The Gask Ridge, to the west of Perth, is the location of a series of Roman forts, fortlets and watchtowers which make up what was the earliest and most northerly frontier of the Roman Empire. Starting at Ardoch, described as one of the best-preserved earth and timber forts in the Empire, this tour visits a number of sites which lie along the Gask Ridge and discusses what life was like on the frontier over 1,800 years ago. Grade of walk: Easy (approx. 0.5kms). FREE, but pre-booking required. Bring a packed lunch. To book contact Steven Timoney, PKHT (01738) 477089.

Event Time: 1000 - 1600
Location: The Lodge, 4 York Place, Perth

Event category: Walks    

Join local historian Rhoda Fothergill of Perthshire Society of Natural Science on this guided walk of Perth. Beginning at the City Mills, the tour will visit sites and buildings in the historic south of the burgh, including King James VI Hospital, before ending at Marshall Place and the South Inch. This walk can be enjoyed on its own, or as part of a series of three walks running through the summer. Grade of walk: Easy (approx. 1km). FREE, but pre-booking essential. To book, contact Steven Timoney, PKHT (01738) 477089.

Event Time: 1400 - 1530

Event category: Walks    

These buildings are two of Strathtay’s best kept secrets. Camserney longhouse is one of a number of buildings which made up an 18th century farming settlement or ‘fermtoun’. St Mary’s, dating from the mid-16th century, is a rare example of a pre-Reformation chapel. The featureless barn-like exterior belies an extraordinary interior, with its finely painted wooden ceiling, featuring biblical and heraldic panels. Grade of tour: Easy. FREE, but pre-booking required. To book contact Steven Timoney, PKHT (01738) 477089.

Event Time: 1000 - 1500

Event category: Walks    

Abernethy was one of the centres of the early Christian church in Scotland and an important Pictish settlement, later becoming a burgh in 1458. This tour led by Bill Drever and Jimmy Swan, members of the Auld Abernethy Association, begins in Abernethy Churchyard, and will include a climb up to the top of the Abernethy Round Tower. Built in the 11th century, the tower is one of two surviving examples in Scotland. The core of Abernethy consists of 18th and 19th century houses built on a medieval ‘herringbone’ plan and has been designated a Conservation Area. The tour will conclude at the Museum of Abernethy – a small museum with exhibits relating to the social and economic history of Abernethy parish. Grade of walk: Easy. FREE, but pre-booking required. To book contact Steven Timoney, PKHT (01738) 477089.

Event Time: 1430 - 1600

Event category: Walks    

Cupmarked stones are mysterious remnants of prehistoric life found throughout Scotland, and the area around Loch Tay contains a remarkable concentration of these rocks. This tour visits a range of these enigmatic stones, including those at Lundin and Mains of Murthly stone circles, and asks: What do they mean? Grade of tour: Easy (walking around 1km). FREE, but pre-booking required. To book contact Steven Timoney, PKHT (01738) 477089.

Event Time: 1000 - 1530

Event category: Walks    

The Strathearn Environs and Royal Forteviot (SERF) project run by the Department of Archaeology, University of Glasgow is a long-term programme of excavation and research centred on the village of Forteviot, Perthshire. At Forteviot there is the remarkable combination of an extensive series of prehistoric monuments and the earliest attested evidence for a royal site in Scotland. Excavations this year will be carried out on part of the prehistoric complex of monuments and will also target a variety of sites in the wider landscape, including one of Strathearn’s hillforts. Visitors to the Open Day will be able to see the excavations in progress and will be led on free site tours of the archaeology. There will also be a small display area at the site offices. For more information on the project visit: www.gla.ac.uk/departments/archaeology/research/projects/serf For volunteer opportunities contact Steven Timoney: stimoney@pkc.gov.uk

Event Time: 1030 – 1530
Location: Forteviot

Event category: Event    

Meet at the Coupar Angus and District Heritage Association, 8 George St Coupar Angus for a walking tour of the town, taking in its ecclesiastical origins as the richest Cistercian Abbey in Scotland to its later Georgian and Victorian development. The walk will also highlight the Townscape Heritage Initiative, an ongoing scheme to regenerate the town by repairing its historic buildings. Grade of walk: Easy (approx 2 kms). FREE (donations to CADHA welcome). No booking required. For further information please contact Ron MacDonald (CADHA) 01828 626244.

Event Time: 1400 - 1500
Location: Coupar Angus and District Heritage Association, 8 George St Coupar Angus

Event category: Walks    

The fort sits as a crown on Barry Hill overlooking Glen Isla and Strathmore. This walk visits the fort, looking at its construction and redevelopment over a number of periods. Find out about the changing use of the hill as well as myths which have developed linking the fort to Arthurian legend and a burial mound in the graveyard at Meigle. Grade of walk: Moderate (c1.5km). FREE, but pre-booking required. To book contact Steven Timoney, PKHT (01738) 477089.

Event Time: 1000 - 1300

Event category: Walks    

Join Dr Lindsay Lennie, author of the newly published The Historic Shopfronts of Perth booklet, on this absorbing walk. Crieff is Strathearn’s largest town and retains numerous historic shopfronts dating from the late 19th to the interwar period. This walk discovers the fascinating architectural history of Crieff’s retailing past and considers the importance of key materials like glass and cast-iron in the changing face of shopping in the town. Grade of walk: Easy (approx. 1.5km) although includes steep section of King Street. FREE, but pre-booking essential. To book, contact Steven Timoney, PKHT (01738) 477089.

Event Time: 1400 - 1530

Event category: Walks    

Come along to the AK Bell Library in Perth and find out how to trace your Family History in both the Archives and the Local Studies Departments before hopping on the bus and visiting the Registrars, Perth Museum, the Black Watch Museum and Wellshill cemetery. The bus is free and will be travelling around the venues every hour (there is no obligation to visit every stop). Over the five venues a range of demonstrations, talks and exhibitions will be provided. Among the many different events, there will be free computer demonstrations of online family history resources, information on looking for relatives abroad and even details of how to trace the history of your house! Please see the library website for our latest leaflet which gives details of all the activities that will be taking place on the day: http://www.pkc.gov.uk/Education+and+learning/Libraries+archives+and+learning+centres/Libraries+-+news+and+events/Libraries+-+events/Family+History+Day+2008.htm

Event Time: 10am - 4pm
Location: AK Bell Library, Perth

Event category: Event