Perth (Regno Unito): differenze tra le versioni

Versione delle 22:59, 24 giu 2008

Versione delle 14:29, 30 giu 2008

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==Name==

[[ImageImmagine:PerthStJohnStreet.jpg|thumb|right|St. John Street]]

The name ''Perth'' derives from a [[Pictish language|Pictish]] word for ''wood'' or ''copse'', and links the town to the [[Picts]] described by the Romans, who subsequently joined with the [[Scottish People|Scots]] to form the kingdom of [[Alba]] which later became known as Scotland. During much of the medieval period the town was known colloquially as "St. John's Toun" because the church at the centre of the parish was dedicated to St. [[John the Baptist]]. It stands on St. John Street. In addition, the town's original name is still preserved in the town's [[football (soccer)|football]] club, [[St. Johnstone F.C.|St. Johnstone]].

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===12th and 13th centuries===

[[ImageImmagine:741213 247ca8cc.jpg|thumb|right|Oliphant's Vennel's street sign]]

King [[David I of Scotland|David I]] (1124-53) granted [[burgh]] status to the town in the early [[12th century]], and documents from this time refer to the status of the [[kirk]] there. Many of the records taken from this time were the result of the arrival of the [[Dominican Order|Dominicans]] or Blackfriars; [[Blackfriars, Perth]], was established by [[Alexander II of Scotland|Alexander II]] (1214-49) by [[1240]]. In the 12th and 13th centuries, Perth was one of the richest trading burghs in the kingdom (along with such towns as [[North Berwick|Berwick]], [[Aberdeen]] and [[Roxburgh]]), residence of numerous craftsmen, organised into guilds (eg the Hammermen [metalworkers] or Glovers). There was probably some decline in prosperity during the numerous wars of the 14th century. The town also carried out an extensive trade with the Continent, and examples of foreign luxury goods have been recovered from excavations within the town (e.g., Spanish silk, fine pottery from France; wine will also have been a major import, not least for the use of the Church). The main destinations were France, the Low Countries and the Baltic. Medieval crafts are still remembered in some of the town's old street names, e.g, Skinnergate, Cutlog Vennel.

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In the medieval period, Perth was part of the diocese of [[St Andrews]].

[[ImageImmagine:Fair Maid.jpg|thumb|right|A bronze statue of a seated [[Fair Maid of Perth|Fair Maid]] in the High Street]]

[[1396]] brought the theatre of [[trial by combat]] to Perth. The [[Battle of the Clans]] pitted [[Clan]] Chattan against Clan Cameron, each thirty strong, at the town's [[Perth, Scotland#North Inch|North Inch]]. This 'tournament' (actually an attempt to resolve a disruptive Highland feud) took place under the gaze of [[Robert III of Scotland|King Robert III]] ([[1390]]-[[1406]]) and his court, who watched the spectacle from the ''Gilten Arbour'', a garden attached to the House of the [[Blackfriars, Perth|Blackfriars]]. Although records vary, Clan Chattan is understood to have won the battle, with the last of their opponents fleeing to safety across the Tay. This combat is a central incident in [[Walter Scott|Sir Walter Scott]]'s novel ''[[The Fair Maid of Perth]]''.

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===Late 18th century to present===

[[ImageImmagine:Rose Terrace.jpg|thumb|right|The Old Academy in Rose Terrace]]

In [[1760]], Perth Academy was founded, and major industry came to the town, now with a population of 15,000. [[Linen]], [[leather]], [[bleach]]ed products and [[whisky]] were its major exports, although the town had been a key [[port]] for centuries. In 1804, [[Thomas Dick]] received an invitation from local patrons to act as teacher in the Secession school at [[Methven, Perth and Kinross|Methven]] that led to a ten year's residence there for him. The school was distinguished by efforts on his part towards popular improvement, including a zealous promotion of the study of science, the foundation of a ''people's library'', and what was substantially a mechanic's institute. Under the name ''Literary and Philosophical Societies, adapted to the middling and lower ranks of the community'', the extension of such establishments was recommended by him in five papers published in the ''Monthly Magazine'' in 1814. The Perth Royal Infirmary was built in [[1814]], although the town remained unsanitary for decades including a [[cholera]] epidemic in the [[1830s]]. Piped water and gas became available in the [[1820s]], and electricity in [[1901]].

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===Bridges===

[[ImageImmagine:St. Matthew's Church and Smeaton's Bridge.jpg|thumb|right|[[Smeaton's Bridge]], with St. Matthew's Church, on Tay Street, on the left, looking north from Queen's Bridge.]]

There are four bridges that cross the [[River Tay]] in Perth. The northernmost structure is [[Smeaton's Bridge]] (also known as Perth Bridge and, locally, the Old Bridge), completed in 1771 and widened in 1869, which carries the automotive and pedestrian traffic of West Bridge Street (the [[A85 road|A85]]). Eastbound vehicles are not permitted to make a right turn onto Bridgend's Gowrie Street.<ref name="bridges">[http://www.perfectperth.com/index.asp?pg=60 PerfectPerth.com]</ref>

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==Economy==

[[ImageImmagine:741230 fa40c97d.jpg|thumb|left|The old High Street]]

[[ImageImmagine:Perth High Street.jpg|thumb|right|And the pedestrianised modern High Street]]

Despite the downfall of the whisky [[distilling|distilleries]], which have long since been sold off and moved away from Perth (although the town's name still appears on the labels), Perth has remained a centre for doing business. New high-tech industry has moved in, and the commercial impact has remained as major services, including [[insurance]] and [[banking]], have come to the town. Amongst the largest employers are [[Norwich Union]], the [[Bank of Scotland]] and Scottish and Southern Energy.

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[[St. Johnstone F.C.|St. Johnstone]] is the town's professional [[football (soccer)|football]] club. Their home ground is [[McDiarmid Park]], which is located on Crieff Road on the west side of the town. The team used to play at Muirton Park on the Dunkeld Road, five minutes from the town centre, but the ground was sold in the early 1990s to the [[ASDA]] chain. Perth's first [[McDonald's]] Restaurant and Drive-Thru was built adjacent to the supermarket.

[[ImageImmagine:England and Scotland 205.jpg|thumb|left|The main entrance to Bell's Sports Centre, with its dome visible on the right]]

There are two other football clubs based in Perth, both of [[Scottish Junior Football Association|junior]] grade: [[Jeanfield Swifts F.C.|Jeanfield Swifts]] and [[Kinnoull F.C.|Kinnoull]].

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There is a large sports complex, [[Bell's Sports Centre]], to the northwest of the town centre, at the western edge of the North Inch. Prior to the building of the Greenwich Dome, it was the largest domed building in the UK. An identical structure exists at [[Lexington High School (Massachusetts)|Lexington High School]] in [[Lexington, Massachusetts]], [[United States|USA]].

[[ImageImmagine:England and Scotland 204.jpg|thumb|right|The North Inch home of Perthshire RFC]]

Perth hosts Scotland's largest [[volleyball]] event every May - the Scottish Open Volleyball Tournament. There is a highly-competitive indoor competition held inside Bell's Sports Centre alongside both a competitive and fun outdoor event played on the town's North Inch. Teams competing traditionally camp alongside the outdoor courts with the campsite being administered by local [[cadet]]s. The Scottish Volleyball Association's annual general meeting is also held at the same time as tournament.

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The [[New Wave (music)|New Wave]] band [[Fiction Factory]] had some success with their hit "(Feels Like) Heaven" in 1984. The song, which reached number six in the UK charts, would be their biggest hit, and Perth's biggest to date.

[[ImageImmagine:Perth Concert Hall, Perth, Scotland.jpg|thumb|right|Perth Concert Hall, completed in 2005.]]

The [http://www.perthfestival.co.uk Perth Festival of the Arts] is an annual collection of [[art]], [[theatre]], [[opera]] and [[european classical music|classical music]] events in the town. The annual event lasts for a couple of weeks and is usually held in May. In recent years, the festival has broadened its appeal by adding [[comedy]], [[rock music|rock]] and [[popular music]] acts to the bill.

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===North Inch===

[[ImageImmagine:North Inch.jpg|thumb|right|The North Inch, looking southeast towards the city centre]]

The North Inch is located directly to the north of the city centre. It is bordered to the south by Charlotte Street and Atholl Street and to the southwest by Rose Terrace. Its western perimeter consists of part of the exercise path that circumnavigates the entire park. The River Tay bounds it to the east. A little further to the north is the Inch's eponymous golf course.

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==Tourism==

[[ImageImmagine:The River Tay and Friarton bridge.jpg|thumb|Eastern outskirts of Perth viewed from Craigie Hill. The [[River Tay]] and [[Friarton Bridge]] are both visible]]

Perth has a number of popular [[architecture|architectural]] and historical attractions, most notably [[Scone Palace]] and St. John's Kirk. It is also the centre of the regimental [[Black Watch]] whose base is located on Dunkeld Road, near ASDA, and whose museum is located inside [[Balhousie Castle]]. The Castle, of medieval origins, and the seat of the Eviot family, was extensively altered and enlarged in the [[19th century]], and retains little of its original character.