The Moat that Protected Perth

The fair city of Perth, once Scotland's capital city, known as St Johnston up until the 17th century. Occupied by English forces during the wars of Scottish independence, retaken by Robert the Bruce in 1313, and in the 18th century a Jacobite stronghold where Prince Charles Edward Stuart held a council of war before the Battle of Culloden. Perth, the fairest city of them all.
In today's video we follow the course of the old town wall and lade. Except it wasn't really a lade. I mean, in some places it was, in that it was a water channel that drove the huge wooden water wheels of any number of mills. But on the south side of the old town of Perth this moat, if that's what you want to call it, was much wider and was indeed a canal, and in all probability used by barges loading and unloading goods.
Most towns and cities in Scotland had town walls. They stopped the bad guys getting in in any number of conflicts and wars, and also controlled who got in and out of the city.
Perth's medieval defences are unusual in that in addition to that wall, originally a wooden palisade probably erected by English soldiers who once occupied the town, there was also a water-filled moat, all around the city. You may call it a water-filled ditch, a moat, a lade, perhaps the King's lade, and even a canal. For in addition to providing additional protection to Perth, the moat also served as a mill-lade that powered any number of mills.
The Fair City of Perth. The fairest city of them all. Let us explore those old watery defences, and wonder what has happened to a city that was once the capital of Scotland.

[@markshrimpton3138]

I loved your one-sided conversation with the Fair Maid and the way people were obviously thinking you weren’t right in the heid. At the end you showed the exterior of The Salutation Hotel, which I think was used as Bonnie Prince Charlie’s headquarters. Charles Dignum, a famous tenor singer and my four times great grandfather, stayed and performed there in 1809, during a tour of Scotland.

[@EdExploresScotland]

That's interesting. Many thanks for that.

[@Robertarcher2035]

Headquarters are reported at the bottom of the high street . ( To be seen though an entrance now ) Trials reports before the hangings at Tyburn say that the accused shook hands with the prince outside the Salutation .

[@colinblack7049]

Hi Ed, Perth is a great city to walk in and drive through, I loved the looks you were getting from the passing locals, who is this auld loony talking tae that statue. But the image of you picking dangleberries is now lodged in my brain for the rest of the night. keep up the good work.

[@EdExploresScotland]

Cheers Colin.

[@yellowfolder]

This has become my favourite KZbin channel over the last month. I particularly like the injection of reflections on current matters or interactions. So much potential with so many historically rich places to be explored.

[@EdExploresScotland]

Thank you. Lots of exploring still to do.

[@iantomlinson6041]

I thought I knew Perth, I was wrong! Thanks for an interesting video once again.

[@EdExploresScotland]

Many thanks Ian.

[@lespaddick6248]

Nice video I live in the city I don't know if you seen it but at the high street end of Skinnergate theres a wonderful medieval map of the town centre and the Canal is clearly visible Great joke about the Turnip by the way

[@EdExploresScotland]

Cheers Les.

[@paulharvey9149]

It might interest you to know that, just above the arch where the lade enters the Tay (best viewed from Perth Bridge at 10:00), there used to be public toilets - behind which part of the retaining wall had a gap in. Although I was too young at the age of no more than 9 or 10 to step inside (not least as it was frequented by the down and outs of the day and quite possibly others that were up to no good), it was possible to make out from the entrance that this led into quite a cavernous space (under the part of Tay Street that rises to meet the bridge's roadway level) through which ran the built-over lade. There was also the sound of rushing water coming from within, suggesting that perhaps a drain pipe or something similar had fractured and was cascading down into this space. In fact, the culverted Balhousie Burn* also joins this lade in that area, and it's possible that the reflection of light I could see inside was from a small pool that had formed perhaps ten feet from the entrance. By the time I was old enough to return alone, the gap in the wall had been repaired and the toilets demolished. [*Balhousie burn runs under Charlotte Street and then follows the perimeter of the North Inch to the footpath behind Barossa Place, along which its course also is - turning another 90 degree angle where this meets Hay Street and then follows that - all in culvert, to the area now occupied by Perth Grammar School. That is why Charlotte Street, the North Inch, Rose Terrace, part of Barossa Place and the flat area around the Bells Sports Centre, are so susceptible to flooding.]

[@EdExploresScotland]

Interesting. Many thanks Paul.

[@williamwilliam5242]

Yet again Mr burns....a fair video...🎉🎉❤❤ Absolutely love it thankyou very much for the content

[@EdExploresScotland]

Cheers William.

[@brycehermon5939]

A very interesting video. Thanks for the history lesson.

[@Teesbrough]

Once more, a fascinating vignette, this time mixed with humour! When I used to commute on trains in London and was sat next to a wannabe Fair Maid applying lipstick and makeup I was always tempted to elbow into them as the carriage lurched over points. Regrettably, I never did.

[@EdExploresScotland]

Cheers Will.

[@alanglasgowbassist]

Very interesting Ed. Never know how much history there was there. Brilliant :-)

[@EdExploresScotland]

Cheers Alan.

[@robertbell2524]

That was a very good video, Ed. You certainly did your homework on the history of Perth which i certainly appreciated. Thanks for that! Did you manage to get into that building in Glasgow which you were interested in?

[@greigmcarthur3821]

Fantastic video once again Ed.👍😊

[@EdExploresScotland]

Thanks Greig.

[@TheROLLER1953]

When i see these ladies putting on the 30 min make- up routine, ed , what i do is pull-out my rechargeable Philips shaver , and start shaving, Gets folk chuckling every time.

[@EdExploresScotland]

I'll try that next time.

[@rabscots910]

I'm sure you can feel the change that is happening in people Ed..... interesting times.

[@tracyfryer8153]

What a video you have a wicked sense of humour which made me laugh loads. Perth is a beautiful place with such a powerful river I'm not surprised mills were many there. Very reminiscent of Canterbury way down south. Thank you ❤

[@EdExploresScotland]

A fair city indeed.

[@auldlangsign3179]

Perth is one of the nicest and cleanest cities I've ever been in. Thanks Ed.

[@EdExploresScotland]

Definitely a lovely place. Sad to see that grand old department store near the Salutation Hotel closed and up for sale.

[@farmstyle92macd55]

Just found your channel looking forward to watching more of your video from glamis in Angus

[@farmstyle92macd55]

Dangle berries 😂😂😂😂

[@EdExploresScotland]

I suspect cattle know a thing or two about dangle-berries.

[@EdExploresScotland]

Many thanks. Hopefully the weather will improve - it's been dire recently - and we can out and about again. 👍

[@1964biggmark]

another town that ive not been in for years lol i need get out more :), good vid cheers

[@EdExploresScotland]

Perth's always worth a visit.

[@gerardrooney4366]

Well Ed another great video of a great Highland City. Love you talking to the Fair Maid and people walking by thinking another old fool. I did the same thing in Melbourne for a laugh. Loved you talking about the young lady on the train you should have said to her "save your money it no working" And as for you Ed what you could do on the train well.....too much info! Maybe a shave I suggest....LOL. It is funny how people do not write anymore with a pen and paper they have lost the skill of using a pen and also the skill or art of verbal conversation with people around them it is all done with the mobile phone. Great music to end your video. Keep them coming.

[@EdExploresScotland]

Thanks Gerard.

[@peterjmhardie8239]

As always ed I do like your dry humour as well as your tales on Scotland in fact I’ve ordered crotch pies as I love in Lancashire now ps great northern beers Regards Scot’s Peter

[@EdExploresScotland]

Cheers Peter.

[@jackmckechnie9831]

Hi Ed, love the videos. Think I saw you walking at the Clyde by the expressway today. Was that you?

[@EdExploresScotland]

Cheers Jack. Yes, that probably was me. Got a seriously sore back at moment, so just trying to walk it off.

[@Muirton66]

The lade has turned into a dumping ground for anything and everything, Perth Council need to get this sorted.

[@lennytheleopard]

Eclectic. I enjoyed it.

[@EdExploresScotland]

Thank you.

[@robertwright4651]

Very enjoyable Ed still a nice town she was a bit stoney faced

[@vermeerofdelftscotlandwalk3294]

A very interesting video! I must pay the visitor centre and the Mercure hotel in Perth a visit.👍

[@EdExploresScotland]

I think the visitor centre is shut at the moment, perhaps due to renovation, but the Mercure Hotel has good views of the lade.

[@rabscots910]

That is a very bonny river....probably similar to how the Clyde looked before it was narrowed in town.

[@bertifrasilmeye995]

Hi fine city , did you do the harmony (duel) guitar at the end or is that programed?

[@EdExploresScotland]

Thanks for your comment. It is my guitar. I struggle sometimes to make music for these videos and wonder if I should use stuff I've used before. Drums, bass guitar, and many other sounds are midi, created by me. Vocal and guitar are played live. I sometimes worry that I don't put enough thought into the final music, because every piece has the potential to be a good tune or song, but as an impatient character I don't dwell on them long enough to bring them to their full potential.

[@bertifrasilmeye995]

Hi,It just reminded me for a few secs of a band I saw at the Apollo 1976... BR and SG playing a....very thin band!ATB@@EdExploresScotland

[@thetimetraveller6550]

Perth fabulous city thats whêre my grảndparents used to live close to Perth is a wee place called logiealmond thâts a great wee plảce and nốt far from Perth anyway great video as always thanks Ed...

[@EdExploresScotland]

Many thanks.

[@bigglesharrumpher4139]

I was thinking - what moat in Perth, Australia? Then I saw it was about the Scotland Perth, named after Perth, Australia.

[@user-ht9jw5mo4s]

We all know what a dangleberry is!

[@georgebarker5274]

Perth lade is a sorry state these days, never maintained and the sluice gate at the river almond that feeds the lade was almost closed tight, so hardly not water running down now which killed thousands or fish and made the lade silt up, and the council and sepa don't seem to care 😢

[@slydermartin6008]

"Rain, Angle Grinders, Women putting on makeup"...First World Troubles that. I feel your pain. As for the "Lass". There are some women that you'll never get through to. Another Good video Ed.

[@EdExploresScotland]

Cheers. 👍

[@josephhenry4725]

She was probably going to the races.

[@slydermartin6008]

She did look "sporty".@@josephhenry4725

[@josephhenry4725]

Ed you missed so much,Knights temple's , St John's hospitals. the founders of the city, St Jons kirk., the house of gowrie, the murder of the king, the biggest clan one day event slaughter on the Norh Inch ,and all the old historic hoteliers ie the salutation Hotel....and the best pie shop anywhere.

[@slydermartin6008]

I think the "Fair Lady" may have clouded his mind. @@josephhenry4725