South Inch
Sightseeing attraction | Perth | Scotland | United Kingdom
The South Inch is a spacious public park in Perth, Scotland, covering an area of approximately 31 hectares. It is one of the two "Inches" in the city, with the North Inch being the larger one at 57 hectares. Both parks were granted to the city in 1374 by King Robert II. Originally, they were islands in the River Tay.
Geographically, the South Inch is bounded to the north by King's Place and Marshall Place, to the east by the Shore Road, and to the south by South Inch View and South Inch Terrace. The western side borders the back of the houses on St Leonard's Bank, a street designed by William Macdonald Mackenzie in 1828. The A912 Edinburgh Road, opened around 1760, crosses the eastern part of the park known as Lesser South Inch.
Two diagonally laid paths run within the park. At the northwest entrance, at the foot of King Street, stands a statue of Sir Walter Scott, the author of "The Fair Maid of Perth." Created in 1845 by the Cochrane brothers, this statue is listed as a Category C monument.
Historically, the South Inch served various purposes, including as a bleaching field, grazing land for livestock, and a venue for horse racing, first documented in 1613. In 1651, after his victory in the Battle of Dunbar, Oliver Cromwell erected a fortified citadel in the northeast of the park.
Today, the South Inch offers diverse recreational opportunities. In the southwest part of the park, there is a former boating pond. Previous facilities such as bowling greens and a mini-golf course have been replaced by a modern children's playground. The Lesser South Inch hosts annual events like the Perth Highland Games and the Perth Show. Additionally, the Perth Farmers' Market takes place there on the first Saturday of every month.
Overall, the South Inch is a significant recreational area in Perth, providing locals and visitors with numerous leisure activities and events.
