Perth Museum visitor boom boosts St John’s Kirk fortunes

Perth's oldest building has has an influx of visitors since Perth Museum opened and now it's looking for locals who can help show people round.

By Morag Lindsay

February 21 2025, 6:00am

St John's Kirk is Perth Museum's neighbour. Image: Kenny Smith/DC Thomson

One of Perth’s newest buildings is shining a new light on its oldest.

St John’s Kirk has seen visitor numbers rocket since Perth Museum opened next door.

And now it’s hoping to build on the renewed interest during the coming tourist season.

The St John’s Kirk stewards group is appealing for volunteers to join its ranks.

Minister Sandy Gunn and group of people standing inside St John's Kirk — Reverend Sandy Gunn and the team at St John’s Kirk, Perth. Image: Kenny Smith/DC Thomson

The stewards are the friendly face of the kirk.

They are there to point out items of interest around the 900-year-old landmark.

And if enough people come forward they intend to extend the opening hours in the months ahead.

St John’s Kirk part of Perth’s global appeal

The stewards say they welcomed 20,000 visitors from 34 countries between March and September last year.

And a 25-strong team of volunteers put in 844 hours of service between them.

Perth Museum and Perth skyline viewed from top of St John's kirk — The St John’s Kirk steeple enjoys a bird’s eye view of Perth Museum. Image: Kenny Smith/DC Thomson

Councillors were told last year there had been a 132% increase in visitors to St John’s Kirk after the £27 million Perth Museum opened across the street last March.

It has welcomed more than 200,000 people in its first year.

Jennifer Archibald, from the St John’s Kirk stewards group, says they are hoping for more of the same in 2025.

Stained glass window inside St John's Kirk — St John’s Kirk boasts stunning stained glass. Image: Kenny Smith/DC Thomson

“People from all around the world come to Perth,” she said.

“They want to visit places of interest – and we want to show them what we have.”

Jennifer Archibald inside st John's Kirk — Jennifer Archibald and fellow stewards extend a warm Perth welcome to St John’s Kirk. Image: Kenny Smith/DC Thomson

Appealing to volunteers, she added: “You don’t have to be a church person, and you don’t need to know anything.

“You just need to be friendly and interested, in people and in Perth.”

Perth’s oldest and newest attractions side-by-side

St John’s Kirk is still a working church, and that remains its most important function.

But it also hosts concerts and other events.

St John's Kirk interior with rows of chairs laid out — Historic surroundings and a welcoming atmosphere. Image: Kenny Smith/DC Thomson

Close up of memorial to the men from Perthshire who served with the Parachute regiment and the British Airborne Special Forces — One of the war memorials inside the church. Image: Kenny Smith/DC Thomson

The Trust of St John’s Kirk of Perth launched a £4m fundraising campaign in September 2023 to pay for repairs to the building.

Speaking at the time, Maureen Young, chair of the trust, said: “Millions have been spent on creating a world-class tourist destination housing the Stone of Destiny at the former City Hall.

“It’s vital that the new museum’s Medieval neighbour is protected and promoted to ensure Perth’s oldest and newest attractions sit side-by-side in pristine condition.”