Scotland‘s new Perth Museum will open on Easter weekend in March 2024 with a rare Jacobite wine glass and Bonnie Prince Charlie’s sword on public display for the first time.
Designed by award-winning architects Mecanoo, Perth Museum will open its doors after a £27 million redevelopment of the former city hall.
Bonnie Prince Charlie’s solid-silver-hilted broadsword was made by Perth craftsman James Brown in 1739 and is returning to Scotland for the first time since then.
Prince Charles Edward Stuart, also known as Bonnie Prince Charlie, was the grandson of James II, who was King of England in 1685. He played a key role in the 1745 Jacobite rising.
The Jacobite wine glass was recently acquired by Culture Perth & Kinross, the charitable trust that will run Perth Museum in partnership with Perth & Kinross Council.
“We are thrilled to be able to publicly display these two significant pieces of Jacobite history for the first time,” said JP Reid, senior new projects officer at Culture Perth & Kinross.
“Perthshire sits at the heart of the Jacobite story: the scene of large-scale pitched battles like Killiecrankie and Sheriffmuir, besieged homes, scorched-earth warfare and warring kinsfolk.”
The two new objects will be displayed alongside other Jacobite material from the Perth and Kinross museum collections, including a rare and ornate ‘star’ targe or Highland shield.
The new museum will tell the story of Perth in both ancient and modern Scotland as the nation’s first capital. Its centrepiece is the Stone of Destiny, which is currently kept at Edinburgh Castle.
New museum to open in March 2024
The Stone of Destiny, also known as the Stone of Scone, was first used in the coronation of Scottish monarchs. It travelled to London for King Charles’ coronation this year.
“The collections held here in Perth and Kinross are recognised for their national significance and are in constant development,” said Charles Kinnoull, chair of Culture Perth & Kinross.
He added: “The opportunity to bring new objects such as this beautiful Jacobite glass and sword alongside loans from national partners and the existing collections and the Stone of Destiny, all within a stunning new home in the former city hall is one which I could not be more excited about.”
Councillor Grant Laing, leader of Perth & Kinross Council, said Perth Museum will be “a landmark attraction that brings Scotland’s history to life and is the culmination of our long-term cultural regeneration vision for Perth”.
Images courtesy of Perth Museum
