A Perth 800 time capsule has been buried on the North Inch under orders not to be opened until the year 2210, when Perth will celebrate its 1000th anniversary.
The capsule contains a variety of items from residents, children and organisations to provide citizens of the future with a snapshot of what life was like in early 21st-century Perth.
Primary school children helped fill the capsule with items ahead of Friday’s burial ceremony.
Perth and Kinross Council and the Royal Air Forces Association worked together on the time capsule idea to commemorate both the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain and Perth 800. They asked residents, clubs, businesses and groups to come forward with a selection of items to put in it.
Items include a signed ball from St Johnstone FC, project books from primary schools including photo albums and a project on what life is like in 2010 and what they expect life to be like in 200 years’ time wedding photos, and wedding menus from local residents, local magazines and leaflets, newspaper reports, and press releases about the time capsule project, baby photographs and Perth 800 events programmes and memorabilia.
The capsule has been designed to stand up to 200 years of Scottish rain and frost as well as the worms. Measuring in at 1.5m x 60cm x 60cm, the steel capsule weighs 102kg without any of the items in it.
The RAF association’s area director Gair Brisbane said, “We feel that putting together the time capsule is a perfect way to mark Perth 800. This will give future generations a real feel for what life was like in 2010.
“We had a great response from the local community and businesses and I’d like to thank them all for coming forward with their items.”
Mr Brisbane hopes the capsule will help to raise the profile of the RAF Association, which provides support for serving airmen of all ages.Symbol”We see the time capsule as a lasting symbol that we should remember those who have gone before, whether in the Battle of Britain or in more recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan,” he said.
Provost John Hulbert said, “The aim of the time capsule project was to capture the essence of life in Perth in 2010 and I really think we have achieved that. Whoever digs it up in 2210 will get a picture of what life was like in our schools, what was happening in our local economy, what was in the news, how people lived their day-to-day lives, what music they listened to and what they read.
“It’s a fantastic idea and I’d like to thank the RAF Association for approaching us with the concept. It is a very fitting way to mark Perth 800.
“The capsule will be dug up in the year that Perth will be celebrating its 1000th anniversary as a royal burgh and whoever opens it will be able to see exactly how we celebrated the 800th anniversary of the town. I hope we will give our future descendants some inspiration about how to celebrate in style.”