The Black Watch Castle & Museum

The Black Watch Castle & Museum Castle | Shop | Bistro | Museum
Our museum tells the story of The Black Watch Regiment from their formation in 1739 to their amalgamation in 2006.
(919)

We are located on the edge of the North Inch in Perth with a free customer car park. The Black Watch Castle and Museum is a 5 star award winning visitor attraction located in the beautiful city of Perth, Scotland. The Black Watch Museum is housed within the historic Balhousie Castle, the origins of which are said to date back to the 12th century. A visit to the ancestral Home of The Black Watch br

ings this glorious Highland Regiment’s history vibrantly to life, through artefacts, personal stories and interactive displays. Relax and unwind in the welcome ambience of the Bistro @ The Castle. The seasonal menu offers an appealing selection of meals, snacks, soups, desserts and afternoon tea created with quality ingredients of local provenance. We also serve afternoon tea, traditional Sunday lunch, and offer evening dining during the Summer months. Browse the popular Castle Gift Shop to find a range of quality gifts, regimental memorabilia and branded products with an emphasis on providing an enjoyable shopping experience within a Scottish Castle. The Black Watch Castle and Museum is a unique and compelling location which can also host weddings, offer private dining, exclusive use of the Castle, group and bespoke tours. We look forward to welcoming you to the Home of The Black Watch

13/06/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us for 300 Years of History today.

It was wonderful to see so many visitors enjoying the reenactors, military vehicles, Redcoat experience, crafts, tours and activities.

A special thank you to all the reenactors, volunteers, staff and organisations who helped make the day possible.

We hope you enjoyed the event as much as we enjoyed welcoming you to The Black Watch Castle and Museum.

in 1962, Winston Churchill gave a £5 cheque to The Black Watch Wavell Appeal Fund.Launched in 1962 to commemorate Fiel...
12/06/2026

in 1962, Winston Churchill gave a £5 cheque to The Black Watch Wavell Appeal Fund.

Launched in 1962 to commemorate Field Marshal Lord Wavell and strengthen the links between The Black Watch and its wider regimental community, the Appeal attracted support from across military, political and cultural life.

Among the earliest donors were Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, Colonel-in-Chief of The Black Watch, Lady Wavell and former Prime Minister Winston Churchill.

Alongside Churchill, figures such as Clement Attlee and Anthony Eden contributed, while leading literary figures including T. S. Eliot, Siegfried Sassoon and Freya Stark also lent their support, reflecting the breadth of Wavell's influence and friendships.

Today, The Black Watch Castle and Museum continues to preserve and share the history of the Regiment while supporting the charitable aims of The Black Watch Regimental Trust.

If you would like to follow in Churchill's footsteps and support our work, visit https://theblackwatch.co.uk/support-us/ to discover the many ways you can help preserve the history and heritage of The Black Watch for future generations.

Only a few days to go until 300 Years of History!Join us this Saturday, 13 June, for a full day of living history as we ...
09/06/2026

Only a few days to go until 300 Years of History!

Join us this Saturday, 13 June, for a full day of living history as we celebrate 300 years since the formation of the independent companies.

Also joining us on the day are 3 SCOTS, who will be bringing equipment from recent operations for visitors to handle, alongside a portable exhibition in the Queen Mother Room exploring the 20-year history of The Royal Regiment of Scotland.

Perth and District Pipe Band and Pipe Major Alistair Duthie will help open the event at 11am. Visitors will also have the opportunity to see a US Army Jeep signed by Second World War veterans.

Alongside these special additions, you can meet reenactors from across the centuries, explore military vehicles, take part in a Redcoat drill experience, enjoy family-friendly crafts and trails, discover objects from the collection and take a behind-the-scenes tour of the Museum archive.

Whether you're a history enthusiast, looking for a family day out or simply searching for something different to do this weekend, there's plenty to enjoy throughout the day.

⏰ 11am–3pm
🎟 £7 Child | £12 Adult | £35 Family Ticket
🎟 Includes full Museum access

Book now and join us for this special anniversary event: https://theblackwatch.co.uk/shop/events-lectures/300-years-of-history/

Looking for somewhere to enjoy lunch, coffee and cake in Perth?Whether you're catching up with friends, enjoying a bite ...
06/06/2026

Looking for somewhere to enjoy lunch, coffee and cake in Perth?

Whether you're catching up with friends, enjoying a bite to eat after exploring the Museum, or simply looking for a relaxed place to stop, our Bistro offers a range of freshly prepared lunches, homemade bakes and hot drinks throughout the day.

Open daily from 9:30am–4pm, with last orders for food at 3pm.

To reserve a table call 01738 638152 (Option 2).

This photograph was taken in July 1938 at the annual camp of the 6th/7th Battalion, The Black Watch at Barry Buddon in A...
04/06/2026

This photograph was taken in July 1938 at the annual camp of the 6th/7th Battalion, The Black Watch at Barry Buddon in Angus.

The camp had a record attendance for the Battalion of 628 Other Ranks and featured the typical competitions and Highland Games, with some serious time also devoted to training as all ranks who attended were put through a tear gas training exercise.

Most of the men included in this photo are named, and the copy belonged to David Phin (lying at the front).

Phin came from Tayport and served in the Territorial Army prior to the Second World War. During wartime, he served in a home defence role in Britain for medical reasons and spent some time stationed in Shetland.

It’s Volunteer Week!We want to say a huge thank you to all our volunteers who play a vital role across The Black Watch C...
02/06/2026

It’s Volunteer Week!

We want to say a huge thank you to all our volunteers who play a vital role across The Black Watch Castle and Museum, supporting everything we do.

From greeting every visitor at front of house and supporting the gift shop, to leading guided tours, running educational workshops, conducting research, helping with events and looking after our grounds so that the Castle gardens are an enjoyable space for all.

We are extremely grateful for their time, enthusiasm and knowledge. Their support helps us share the story of The Black Watch and ensures we can continue delivering a welcoming and engaging experience for all our visitors.

If you’ve ever thought about volunteering, we’d love to hear from you. Whether you’re interested in history, education, retail or meeting new people, there are a range of opportunities to get involved.

📩 Contact us at [email protected] to find out more.

Have you visited the Black Watch Corner of our Gift Shop?Browse a wide range of Black Watch gifts and regimental-inspire...
31/05/2026

Have you visited the Black Watch Corner of our Gift Shop?

Browse a wide range of Black Watch gifts and regimental-inspired items, including clothing such as hoodies, polo shirts and t-shirts featuring the embroidered regimental badge, alongside Black Watch tartan scarves and bags.

You’ll also find accessories and souvenirs including hats, cufflinks, Red Hackles, coasters and glassware, all inspired by the Regiment.

For those interested in the history of The Black Watch, we also stock a range of books exploring its past and heritage.

Whether you’re looking for a gift, a souvenir from your visit or something uniquely Scottish, there’s plenty to explore in store and online.

Every purchase also helps support the work of The Black Watch Regimental Trust.

Pop in next time you visit or browse online: https://theblackwatch.co.uk/shop/

Looking for a family day out with something different this June?Join us on Saturday 13 June for 300 Years of History at ...
29/05/2026

Looking for a family day out with something different this June?

Join us on Saturday 13 June for 300 Years of History at The Black Watch Castle and Museum, a full day of living history, interactive activities and hands-on experiences for all ages.

Meet reenactors from across the centuries, explore military vehicles, take part in a Redcoat drill session, discover objects from the collection and enjoy a range of family-friendly activities throughout the day.

With behind-the-scenes tours, crafts, trails and full Museum access included in your ticket, there’s plenty to explore throughout the day.

⏰ 11am–3pm
🎟 £7 Child | £12 Adult | £35 Family Ticket (Includes 2 adults and up to 4 children)

Tickets are available on our website: https://theblackwatch.co.uk/.../eve.../300-years-of-history/

Have you seen this First World War great coat on display in our temporary exhibition, Highland Laddies?This great coat b...
27/05/2026

Have you seen this First World War great coat on display in our temporary exhibition, Highland Laddies?

This great coat belonged to Major Ronnie Proctor, who joined the Infantry Junior Leaders Battalion in 1961 at just 15 years old.

The Battalion was created in 1952 to provide high quality training for young boys who had the potential to become first class NCOs and Warrant Officers. At the time of joining, recruits were issued uniform items that had been left over from the First World War, including great coats such as this.

Major Proctor went on to serve with The Black Watch for nearly 40 years before retiring in 1999. Following his military career, he became Curator of The Black Watch Museum for 11 years till 2011 and Assistant Regimental Secretary of The Black Watch Association.

He continues to support the Museum today as Honorary Curator and military advisor to the museum team, sharing his knowledge of both the Regiment and the collection and archive.

Included with your Museum ticket, come and visit the temporary exhibition: https://theblackwatch.co.uk/visit/

Last chance to join us for High Tea & History next week!Our next evening takes place on Wednesday 3 June, offering a uni...
25/05/2026

Last chance to join us for High Tea & History next week!

Our next evening takes place on Wednesday 3 June, offering a unique combination of a short gallery talk and a freshly prepared High Tea in the Bistro @ The Castle.

Choose a 15-minute talk in the gallery of your choice, covering the French Wars, Empire, First World War or Second World War, before enjoying High Tea prepared by our chefs.

⏰ From 5:30pm (Museum open from 5pm)
🎟 £27.50 per person

Each ticket also includes an Annual Museum Pass, giving you unlimited return visits for a full year.

If you can’t make this date, our final High Tea & History event will take place on Wednesday 1 July at 5:30pm.

Advance booking is required: https://bit.ly/4177R3K

Address

Balhousie Castle, Hay Street
Perth
PH15HR

Opening Hours

Monday 9:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 9:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 9:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday 9:30am - 4:30pm
Friday 9:30am - 4:30pm
Saturday 9:30am - 4:30pm
Sunday 9:30am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+441738638152

Website

, , , https

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when The Black Watch Castle & Museum posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category