Perth - Town Centre & Riverside

Navigating The Route

This is a circular Treasure Hunt around Perth Town Centre & Riverside, with Adventurers following an ancient map left by Iva Goodmind to solve the clues and uncover the lost royal jewels before they are lost for ever.

The quest covers approximately 1.75 miles and should take around 1.75 hours to complete. You'll set off from Kinnoull Street car park, explore the town centre's pedestrianised streets and historic landmarks, pass through St John's Place, follow riverside sections and finish by looping back to Kinnoull Street.

This Trail is wheelchair accessible and pushchair accessible. The route is mostly flat with no steep hills, but there are some narrow pavements, including in Blackfriars Street, plus a narrow road in Bridge Lane.

Take care crossing side roads, the road at the pedestrian crossing after the railway bridge, the busy junction at High Street, and the main road using the traffic islands at Atholl Crescent. Stay alert to other pedestrians and traffic, especially on narrow pavements and around busy junctions.

There is also an optional diversion into North Inch to gather some sticks and make an X on the ground before returning to continue the quest.

Getting There

By car: Start your treasure-seeking expedition at Kinnoull Street car park (PH1 5GD), using ///pencil.herb.socket. This is the recommended car park and is free on Sundays. The route loops back to the car park in Kinnoull Street.

By public transport: Make your way to Kinnoull Street car park to begin the quest. Once the lost royal jewels have been tracked through town and riverside clues, the circular route returns you to Kinnoull Street.

Need the Loo?

Useful adventurer intel: toilets are available in the car park at the start, so it is worth making a comfort stop before heading into the town centre.

Bring Your Furry Sidekicks

Four-legged Explorers are welcome to join the treasure hunt. 🐾

The route includes pedestrianised streets, narrow pavements, a narrow road in Bridge Lane, busy junctions, road crossings, riverside sections and North Inch, so keep canine companions close around traffic, other pedestrians and the water.

Food & Drink Stops

Royal-jewel hunting can work up an appetite, and there are some chances to stop for refreshments or stock up on supplies before Clue 06.

If you'd rather bring your own provisions, pack a picnic to enjoy overlooking the river at Clues 11-12 or at the end in North Inch.

Want to Make a Day of It?

St John's Kirk

St John's Kirk dominates the city centre and is architecturally and historically the most significant building in Perth. John Knox preached here in May 1559, adding impetus to the Reformation in Scotland - a suitably dramatic stop once your Explorers have paused their jewel-hunting.

Perth Museum

The Trail passes Perth Museum and turns back beside it before continuing into St John's Place, making it one of the key landmarks on the town-centre stretch and an easy extra to build into your day.

North Inch

North Inch is one of Perth's main park areas, along with South Inch. The word inch comes from the Gaelic and means a piece of land adjacent to a river. North Inch has various monuments and history as well as modern sporting uses, and is now lined with elegant late 18th- and early 19th-century townhouses.

North Port and the old castle area

The route enters the area where the old castle of Perth once stood. North Port was the largest of Perth's medieval suburbs, growing up under the protection of the nearby Dominican Friary or Blackfriars, giving this part of the quest a proper old-Perth atmosphere.

Perth Theatre

The route passes Perth Theatre in High Street, where one of the clues asks Explorers to look closely at the building. Once the treasure trail focus has eased, it is worth a second glance as a notable landmark on the town-centre stretch.