Perth is well on its way to being recognised as one of Europe”s most dynamic small cities, Provost John Hulbert has confidently claimed.
After a long weekend of celebration designed to mark Perth’s flagship 800th birthday, Dr Hulbert said it was a “proud time” for local people.
Despite the onset of a crippling economic downturn, the provost insisted there is much about which to be cheerful.
A bumper weekend of celebration began on Friday, when thousands of people lined the streets for a mass Armed Forces Day parade.
The guest of honour was the Earl of Wessex, who stopped to chat to well-wishers.
The celebration set the tone for a weekend of activities associated with Perth 800.
As the curtain came down on a busy few days for Perth, the provost declared himself tired but very happy.
“It has been a very long and busy but also very enjoyable weekend,” he said.
“During the last three days, the citizens of Perth have been remembering their history, celebrating their present and looking forward to the future.
“Looking backwards, we are celebrating the 800th anniversary of the royal charter granted by King William the Lion in 1210.
“In fact, however, Perth’s recorded history extends back much farther at least to 843AD, when King Kenneth MacAlpin united the Picts and Scots to form one of the first nation states of Europe, and ruled it from the banks of the Tay.
“And even before that we know from archaeological finds, including a 3000-year-old log boat rescued from the mud of the River Tay, that people have probably been living here since the ice melted around 10,000 years ago.”
Shifting his attention back to the 21st century, the provost said the Armed Forces Day parade was particularly poignant for local residents.
“In celebrating the present, the people of Perth have shown themselves to be proud of their soldiers, and in particular proud of their association with The Black Watch,” Dr Hulbert said.
“The war in Afghanistan is not popular but the young men who are risking their lives out there are our sons and brothers, our husbands, fathers and friends.
“They need the moral support of their families at home.
“The Armed Forces Day parade was for them.
“However, celebrating the present is about much more than just the armed forces.
“The whole Perth 800 programme, which is only half way through, has shown that we have much to be proud of, especially culturally, but also economically and socially.”
The provost claimed that consideration of the rich tapestry which makes up Perth’s past is no less fascinating than that of the settlement’s future.
He is confident the region will emerge from the gloom of recession in good shape.
“We in Perth are now looking forward,” Dr Hulbert said.
“The immediate future is uncertain, not only in Perth, but across the world.
“However, when measured against the ups and downs of the last 800 years of history, our current financial problems can be seen in perspective.
“Perth and Kinross is well placed politically, economically and geographically to emerge from the approaching difficulties as one of Scotland’s strongest local authorities and I am absolutely confident that it will do so.”
Dr Hulbert added that Perth 800 had already greatly enhanced the town’s national and international profile, pointing out that twinning links across the globe were doing much to promote interest in the Fair City.