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The Courier
7 days ago
- General
- The Courier
Tributes to former Perth planning chief and ‘fabulous storyteller' Denis Munro who's died at 81
Warm tributes have been paid to former Perth and Kinross Council director of planning and development Denis Munro, who has died at the age of 81. His funeral takes place at St John's Kirk in the heart of his beloved Fair City on Monday June 2 at 1pm. Born and bred in Perth, Denis recently followed up his 2001 book 'A Vision for Perth' with a history of the steamies, or washhouses, which once played an integral role in the lives of working-class families. He recalled fondly boyhood hours whiled away trainspotting at Friarton, fishing for eels at the harbour – where his father David worked for the Dundee, Perth and London Shipping Company – and helping mother Nan at the public washhouse in Canal Street. Following several years south of the border Denis embarked on his career as a trainee town planner with Fife County Council in 1961 after leaving Bell-Baxter High School in Cupar. He joined Perth Town Council four years later as an assistant planning officer. He was recognised by the Town Planning Institute for gaining the top marks in Scotland in their intermediate exams. Denis remained with the local authority, in its various guises, until taking early retirement in 2003 from the director's role he had held since 1984. His love of his native city was reflected in 'A Vision for Perth' – published while he was planning director – which lamented the loss of various historic buildings in the name of modernism. Never one to shy away from controversy, Denis advocated demolishing most of Perth City Hall – now the Perth Museum hosting the Stone of Destiny – in favour of creating a civic square, retaining only the King Edward Street building's facade. He firmly believed that would benefit the city and better showcase St John's Kirk, the oldest building in Perth. However, the demolition proposal was rejected in favour of being repurposed. Denis helped pave the way to Perth's Cafe Quarter and in retirement became 'part of the family' at Willows, where his morning routine included catching up with the news over a coffee. Architecture, culture and art were lifelong passions, often combined with a love of travel and, latterly, cruises. His last foreign holiday took Denis to admire the Austro-Hungarian legacy of Vienna and Budapest. He had recently completed 'The Perth Steamies: The Story of the Fair City's Public Washhouses (1846-1976),' published by Tippermuir Books. Tippermuir director Dr Paul Philippou said: 'I was familiar with 'A Vision for Perth.' It is a book that combines architecture and history with the author's strong opinions on Perth's architectural direction. 'As director of planning, Denis was certainly in a position to offer his thoughts on the subject. 'Twenty-three years later, in 2024, I was intrigued to be contacted by Denis, regarding a new book he had in mind on the long-gone Perth Steamies. 'Working with him on the book was a delight. 'It is a pity that Denis did not live to see the book – he died a few days before it was delivered by the printer – and did not have the opportunity to enjoy a book launch. 'The book's subject, however, is a popular one, and Denis's words will no doubt be debated, repeated and read for many decades to come. 'A great dog lover, Denis had directed that all his royalties from the book be given to Perthshire Abandoned Dog Society.' Local housebuilder and honorary president of St Johnstone, Geoff Brown, chairman of GS Brown Construction, knew Denis for decades. He said: 'In his days as director of planning, Denis was prepared to meet developers large and small to discuss proposals which would have a bearing on Perth and Kinross and the quality of life of its citizens. 'We might not always have agreed when it came to development and the best way forward, but Denis was always prepared to meet with developers and listen to what was being suggested. 'I knew Denis long before he became the director of planning, and when he retired from the council, I knew his in-depth knowledge of the planning process would prove a huge asset in his role as a consultant with GS Brown Construction. 'As a local man, Denis had a deep and abiding affection for the city and the wider area, and his death will have come as a shock to his many friends.' After taking early retirement, Denis also went on to play an interim but influential role as planner for the embryonic Cairngorms National Park Authority. Gavin Miles, director of planning and place, said: 'Denis was a lovely chap. 'He'd obviously had a long career by the time he joined us. 'Denis said he had started as a tea boy at Perth City in the distant past, but you could never quite tell whether his tales were true or embellished – he was a fabulous storyteller! 'He was very relaxed in his approach to setting up the planning service at the Park Authority and he was very good at helping us to think through the issues we encountered and in supporting us. 'Denis was good at getting the best out of us. He had a wicked sense of humour that could make you cry with laughter and his tales of council politics, and his planning career, would have made a great comedy series! We all loved him.' Denis, who was divorced from his late wife Kate, is survived by his sister Dorothy and niece Kareen.
Daily Mirror
23-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Happiest place to live in Scotland is named and it's not where you'd expect
A Scottish city has taken the top spot as the country's "happiest place to live", and it may come as a surprise. Perth, aptly nicknamed The Fair City, has outshone more prominent destinations like Edinburgh and Glasgow. The Guardian recently compiled a list of the "happiest places to live in Britain", considering various factors such as access to green spaces, average driving times to healthcare services, air quality, broadband speeds and cultural offerings. Perth, situated in the heart of Scotland, boasts a unique location on the banks of the River Tay and is home to around 40,000 residents. The Guardian highlighted Perthshire's diverse landscapes, featuring waterfalls, canyons, and picturesque lochs like Loch Tay and Loch Rannoch. Perth's position "at the gateway to the Highlands" offers easy access to an array of rural countryside walks, as well as ample green spaces within the city itself. The city is flanked by two scenic riverside parks: the 57-hectare North Inch, a popular golfing spot, and the 31-hectare South Inch, which hosts events like funfairs, circuses, and other shows. Perth's winning combination of natural beauty, accessibility, and amenities has earned it the title of Scotland's happiest place to live. The must-see sites in Perth, as recommended by connoisseurs, include the Perth Museum and the excitement-packed Perth Leisure Pool, reports the Daily Record. The museum has recently become the proud home of the historic Stone of Destiny artefact, and the leisure pool is all the rage with its variety of thrilling flumes. Despite The Guardian's observation that the city is "struggling to recover post Covid", it applauded the array of independent businesses peppering the city centre. Highlighted establishments include coffee connoisseur haven The Bean Shop and vinyl treasure trove Concorde Music record shop. When it comes to dining out, The Guardian gave a shout-out to Hinterland, Cafe Tabou, and North Port. Patrons can savour breakfast and lunches at indie coffee spot Hinterland, experience modern French flare at brasserie Cafe Tabou, or indulge in Scottish fare centred around fresh ingredients at North Port. In addition, Perth won plaudits for its accessible transport links. Railway journeys to Edinburgh and Glasgow take roughly 90 minutes and one hour respectively, while Aviemore and Inverness are also conveniently within travel distance. Property prices were another focal point, with experts surveying average values across Perth. Reportedly in The Guardian, homes in the sought-after Craigie area come with a price tag of about £280,000, whereas three-bedroom flats overlooking South Inch park have an average costing upwards of £240,000. Perth's strategic position as the gateway to the Highlands has long been cherished as prime property territory, tracing back settlements to prehistoric times, noted The Guardian: "Perth's appealing position at the gateway to the Highlands has long been recognised as a prime real estate spot, with historians tracing settlements as far back as the prehistoric period. "A rich bounty of archaeological finds from the region's past are displayed at the light and airy Perth Museum, which reopened after refurbishment last year, complete with swish cafe. "This city of only around 47,000 people punches above its weight as a cultural hub, with a small but mighty art gallery, a theatre, a concert hall and an art deco cinema, not forgetting its annual arts festival. June sees Potfest, the UK's biggest ceramics festival, hit the city, while August heralds Perthshire Pride." Elsewhere, Berwick-upon-Tweed has been crowned the overall happiest place to live in the UK. This northernmost town in England, whose football team competes in the Scottish leagues, has been lauded for its compelling history, bustling weekly markets and abundant green spaces.
Daily Record
22-05-2025
- Daily Record
Scottish city named 'happiest place to live' and it isn't Edinburgh or Glasgow
The city was praised for its green spaces and yummy food offerings. A city in Scotland has been named the country's "happiest place to live" - and it might not be the one you expect. It triumphed over more well-known destinations such as Edinburgh and Glasgow. On Saturday, May 17, The Guardian published a list of the "happiest places to live in Britain". The newspaper considered many factors when putting together the list, including access to green space, average driving time to GPs and dentists, air quality, broadband speeds, and culture. Cities and towns across the UK were included in the roundup. The most happy city in Scotland was named as Perth, aptly known as The Fair City. Perth is a city located in Perthshire in the centre of Scotland, nestled by the River Tay. It is home to a population of approximately 40,000 people. The Guardian praised Perthshire for its diverse landscapes, featuring everything from waterfalls to canyons. The newspaper also singled out the region for its many picturesque lochs, which include Loch Tay and Loch Rannoch. Perth itself was noted for its unique position "at the gateway to the Highlands". It offers easy access to a huge variety of rural countryside walks, while there is also plenty of green space within the city. On each side of Perth, there are scenic riverside parks. North Inch is 57 hectares in size and is a popular golfing destination, while South Inch is slightly smaller at 31 hectares and is often used to host fun fairs, circuses, and other shows. Top attractions in the city, according to the experts, are the Perth Museum and the Perth Leisure Pool. The former is the new home of the legendary Stone of Destiny artefact, while the Perth Leisure Pool boasts various exciting flumes. While The Guardian noted that the city is "struggling to recover post Covid", the newspaper praised its various independent city-centre businesses. Among those mentioned were coffee specialists The Bean Shop and the Concorde Music record shop. In terms of places to eat, The Guardian singled out Hinterland, Cafe Tabou, and North Port. Hinterland is an independent coffee shop serving up breakfast and lunches, while Cafe Tabou is a modern French spotlit brasserie, and North Point specialises in ingredient-led Scottish cuisine. Meanwhile, the newspaper also praised Perth for its transport services. Edinburgh and Glasgow can be reached in around 90 minutes and an hour respectively by rail, while Aviemore and Inverness are also within easy reach. The experts also considered the average house prices in different areas of Perth. According to The Guardian, the standard cost of a home in the popular Craigie suburb is £280,000, while three-bed flats that overlook South Inch park cost more than £240,000 on average. The Guardian wrote: "Perth's appealing position at the gateway to the Highlands has long been recognised as a prime real estate spot, with historians tracing settlements as far back as the prehistoric period. "A rich bounty of archaeological finds from the region's past are displayed at the light and airy Perth Museum, which reopened after refurbishment last year, complete with swish cafe. "This city of only around 47,000 people punches above its weight as a cultural hub, with a small but mighty art gallery, a theatre, a concert hall and an art deco cinema, not forgetting its annual arts festival. "June sees Potfest, the UK's biggest ceramics festival, hit the city, while August heralds Perthshire Pride." Elsewhere, the overall happiest place to live in the UK was named as Berwick-upon-Tweed. The town and civil parish in the very north of England, whose football team play in the Scottish set-up, was praised for its fascinating history, its weekly markets, and its various green spaces. The full list of the "happiest places to live in Britain" can be found on The Guardian website.
Daily Record
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Perth Museum in the running for prestigious prize
City centre visitor attraction is on shortlist for Art Fund Museum of the Year 2025. Perth's landmark museum - home of the Stone of Destiny – is once again in the running one of the most prestigious cultural prizes. It is one of five finalists for Art Fund Museum of the Year 2025, which is the world's largest museum prize. The popular visitor attraction, which opened at the end of March 2024, welcomed over 250,000 visitors in its first year - smashing its visitor target of 167,000 by 50 per cent. Since opening the £27m museum has received a clutch of awards and has been nominated for three Museum + Heritage Awards. Culture Perth and Kinross chief executive Helen Smout said: 'We are thrilled to be in the running as Art Fund Museum of the Year 2025, and honoured to be the only Scottish museum on the shortlist. 'This nomination belongs to the people of Perth and Kinross, Scotland, and all our staff, volunteers, supporters, and contributors who have helped make Perth Museum a very special place since we opened just over a year ago. 'We are changing perspectives on what a small, regional museum can achieve. 'Regardless of who takes home the grand prize, we already feel like winners.' Perthshire North MSP and First Minister John Swinney said: 'This is a fantastic achievement that speaks to the quality of Perth Museum, and the significant impact it has had on the local area. 'I extend my sincere congratulations to all those involved in making Perth Museum such a memorable and engaging place to visit. 'Being shortlisted for such a prestigious prize is a testament to their hard work and ingenuity.' Art Fund, the national charity for museums and galleries, shortlists annually five outstanding museums for Museum of the Year. The 2025 prize recognises inspiring projects and activity from autumn 2023 through to winter 2024. In addition to looking at the overall achievements of the organisation, the judges are tasked with identifying impactful projects that spotlight the wide range of remarkable people, including museum staff and volunteers, who bring museums to life by engaging with communities, families and younger visitors, artists and creatives. Perth Museum tells the story of over 10,000 years of Scottish and world history through a local lens. Alongside the Stone of Destiny, the Museum displays Perth and Kinross's Recognised Collections of National Significance as well as iconic loans and exhibitions. The winner of the Art Fund Museum of the Year 2025, announced on June 26, will receive £120,000 and £15,000 will be given to each of the four other finalists. The prize is funded by the generosity of Art Fund's members who buy a National Art Pass. During the shortlist celebration period (29 April to 26 June), Art Pass holders can enjoy free entry to the new Macbeth exhibition at Perth Museum, and 50% off all paid exhibitions at Perth Museum and Perth Art Gallery year-round. Art Fund director Jenny Waldman, speaking on behalf of the judges said: 'Congratulations to Perth Museum on being shortlisted for Art Fund Museum of the Year 2025. 'This year's finalists are inspiring examples of museums at their best – deeply connected to their local communities, responsive to the world around them, and alive with energy and ideas. 'Each one offers a distinctive experience, showing the endless creativity and care that goes into making museums inspiring and exciting spaces for everyone. Art Fund is proud to celebrate their work and support their ambition through Art Fund Museum of the Year. We hope people across the UK will be inspired to visit these remarkable places and museums in their local area to discover the powerful role they can play in our lives.' The Museum + Heritage awards ceremony will take place in London on May 15.
Scotsman
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
From the Royal Mile to Arthur's Seat: Exploring Edinburgh's Icons
If you're taking a short city break to Edinburgh, there's a lot you can do in just a few days. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... At times it can feel as if the Scottish capital boasts a monument a minute as you take an Edinburgh free walking tour and take in the city's sights. With everything from a Hogwarts-inspiring castle to a historic hill sporting views of the city, you'll find plenty to keep you entertained when staying in Edinburgh. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Edinburgh Castle: The Crown of the City Edinburgh Whether or not you choose to believe that Edinburgh Castle inspired Hogwarts Castle from the Harry Potter franchise, the castle is one of Edinburgh's most famous landmarks and towers above the city. Dominating the city's skyline, Edinburgh Castle isn't just sat atop a hill at the end of the Royal Mile, it's perched upon an extinct volcano which is believed to be more than 350 million years old. The castle's strategic position atop Castle Rock is what made it such an important military stronghold during Scotland's turbulent past. Visiting the castle, you'll get the opportunity to explore many of its historic rooms, halls, and chambers at your leisure. For example, there's the Great Hall, where Scottish monarchs would once host lavish ceremonies Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad You can also watch the daily One O'clock Gun salute if you time your trip right, which dates all the way back to 1861, when it was first used to help ships sync up their maritime chronometers in the Firth of Forth. Plus there's the impressive Scotland Crown Jewels on display, as well as the Stone of Destiny, which would have been once used to adorn and distinguish Scottish monarchs. The Royal Mile: A Journey Through Time On your way to and from the castle, you'll find yourself on The Royal Mile. A collection of streets that make up the Old Town thoroughfare of Edinburgh, you'll find plenty to keep you entertained on this stretch. The historic street is just longer than a mile at 1.81km, and is home to many of Scotland's most important historical buildings. The imposing tenement structures, known as 'lands', give it its distinctive character, buildings which were once used as places of residence to bring together people from all social classes under one roof. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad You'll also find St Giles' Cathedral on The Royal Mile, which is an excellent example of Scottish Gothic architecture along with the Thistle Chapel that's home to impressive emblems and wooden carvings. Don't forget to stop off at one of the city's many whisky distilleries, shops, and experiences while you're on The Royal Mile to sample some local scotch whisky. Arthur's Seat: Edinburgh's Natural Wonder Seemingly opposite Edinburgh Castle lies Arthur's Seat, a dramatically beautiful ancient volcano that offers visitors incredible panoramic views of the city below and Edinburgh Castle in the distance. If you're in the mood for some moderate physical activity and you're prepared to face the bracing winds, you can climb Arthur's Seat to be more than 251 meters above sea level and enjoy various walking routes around the volcano. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The best place to trek up Arthur's Seat is arguably near Holyrood Palace, as you'll get to experience diverse terrain and geology on your hike. On a clear day, you might even be so lucky as to see the Scottish Highlands way off in the distance. Enjoy the Sunset from Calton Hill Offering another unique perspective of the city from above is Calton Hill. Sporting some of the best views of the city, as well as several important monuments such as the Dugald Stewart Monument which you can see from the city, Calton Hill is a fantastic place to take in the sites you've already visited and enjoy a sunset over Edinburgh. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad This is one of the best spots to take photos of the city and surrounding areas, so be sure to bring your camera for the trek. Enjoy the Blend of Nature and Architecture in Edinburgh Edinburgh is a city that offers something for everyone, whether you're looking for a demanding hike with rewarding urban views, or stunning architecture and ancient monuments.
