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Perth Museum Visitor Services Team Adrian and Georgia with the 500,000th visitors Mary Drew (L) and Susan Kendall (R)
Today Perth Museum welcomed its 500,000th visitor in just 27 months of operation, significantly exceeding targets.
Visitors to the museum, Mary Drew and Susan Kendall from Norwich, said “What a wonderful surprise on our visit to the museum today. It’s such a beautiful, bright and airy space, and the café was fantastic as well. It’s brilliant that this museum is free for all to enter.” Mary and Susan received a gift bag of Perth Museum souvenirs to mark the occasion.
Perth Museum by Julie Howden
Sandie Dawe, Co-Chair of Culture Perth & Kinross’ Board of Trustees said “We are delighted to celebrate Perth Museum welcoming over half a million visitors this week, an extraordinary milestone made even more meaningful by the incredible support of communities, residents, schools, partners, and visitors from further afield. This achievement belongs to all who have engaged, contributed, and championed the museum.”
James Findlay, KC, Co-Chair of Culture Perth & Kinross’ Board of Trustees added “Reaching this milestone as we mark ten years of Culture Perth and Kinross is a testament to what can be achieved when culture is led by and for the community it serves. Both Sandie and I are honoured to lead the Board, and we are proud of the strong relationship we have with Perth and Kinross Council, whose continued support we gratefully acknowledge.”
Perth and Kinross Council leader Councillor Eric Drysdale said “Reaching 500,000 visitors in such a short space of time is a truly remarkable achievement for Perth Museum. When the Museum opened at the end of March 2024 it was hoped it would attract 167,000 visitors a year. To have exceeded that target is testament to the vision behind the transformation of the former City Hall, the dedication of the team at Culture Perth and Kinross and, of course, the ongoing support of our communities. Perth Museum is playing a vital role in bringing more people into our city, supporting local businesses, and strengthening Perth’s reputation as a vibrant cultural destination. Hitting the 500,000-visitor mark so soon underlines just how important this investment has been. On behalf of Perth and Kinross Council, I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to this success and congratulate the team on this fantastic milestone. We look forward to welcoming many more visitors in the years ahead.”
Vennels - Perth's Little Streets. Now open at Perth Museum. Photo by Julie Howden.
Since opening in March 2024, Perth Museum has featured several high-profile exhibitions, including Vennels: Perth’s Little Streets currently on display, developed in partnership with Perth City of Craft. The exhibition is free to enter and explores the secrets of the narrow lanes, closes and alleys that have shaped the city of Perth for centuries.
Earlier this year, Perth Museum also hosted The Last Letter of Mary, Queen of Scots on loan from National Library of Scotland, the first time this precious object has travelled north of the Central Belt. The letter was seen by more than 34,000 people during its exhibition run, providing a once-in-a-generation opportunity for people from far and wide to experience the doomed queen’s final hours.
Scottish literary icon the poet and playwright Liz Lochead reads the last letter ever written by Mary Queen of Scots.
The Museum has also created and produced the exhibitions Macbeth, Waters Rising, Perthshire Illustrated, and Unicorn, the latter winning the Museums Association Museums Change Lives Championing Social Justice Award in 2024.
Perth Museum is famously home to The Stone of Destiny, which returned to Perthshire after 700 years in 2024 and has been seen by more than 140,000 visitors within a state-of-the-art immersive experience. It is an ancient symbol of Scottish monarchy and kingdom, and an object of utmost importance to both Scotland and the UK. The Stone is still used to crown kings and queens of the United Kingdom today.
The Stone of Destiny at the heart of Perth Museum
To date, the Museum has attracted extensive media coverage, featuring across major outlets including the BBC, ITV, Scottish Field, The Herald, The Scotsman and The National, as well as internationally in publications such as The Washington Post and Smithsonian.
The museum’s success has been reflected in a series of awards and accolades, including being the only Scottish finalist for the Art Fund Museum of the Year 2025.
It has also secured industry recognition, winning Small Regeneration Project of the Year at the Scottish Property Awards 2025, Best Travel PR Campaign at the Roxhill Media Awards and Best Civic Brand Identity at the Scottish Design Awards 2024.
Perth Museum is managed by charitable trust Culture Perth and Kinross, which is also celebrating its tenth anniversary this year. The Museum is open 7 days a week, and the exhibition Vennels: Perth’s Little Streets runs until Sunday 6 September 2026. Admission is free for all; however, donations are encouraged.
