Black Watch Castle and Museum

About the museum

The Black Watch Castle and Museum is the regimental museum of The Black Watch, Scotland’s oldest Highland regiment, and covers more than 300 years of its history, from its formation in 1739 to its amalgamation into the Royal Regiment of Scotland in 2006. It is run by The Black Watch Regimental Trust, a Scottish charity that also supports veterans and their families.

The museum is housed in Balhousie Castle on Hay Street in Perth, above the North Inch parkland. The castle was the seat of the Earls of Kinnoull and was largely rebuilt in the Scottish Baronial style in the 1860s. The regimental trustees bought it in 2009 to be the regiment’s headquarters and museum, and a heritage appeal raised more than £3 million to develop it as a permanent home for the collection and archive.

The galleries show uniforms, medals, weapons and personal stories of soldiers, with a World War One gallery and a collection of paintings that includes the large work No Surrender, which shows the aftermath of the Battle of Magersfontein. Visitors can handle selected objects with a member of staff, and daily guided tours explore the regiment’s story. The castle also has a bistro in the old building, a shop and a courtyard.

Highlights

• Over 300 years of the Black Watch, from 1739 to 2006
• Uniforms, medals, weapons and soldiers’ personal stories
• World War One gallery
• Object handling sessions included with entry
• Daily guided tours and a bistro in the castle

Permanent exhibition

• The Black Watch story, 1739 to 2006 – Galleries on the regiment’s campaigns and soldiers, with uniforms, medals, weapons and personal stories.

Founded

1962

Operated by

The Black Watch Regimental Trust (Scottish charity SC005848)

Admission & discounts

The museum ticket allows unlimited return visits for one year from the date of purchase. A guided-tour ticket also includes a standard admission ticket for one year, but not unlimited tours. Entry is free for members of The Black Watch Association, serving personnel of the Black Watch battalion and the Royal Regiment of Scotland, and Friends of the Castle and Museum (membership or identity card required). Object handling is included in the museum ticket.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Manual and electric wheelchairs, prams and pushchairs can reach all areas; the ground floor is level and a lift serves the upper floor. There are accessible toilets on the ground floor and second floor. A limited number of wheelchairs can be borrowed (book in advance on +44 1738 638152, option 3). Two Blue Badge spaces are in the visitor car park and the path from the car park to the front door is level. The entrance from North Inch Parklands has 19 steep steps with handrails. Several exhibits have signposted induction loops, large print guides are available in most galleries, and guidebooks are available in Spanish, German and French. Quiet Hour sessions with reduced noise and lighting can be arranged directly with the museum. Pet dogs are not allowed inside but are welcome in the grounds and courtyard.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly

Family tickets are available, seasonal workshops are held, and visitors can handle selected objects with staff. Prams and pushchairs can use all areas.

Getting there & parking

Taxi ranks are at Perth railway station and in the city centre. The castle stands on Hay Street, close to North Inch Parklands.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Bistro @ The Castle serves coffee, lunch and afternoon tea, with outdoor tables in the courtyard. Wi-Fi is mentioned only for meeting and conference hire, not for museum visitors.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Weddings, private events, meetings and conferences and funeral teas, with in-house catering. The Queen Mother Room is used for dining.

Plan your visit