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

St. John's Kirk

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.

1126 - King David I gifted the church to the monks of Dunfermline Abbey.

1189/99 - A Charter of William the Lion. By this charter Henry Bald (goldsmith) receives a portion of land on front of the street that leads from the Church of St. John the Baptist to the Castle of Perth.

1242 - The church is consecrated by Bishop de Bernham.

1286 - Heart of Alexander III is buried in St. John’s Kirk.

1296 - Edward I of England celebrates the feast of St. John in the church.

1328 - Robert the Bruce orders repairs to the church and the bridge at Perth.

1335 - It is said that Edward III of England slew his brother John of Eltham in St. John’s Kirk. (Fordun in Scotichronicon)

c.1448 - new choir was built and stands today.

1511 - The central tower and steeple built.

In the early 16th Century there were about 37-40 altars in St. John’s.

11th May 1559 - John Knox preached in St. John’s Kirk.

1582 - The Wrights' Incorporation was granted permission to have seats in the church.

1596 - Seats were installed for the boys of the Grammar School.

1598 - St. John’s was partitioned and the nave became the West Church in 1618.

1604 - Queen Anne (wife of James VI and I) granted her rights to the church to the Provost and Magistrates of Perth.

1618 - The Five Articles of Perth were sanctioned by the general Assembly of the Church which met in St. John’s Kirk.

1635 - Charles I attended service in St. John’s.

1644 - 800 Covenanting prisoners were held in the church.

1650 - Charles II attended service in St. John’s Kirk.

1745 - Bonnie Prince of Charlie attended service in St. John’s Kirk.

1771/3 - A partition was built between the choir and the transepts to form the East and the Middle Church.

1823 - The north transept was shortened. Halkerston’s Tower was removed.

1874 - A pipe organ was installed in the East Church.

1889 - Andrew Heiton, city architect, put forward plans for the restoration of the church.

1925 - Ownership of the Church was vested in the Trustees of the Church of Scotland.

1926 - Sir Robert Lorimer’s restoration of the church was completed. St. John’s was again just one church. Included in the restoration was the 1914-18 War Memorial.

1936 - A new carillon of 35 bells was installed.