867 and 1870, the Perth Town Hall is a landmark and an important building in Perth’s history, unique in several ways. It is the only major Australian town hall designed in a Medieval style. It is also the only Australian town hall built by convicts, providing evidence of their workmanship and technical skills which, during this time, were superior to those of free citizens. From the beginning, it was conceived not as Council offices, but as a venue for civic events, private and community gatherings and celebrations. Major works completed in 2005 restored the Town Hall to its place as a popular Perth venue for the new century.

Rumour has it there is a secret hidden in the City of Perth. We’ve code-named it Point Zero. To discover this secret, we need a clever team of investigators to follow the clues and crack the code.

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to find the 12 hidden coded messages in our City’s streets – each one on a blue plaque set in the ground.

To discover the secret of Point Zero, you need to decode all the messages.

Download your trail map here

The first of two Karla Yarning maps, This city is Whadjuk country, explores Whadjuk Nyoongar history before the arrival of white settlers in 1829. On this walk participants will get a feel for the way Whadjuk people lived before white settlement.

The second Karla Yarning map, Fighting for families, country, rights and recognition, explores Aboriginal history in Perth after 1829. On this walk, participants can learn about important events and developments including the resistance of Whadjuk leaders Midgegooroo and his son Yagan in the 1830s, the Prohibited Area zone in place between 1927-1954, Aboriginal protest rallies held in the 1930s and 1940s and the establishment of important Aboriginal organisations.

The Claisebrook Village Art Trail has been curated by local artist, Andrew Hawes. As a parent and grandfather, he appreciates that families have different needs to other groups and has hand painted 160 small gecko sculptures that also acts as a 'treasure trail.' Follow the gecko pointers and pavement stickers for an artists eye view of our Village. See how many geckos you can find!

For more information and to download the guide click here .

Discover East Perth

Historic Heart of Perth Inc is a community organisation who excel in all things East Perth. 

The Historic Heart of Perth is an area spanning from Barrack Street in the west to Hill Street in the east.  The name ‘Historic Heart’ is designed to bring together the history of the urban environment (Historic) and the community and natural environment (Heart). It is the premise that the physical and cultural landscapes are intertwined - a city is not just about buildings but about people and their experiences within it.

Checkout all the East Perth highlights and hidden gems .

• Convicts and Colonials Walking Trail 2.99 MB | PDF Document
• Icons of Influence Walking Trail 2.4 MB | PDF Document
• The Big Boom Walking Trail 4.9 MB | PDF Document
• Art City Walking Trail 3.92 MB | PDF Document
• Parks & Gardens Walking Trail 2.97 MB | PDF Document
• Perth Town Hall Walking Trail 2.54 MB | PDF Document
• Secret of Point Zero Trail Map 1.48 MB | PDF Document
• This City is Whadjuk Country Walking Trail 6.8 MB | PDF Document
• Fighting for Families, Country, Rights and Recognition Walking Trail 7.37 MB | PDF Document
• Travel Tips

Danjoo Kaartdijin: Together Knowledge

Dispersed across Perth lies deep untold stories living in the four walls of many iconic Perth buildings.

This story map will uncover the chilling secrets of their past. Listen as Aboriginal people speak about the places in Perth which have shaped their lives.

Based on oral history interviews from the City of Perth's Cultural Collections.

Find out more

Discover Kings Park and Western Australian Botanic Garden

Discover kings park .

Daily free 1.5hr (1.5 km) guided walk through the Botanic Garden to discover Western Australia’s diverse native flora and learn how it has adapted to the harsh environment.  10.00am and 1.00pm every day except Christmas Day.  No booking required. To join a walk, meet at the Free Guided Walk signpost at the bottom of the steps outside the Visitor Information Centre.

Seasonal Walks  

During Winter and Spring guided walks explore spectacular flora in the natural environments of the Kings Park bushland.  Walks range from up to 2 hours (3 km) on the raised paths of the Bushland Nature Trail through to a 3 hour (6km) wander along hidden bushland paths that take visitors deep into the Heart of the Park. Bushland walks are free but may require booking. 

Themed walks

At certain times throughout the year walks celebrate special botanical events (eg National Eucalypt Day); historical events (eg International Women’s Day) and people connected to the park (eg May Gibbs). Themed walks are free but require booking. 

Walks by Request

Tours can be tailored to the interests of community, tour or workplace groups comprising ten or more people. Bookings are required and a small charge is payable.

Other Perth Tours

Oh Hey WA run fun and informative walking tours to help you discover hidden gems you would never find on your own! Join a tour with their friendly guides to explore Perth's history, architecture, street art and nightlife and hear quirky stories and fun facts along the way. Check out their  tours here .

Hidden de Tours

Hidden deTours offer unique and well-crafted bus and walking tours in Perth and beyond for locals and visitors to this beautiful city and its surrounds. Hidden gems are ready for the taking on each tour, as they explore Perth like no other. Check out their tours here.

Visit Perth