A £27 million investment project in the regeneration of Perth city centre is a step closer to competition as construction concludes on its new museum and former City Hall.
Last year it was announced that the Perth Museum and Art Gallery was to become two separate attractions as part of the extensive redevelopment.
The Perth Museum and Art Gallery was to become the Perth Art Gallery, while Perth’s City Hall, a heritage Edwardian building, would be the home of the new Perth Museum. Construction on the new museum began in 2021.
This week Culture Perth and Kinross, the independent charity that will run the museum, was handed keys to the building by its core funder Perth and Kinross Council.
Thousands of objects are now set to be moved into the new museum, including the Stone of Destiny, also known as the Stone of Scone. Used for centuries to crown Scottish Kings and still used for Coronations, it was most recently seen during the Coronation of King Charles III in May.
It will also display Perth & Kinross’s Recognised Collections of National Significance as well as loans and exhibitions from the UK and abroad. Doors are expected to open next Spring.
Perth and Kinross Council leader Grant Laing said the handover of keys was a “huge moment” and once opened the Perth Museum and the Stone of Destiny “will bring tens of thousands of visitors to Perth and Kinross every year.”
UK Government Minister for Scotland Malcolm Offord said the new museum “promises to be a jewel in the crown of Scotland’s must-see attractions.”
BAM Construction Director, Paul Carle, added: “We are proud to have redeveloped Perth City Hall for Perth and Kinross Council and Hub East Central, which has rejuvenated a historic landmark and will provide space for the city’s collection of national artifacts, including the Stone of Destiny and we hope that the local community will be as proud of the building as we are.”
