Perth will turn back the clock this weekend to celebrate the 750th anniversary of the Treaty of Perth.
The Treaty was signed on July 2, 1266 by Magnus VI of Norway and King Alexander III of Scotland at the Blackfriars monastery on the northern edge of the city
It marked the end of conflict between Scotland and Norway over the sovereignty of the Hebrides and the Isle of Man.
It saw the King of Norway cede the Western Isles and the Isle of Man to the Scottish Crown and brought about 750 years of peace between the two nations.
Sunday’s special family day will celebrate both Norse and Scots culture through music, art, storytelling, re-enactments and displays.
Proceedings will get under way at 11am with local bands leading a spectacular parade from the South Inch, along Tay Street, to the North Inch.
The local Perth and District Pipe Band will be joined by others including members of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. This will culminate in a mini-tattoo offering a 50-minute sample of the internationally-renowned pageant.
A variety of medieval fayre acts will then follow in Perth city centre.
One of the highlights will be Clanadonia – regular performers on Sauchiehall Street in Glasgow – who will be out in force along the streets of Perth entertaining the masses with their passionate, and hairy, sound of Scotland.
Birlinn Jiarg will also be performing with its combination of whistle, concertina, clarinet, flute, guitar and bouzouki playing. . The quartet was brought together by multi-instrumentalist Beccy Hurst to perform the traditional Manx music she grew up with as well as her own compositions.
Family activities will include an interactive pigment paints exhibition which will create a large 12th century-style painting on the day.
Wordsmith Crafts, together with the Cluaran heritage boat project, will be demonstrating historical blacksmithing skills and provide an opportunity to experience the wonder of a 6 metre clinker build wooden boat.
Auchingarrich Wildlife Centre will also be joining in the fun with a mini petting zoo of local wildlife and farm animals.
The living history group Medieval Methil will give a taste of history through education, display and experimental archaeology, whilst the Knights of Monymusk will bring history to life with its demonstration of skills using weapons, armour, musical instruments and much more from the 10th-13th centuries.
Events this weekend will also mark the 60th anniversary of Perth’s twinning with Aschaffenburg, Germany; 25 years twinning with Cognac, France and Pskov, Russia and 15 years twinning with Perth, Ontario, Canada.
Perth provost Liz Grant said she was “absolutely thrilled” the city was hosting this prestigious event.
It is hoped the tattoo will help strengthen Perth’s bid for City of Culture status, which is being formally launched today.
*Treaty of Perth celebrations – North Inch/South Inch.Perth city centre
