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BATTLEGROUND PERTHSHIRE is a concise account of the battles and minor military events that have taken place within the county of Perthshire. Comprising two thousand years of battles, raids, rebellions, sieges, riots, feuds, ambushes and skirmishes, Battleground Perthshire shines the spotlight on the military history of Scotland’s big county. Drawn from extensive primary and secondary sources: archives, eyewitness accounts and official records, it tells the fascinating stories of struggles for wealth, power, freedom and the right to self-determination. This chronicle of Perthshire’s military history stands as an important reminder of some of the events that have marked the development of the Scottish people. It will appeal both to the reader interested in the history of Scotland and to those interested in military history.

Battleground Perthshire can be bought from most bookshops in the Perthshire area: The Watermill at Aberfeldy; Sweet Words at Dunkeld; Waterstones - various stores including Perth; WHSmith - Perth and Pitlochry. And, in Perth Museum, the AK Bell Library, Gloagburn Farm Shop, the Brig Farm Shop by Bridge of Earn. Alternatively, it may be purchased for £7.00 with FREE postage and packing to any UK address {Please email for postage costs for locations outside UK}. Send cheque or postal order (payable to Tippermuir Books) to Tippermuir Books, c/o 3 Graham's Place, King Street, Perth, Perth, PH2 8HZ. It can also be bought through most of the UK online (internet) booksellers.

Spanish Thermopylae: Cypriot Volunteers in the Spanish Civil War, 1936-39 SPANISH THERMOPYLÆ is the story of the fifty-seven Cypriots who served in the International Brigades during the Spanish Civil War, 1936-39. It is also the story of a war that defined the lives of a generation and whose outcome decided the fate of hundreds of millions of people across the world. Drawing on recently released records from the Comintern Archive in Moscow, Spanish Thermopylae will appeal both to the reader interested in the experiences of the Cypriot volunteers, and to anyone looking for a concise history of the Spanish Civil War. 'This is the first book devoted solely to the contribution made by Cypriots to the cause of democracy and progress in the Spanish Civil War. It bears witness to the injustice committed against humanity by fascism in Spain and the inspirational sacrifices made by a small band of Cypriot volunteers. Spanish Thermopylae is a fitting tribute to them, and the International Brigades.' Demetris Christofias, President of the Republic of Cyprus 'True to the best traditions of their Greek forefathers, the heroes of the Greek War of Independence, the Cypriots rallied to the support of Spanish democracy and independence, realising that a defeat for the Spanish people would have meant world war. On the Spanish battlefields was being decided the fate of Europe and with it that of Cyprus. They recognised fascism as the greatest enemy of humanity and volunteered to help crush it... Many Cypriots lie buried in the Spanish soil fighting fascism. Cyprus is proud of her heroic sons who fell in the anti-fascist cause, but the fight is not over. We fight on until fascism is destroyed from the face of the earth.' Ezekias Papaioannou, Cypriot International Brigades volunteer and General Secretary of AKEL (1949-88) "Before many years have passed, their own countries will feel equally proud of the volunteers. That will be their best and highest reward." Juan Negrín, Prime Minister of the Spanish Republic (1937-39). It is available from www.amazon.co.uk

 


HISTORY

The Burgh Chambers

These notes are based on lectures given by Rhoda Fothergill - they were made by a local resident of Perth - Alan Darling - and have been passed to this website.

In early times the North Shore, the harbour with its merchant quays was situated at the foot of the High Street. Here too was established the administration centre of the Burgh, a meeting place for the Provost and his council and a storeroom for the Burgh records and charters and the Burgh seal. Close by was the Mercat Cross as this was the trading centre of the town. Here too stood the pillory.

The early bridges at Perth crossed the Tay from the foot of the High Street. In 1210 a flood swept away an early bridge and the Chapel of Our Lady close by. The Chapel was rebuilt some distance from the river and part of it became the Burgh Tolbooth after the Reformation. In 1696, a Council house was built across the High Street. An arched pend led through to the North Shore. A central pend appears to have been a weigh-house and the north pend had a stair leading to the council room above and the court room. Above this pend were carved the following lines:

This house loves peace, hates knaves, crimes punisheth Presevres the laws and good men honoureth

When a new City Chambers building was erected in 1877-79 these words were placed above the door to the Burgh Court Room (Tay Street) and also around the wall frieze of the Court Room itself. Also at the north pend was a warning to debtors:

Think with thyself whilst thou art on the way, And take some course thy creditor to pay. Lest thou by him before a Judge be called, And by an officer be here enthralled Till utmost farthing shall by thee be paid, Thou shalt be close within this prison staid.

The building across the High Street was removed in 1839. In 1839 the Council moved to new quarters on the site of the Tolbooth. The circular tower of the Tolbooth was incorporated in the restored building and the Council Chamber was in that building along with the Burgh Police Office and a “Bridewell”.

In the early 1840s the statue of Sir Walter Scott, now at the South Inch, stood in the High Street outside the City Chambers. In 1875 the old City Chambers were very dilapidated. The proposal was to demolish the building and build a new City Chambers. The new building was designed by local architect Andrew Heiton. He incorporated in his design a Council Room, offices, a Burgh Court Room and a Police Office and Cells.

In 1878, the Foundation Stone of the new Municipal Buildings was laid with full Masonic Honours. A procession of dignitaries came by Canal Street, Princes Street, Marshall Place, King Street, Methven Street, High Street, George Street, and Tay Street to the site at the foot of the High Street. A band headed the procession. Before arrival at the site there was a loud peal of thunder and again during the Rev. Brunton’s Prayer (Middle Church). Lord Kinnoull laid the stone. Inside the stone were placed a glass jar containing 2 gold coins of 20 shillings and 10 shillings, 9 silver coins and 3 bronze coins; copies of the PA and Courier (1878) and the Constitutional (1878) and the Perth Directory (1878); a parchment with the signatures of the Magistrates and a list of Members of the Town Council in 1878; also included a photo of the Old Council Chambers and Police Cells taken in January 1878.

In 1975/6, at regionalisation, the Perth and Kinross District Council bought the GA Office building on the opposite corner of the High Street. This building now houses Town’s and District’s Offices, Council Chamber and meeting rooms.

email: ap@alternative-perth.org