Perth is the administrative centre of the Perth and Kinross council area and is the historic county town of Perthshire.
There has been a settlement at Perth since prehistoric times. It is a natural mound raised slightly above the flood plain of the Tay at a place where the river could be crossed on foot at low tide. The area surrounding the modern city is known to have been occupied for more than 8,000 years.
Perth was well established by the 12th century, a burgh in 1106 and a royal burgh in 1210.
Perth was taken by Edward I of England in 1298, who strengthened its fortifications. It was retaken by Robert I (the Bruce) in 1313 during the fourth of the town’s seven sieges. The English held it again from 1335 to 1339.
Close to Perth is Scone Palace, which formerly housed the Stone of Scone (also known as the Stone of Destiny), on which the King of Scots were traditionally crowned. This enhanced the early importance of the city and Perth became known as a "capital" of Scotland due to the frequent residence there of the royal court. Royal burgh status was given to the city in the early 12th century. The city became one of the richest burghs in the country, engaging in trade with France, the Low Countries, and the Baltic countries, and importing goods such as Spanish silk and French wine.
The 1701 Act of Settlement brought about Jacobite uprisings. The city was occupied by Jacobite supporters on three occasions: in 1689, 1715 and 1745.
Perth has been known as "The Fair City" since the publication of the novel Fair Maid of Perth by Scottish writer Sir Walter Scott in 1828. During the later medieval period the city was also called St John's Toun or Saint Johnstoun by its inhabitants-a reference to its principal church, which was dedicated to St John the Baptist. This name is preserved in the name of the city's football club, St Johnstone F.C. The city often refers to itself using the promotional nickname "Gateway to the Highlands", a reference to its location. Perth is twinned with Aschaffenburg, in the German state of Bavaria, and there are several places in the world named after Scotland's Perth, including Perth, Western Australia; Perth, Tasmania, Australia; Perth, Ontario, Canada; and Perth Amboy, New Jersey, United States.
Perth developed from an initial plan of two parallel streets: High Street and South Street, linked by several vennels leading north and south. South Street was originally terminated at its eastern end by Gowrie House (site of today's Perth Sheriff Court). Upon its demolition in the early 19th century, direct access was granted to the river.
King James I of Scotland was assassinated in Perth in 1437, by followers of Walter Stewart, Earl of Atholl, at Blackfriars church.
In May 1559, John Knox instigated the Scottish Reformation at grass-roots level with a sermon against 'idolatry' in the burgh kirk of St John the Baptist. An inflamed mob quickly destroyed the altars in the kirk, and attacked the Houses of the Greyfriars and Blackfriars, and the Carthusian Priory. The regent of infant Mary, Queen of Scots, her mother Marie de Guise, was successful in quelling the rioting but presbyterianism in Perth remained strong. Perth played a part in the Covenanting struggle and Perth was sacked for two days by Royalist troops after the Battle of Tippermuir in 1644. In 1651, Charles II was crowned at nearby Scone Palace, the traditional site of the investiture of Kings of Scots. That same year, Oliver Cromwell came to Perth following his victory in the Battle of Dunbar and established a fortified citadel on the South Inch, one of five occupation forts built to control Scotland.
Today, Perth serves as a retail centre for the surrounding area with a pedestrianised high street and many independent and specialist shops. The city also has "an embarrassing abundance of public houses". Main employers in the city now include Aviva, Royal Bank of Scotland and Scottish and Southern Energy.
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