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The River Tay is the longest river in Scotland and the most powerful river in Britain. It flows through the City of Perth and it is to the river that the city owes its existence – having grown up in the middle-ages around the lowest point that the river could be bridged.

Alongside the river are placed thought-provoking sculptures which draw their inspiration from the river and its wildlife, the city, its history, its poets and its life.

Together these sculptures form the River Tay Public Art Trail which, consisting of outstanding art works positioned in some of the most beautiful settings in the City of Perth, recalls the artistic, historical and natural heritage of the City of Perth and its river.

Sculptures on the map are numbered, but you do not have to follow all the numbers in sequence to enjoy the trail. In addition, you will discover many more fascinating works of art along the way.

At a moderate pace, the whole trail should take just over an hour to complete and ends in the city centre, where there are many cafes and restaurants in which to enjoy a well-earned refreshment.

This trail was made possible through the generosity of the National Lottery, Perth & Kinross Council, Scottish Enterprise Tayside, The Gannochy Bridgend Fund and the Scottish Arts Council. Access: Please see map for car parks, access for pedestrians and for people in wheelchairs.

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The River Tay is the longest river in Scotland and the most powerful river in Britain. The River Tay Public Art Trail is a walking trail which connects a number of outstanding artworks situated in some of the most beautiful settings in the City of Perth, leading those who follow it on an intriguing journey recalling the heritage of the City and the river which flows through it.

Perthshire Public Art Trust 2 High StreetPerth PH1 5PHT. 01738 475000www.perthpublicarttrail.co.uk

The Perthshire Public Art Trust is a Scottish Charity (no. Sco 22244) established to be the lead organisation influencing the development of art in public places in the administrative area of Perth and Kinross.

This trail was made possible through the generosity of the National Lottery, Perth & Kinross Council, Scottish Enterprise Tayside, The Bridgend Trust and the Scottish Arts Council.

RIVER TAY

Foxtrot Ridge David Annand 1992 12Rodney Gardens

This life-like and endearing fox brings a sense of the wild into the beautifully cultivated Rodney Gardens. The turn of the animal’s head suggests that something has caught his eye; it’s almost an invitation to follow his gaze and appreciate the scene laid out behind you.

Outwith Within, Seed, Leaf and Bud David Wilson 1998 13Bellwood Park, Moncreiff e Island

These 3-way marker sculptures not only relate to their surroundings, with the leaf, seed and bud represented, but they also suggest reasons why people might use the gardens. Many of us visit in search of peace, quiet and contemplation, so they may also be seen as way-markers to life. The sculptor also took inspiration from the author Patrick Geddes’ The World Without and the World Within, in which he suggested that a walk in the garden could act as a stimulus to thought and imagination.

Millais’ Viewpoint Tim Shutter 1997 14Bellwood Park

This huge ‘frame’ and seat, beautifully carved from St Bees sandstone, represents a favourite viewpoint of Victorian painter John Everett Millais, who had strong family links with Perth. Today the view is no less beautiful and can be enjoyed as Millais saw it. Line yourself up with it one particular way, and the sculpture frames Kinnoull Kirkyard, where the painter’s wife, Effie Gray, lies buried.

River Arch Doug Cocker 1998 15Bellwood Park

You can walk round, under and through this monumental sculpture. The soft, curving profile of the one vertical element illustrates a circular movement in the river. The other, with a harder outline, suggests the bridges of the Tay. We are reminded of Perth’s relationship with the Tay and of its importance in the city’s history and prosperity.

Vortex Malcolm Robertson 1994 16Bellwood Park

A vortex is a swirling motion of water - a whirlpool. At one time, some people believed that similar movement amongst the component parts of the universe caused rotating movement, such as this, here on Earth. Does this sculpture illustrate that theory? An interesting question.

Torse de Femme Design: J. D. Fergusson 1918 Cast: Bill Hepworth 1994 17Fergusson Gallery

The soft curves and elegant smooth skin of this striking sculpture present a powerful representation of womanhood. She bends back, with a swollen belly, proudly, almost brazenly challenging. She is a testimony to woman’s life-perpetuating fertility.

Soutar’s Menagerie Rhonda Bayley 2004 18Tay Street

William Soutar is Perth’s best-known poet. After service in the First World War, he contracted a chronic disease of the spine, rendering him disabled for the rest of his life. His writings have inspired several works of public art. His more light-hearted side is shown in this amusing piece, representing quirky animal forms featured in his poem Bairn Rhymes.

Salmon Run Lee Brewster 2004 19Tay Street

The River Tay is sometimes referred to as the ‘Silvery Tay’, after a famous poem by Victorian poet William McGonagall. It is depicted here winding towards the sea and includes the salmon for which it is famed. From the seating you have an excellent view of the Perth cityscape.

Art Works in St John Street David Wilson 2005 20St John Street

These exaggerated natural forms bring a sense of the countryside into the town. They act as a notable contrast to the vertical symmetry of the lampposts they are attached to and the hard, vertical lines of the architecture around them. They also draw our gaze to the sky and open air above, further creating that illusion of being close to nature.

The Fair Maid of Perth Graham Ibbeson 1992 21High Street

The Fair Maid of Perth is a novel written by Sir Walter Scott (1771-1832). The fictitious heroine of the novel, Catherine Glover, creates jealousy and intrigue in a story packed with tales of Royal conspiracy, feuding Highlanders and murder most horrible. Her depiction in this beautifully sculpted bronze statue seems to conceal the excitement and adventure she is capable of sparking.

Nae Day Sae Dark David Annand 1992 22High Street

This is the third sculpture inspired by Perth poet William Soutar (see also Soutar’s Menagerie and The Dark and Singing Tide). The two figures represent happiness and misery. As with Soutar’s poem of the same name, the sculpture reminds us that however overpowering the dark, a glint of light will appear and even in the deepest despair, hope will always prevail.

Wall Carvings Gillian Forbes 1998 03Tay Street

These ten stone carvings between the bridges, set in the wall along Tay Street, depict subjects associated with Perth and its surrounding area. Potatoes and leaves represent the richness of the agriculture. Unthank is the name of a farm which once stood within the city boundary.

Eagle of Perth Shona Kinloch 2002 04Tay Street

This sculpture was inspired by a part of Perth’s history. In 1839 the Merchant Guild built a ship called ‘The Eagle’ to improve trade, particularly with the Baltic. The plump fish represents the prosperity that the merchants intended to bring to the city. Does the obviously well fed bird represent the wealth and life-style this trade brought the merchants?

River Tay Themes David Wilson 1999 05North Inch

The size and scale of this beautiful barrier gives us a sense of how powerful the River Tay can be when the banks have burst. It also suggests the sheer strength and resilience it would take to hold the waters back. The violence and turbulence of the waters is reflected in the jagged, sweeping and fractured images depicted in the gates’ artworks.

The Dark And Singing Tide David Annand 2002 01Tay Street

In winter, from Tay Street, Goldeneye ducks can be seen diving. The inspiration for this piece was taken from one of William Soutar’s poems, The River. The artist has attempted to ‘extract’ a cubic meter from the river Tay and in it a Goldeneye duck is diving for molluscs.

Access Gates Malcolm Robertson 2011 02Tay Street

The Tay is famous for its salmon fishing. The three fishermen’s access gates along this street present artwork that brings to mind scenes typical of the Tay. They depict the surrounding landscape and wildlife, including fish, birds and seals.

Giant Thistle David Wilson 2007 06North Inch

The thistle is a historical emblem of Scotland, and this bold, modern stainless steel and copper sculpture is a striking interpretation of it. Commissioned by local charity Perth in Bloom (now Beautiful Perth), it is almost an artistic embodiment of the organisation’s name at that time. www.beautifulperth.org

Two Buoys Playing Chris Biddlecombe 1997 07Norie-Miller Park

This thought-inspiring sculpture suggests storytelling beside the river. Some stories will journey through time and some will sink into obscurity before eventually emerging to be retold. The flotsam and jetsam remind us of the flow of the river. The musical instrument forms represent the ever-lasting attraction of traditional storytelling.

Thocht Stane Donald Urquhart 1998 08Norie-Miller Park

Made from sandstone and granite, the Thocht Stane (Thought Stone) sits in a secluded corner where viewers can enjoy it in quiet contemplation. The authoritative words carved on it may be taken as an invitation, or even a command, to observe the immediate and perhaps even wider surroundings.

Perth Sundial II Derek Lovejoy Partnership 1970 09Norie-Miller Park

This huge sundial, with its solid concrete base and gnomon, pointing assertively skyward, reminds us of Time’s ever-present and relentless control of human life.

The Dance Within Paul Eugene Riley 1998 10Norie-Miller Park

This glass resin sculpture is best viewed from a little distance and set against the sky. It’s worth taking time to contemplate its unusual structure. At first glance it looks as though it might fall apart, though the sculptor has cleverly crafted it so that the two halves and the vertical elements are perfectly balanced.

Deschampsia Flexuosa (Wavy Hair-grass) Phil Johnson 1992 11Norie-Miller Park, Rodney Gardens, Bellwood Park

Each of these sculptures displays a tall, beautifully crafted, triple-pointed Celtic shape. This striking feature allows them to be seen from a distance. The shapes represent images from the immediate surrounding area, such as the nearby river, local species of birds and the river flowers and plants to be found in the park. However, their beauty disguises a more practical role - each sculpture holds a litterbin.