Home to the religious and political capital of Scotland during the middle ages, the area has a legacy of important royal and religious foundations from the Abbey at Coupar Angus, Dunkeld Cathedral, St John's Kirk in Perth and Scone Palace - to the humble pre-Reformation Chapels that mark the path of the pilgrims across Strathearn. Patterns of settlement range from medieval fermtouns, 17th century cruck-framed long-houses and 18th century planned model villages to the romantic, wooded estates, castles, mansions and holiday towns of the Victorians. That culture is epitomised by the grandiose extravagant Gothic of Taymouth Castle (1802-1842) and Blair Castle (1869-71 by David Bryce) and the picturesque architecture of Birnam and Pitlochry, with towers, turrets and finials.

Water was essential for civilisation and settlement and vital for communication and transport was the art of the bridge builder. Three of the most famous bridges from the 18th century span the River Tay: Old Perth Bridge c1766 by Smeaton, the Aberfeldy Bridge on Wades Road, designed by William Adam in 1733 and the Dunkeld Bridge designed in 1809 by Thomas Telford. Industry harnessed the power of the many rivers that flow through Perth and Kinross and brought a wealth of mills from medieval to victorian times with the recently renovated Lower City Mill in Perth, the great textile Mill at Stanley associated with Sir Richard Awkright and the tiny 18th century lint mill at Invervar in Glen Lyon.

A Statutory List of buildings considered to be of special architectural and historic interest is researched, compiled and maintained by Historic Scotland in accordance with the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Act 1997. The list is organised in Council areas and in Perth and Kinross there are over 3000 buildings protected by the statutory designation. Of these over 150 are Listed Category A, which means they are of national importance.