Perth



Perth was originally known as St Johnstone and this name is still used by its premier football club. It was made a royal burgh in the 13th century although the earliest records survive from the 12th century. These records reveal that Perth was an important administrative, ecclesiastical and commercial centre. The number of monastic establishments show that it held considerable royal favour. This favour was lost in 1600 after the Gowrie Conspiracy. Perth was mainly an agricultural centre and avoided the volatile changes the come with relying on fishing, textiles, and engineering. However it did undergo great ecclesiastical change after John Knox's sermon in 1559. This launched the Reformation and many ecclesiastical treasures were destroyed and churches defaced.

By the late 17th century Thomas Morer saw Perth as "the second city of Scotland" because of its booming linen trade. Although the port lost out because it couldn't accommodate ships of greater draught, the linen and cotton trade continued to grow into the 19th century. Today Perth's main employers are a large insurance company and several large whisky distilleries which have their offices in town.

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