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Perth Sheriff Court: Difference between revisions

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Coordinates: 56°23′41″N 3°25′33″W / 56.394663°N 3.4259512°W / 56.394663; -3.4259512
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| building_type = [[Sheriff court]]
| building_type = [[Sheriff court]]
| architectural_style = [[Greek revival architecture|Greek Revival]]
| architectural_style = [[Greek Revival architecture|Greek Revival style]]
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| location =
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| architect = Sir [[Robert Smirke (architect)|Robert Smirke]]
| architect = [[Robert Smirke (architect)|Sir Robert Smirke]]
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Originally, court hearings in Perthshire were held in a [[tolbooth]] in the High Street which dated back at least to the 15th century.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://scarf.scot/regional/perth-and-kinross-archaeological-research-framework-2/medieval/7-2-landscape-and-settlement/7-2-8-assembly-places/|title=Assembly Places|publisher=Perth and Kinross Archaeological Research Framework|access-date=5 December 2022}}</ref> In the early 19th century it became necessary to commission a dedicated courthouse: the site the sheriff selected was occupied by [[Gowrie House (Perth, Scotland)|Gowrie House]], the location for the [[Gowrie Conspiracy]], which surrounded an attempt on the life of [[King James VI]] in 1600. Gowrie House is acknowledged with a bronze panel by Sir [[John Steell]] on the south wall of the present building.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.scottish-places.info/features/featurefirst17717.html |title=Ordnance Gazetteer of Scotland: A Graphic and Accurate Description of Every Place in Scotland|authorlink=Francis Hindes Groome|year=1901|accessdate=5 December 2022}}</ref>
Originally, court hearings in Perthshire were held in a [[tolbooth]] in the High Street which dated back at least to the 15th century.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://scarf.scot/regional/perth-and-kinross-archaeological-research-framework-2/medieval/7-2-landscape-and-settlement/7-2-8-assembly-places/|title=Assembly Places|publisher=Perth and Kinross Archaeological Research Framework|access-date=5 December 2022}}</ref> In the early 19th century it became necessary to commission a dedicated courthouse: the site the sheriff selected was occupied by [[Gowrie House (Perth, Scotland)|Gowrie House]], the location for the [[Gowrie Conspiracy]], which surrounded an attempt on the life of [[King James VI]] in 1600. Gowrie House is acknowledged with a bronze panel by Sir [[John Steell]] on the south wall of the present building.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.scottish-places.info/features/featurefirst17717.html |title=Ordnance Gazetteer of Scotland: A Graphic and Accurate Description of Every Place in Scotland|authorlink=Francis Hindes Groome|year=1901|accessdate=5 December 2022}}</ref>


The new building was designed by [[Robert Smirke (architect)|Sir Robert Smirke]] in the [[Greek revival architecture|Greek Revival style]], built in [[ashlar]] stone at a cost of £32,000 and was completed in 1819.<ref name=hes/> The design involved a symmetrical main frontage of thirteen bays facing Tay Street. The central section of seven bays featured an [[octostyle]] [[portico]] formed by a [[colonnade]] of ten fluted [[Doric order]] columns supporting an [[entablature]], a [[frieze]] and a [[pediment]]. The outer sections of three bays each were fenestrated by [[sash window]]s with [[architrave]]s and [[cornice]]s.<ref name=hes/> Internally, the principal room was the justiciary hall on the first floor at the back of the building and the Sheriff's Court and Sheriff's clerk's office in the north wing.<ref name=penny>{{cite book|url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Traditions_of_Perth_containing_sketches/vF4PAAAAYAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=&pg=PA313&printsec=frontcover|title=Traditions of Perth, containing sketches of the manners and customs of the inhabitants, and notices of public occurrences, during the last century etc.|page=313|first=George|last= Penny |year=1836|publisher=Dewar, Sidey, Morison, Peat, and Drummond}}</ref>
The new building was designed by [[Robert Smirke (architect)|Sir Robert Smirke]] in the [[Greek Revival architecture|Greek Revival style]], built in [[ashlar]] stone at a cost of £32,000 and was completed in 1819.<ref name=hes/> The design involved a symmetrical main frontage of thirteen bays facing Tay Street. The central section of seven bays featured an [[octostyle]] [[portico]] formed by a [[colonnade]] of ten fluted [[Doric order]] columns supporting an [[entablature]], a [[frieze]] and a [[pediment]]. The outer sections of three bays each were fenestrated by [[sash window]]s with [[architrave]]s and [[cornice]]s.<ref name=hes/> Internally, the principal room was the justiciary hall on the first floor at the back of the building and the Sheriff's Court and Sheriff's clerk's office in the north wing.<ref name=penny>{{cite book|url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Traditions_of_Perth_containing_sketches/vF4PAAAAYAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=&pg=PA313&printsec=frontcover|title=Traditions of Perth, containing sketches of the manners and customs of the inhabitants, and notices of public occurrences, during the last century etc.|page=313|first=George|last= Penny |year=1836|publisher=Dewar, Sidey, Morison, Peat, and Drummond}}</ref>


Following the implementation of the [[Local Government (Scotland) Act 1889]], which established county councils in every county, the new county leaders needed to identify offices for [[Perthshire|Perthshire County Council]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Shennan |first=Hay |title=Boundaries of Counties and Parishes in Scotland: as settled by the Boundary Commissioners under the Local Government (Scotland) Act, 1889 |year=1892 |publisher=William Green & Sons |location=Edinburgh |url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_meygAAAAMAAJ/page/n5 |via=Internet Archive}}</ref> A council chamber was established, for this purpose, in the south wing of the building.<ref name=penny/>
Following the implementation of the [[Local Government (Scotland) Act 1889]], which established county councils in every county, the new county leaders needed to identify offices for [[Perthshire|Perthshire County Council]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Shennan |first=Hay |title=Boundaries of Counties and Parishes in Scotland: as settled by the Boundary Commissioners under the Local Government (Scotland) Act, 1889 |year=1892 |publisher=William Green & Sons |location=Edinburgh |url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_meygAAAAMAAJ/page/n5 |via=Internet Archive}}</ref> A council chamber was established, for this purpose, in the south wing of the building.<ref name=penny/>

Revision as of 17:07, 5 December 2022

Sheriff Court
The building in 2013
Map
General information
TypeSheriff court
Architectural styleGreek Revival style
AddressTay Street
Perth, Perth and Kinross
CountryScotland
Coordinates56°23′41″N 3°25′33″W / 56.394663°N 3.4259512°W / 56.394663; -3.4259512
Completed1819; 205 years ago (1819)
Design and construction
Architect(s)Sir Robert Smirke
Other information
Public transit accessNational Rail Perth
Website
www.scotcourts.gov.uk/the-courts/court-locations/perth-sheriff-court-and-justice-of-the-peace-court
Listed Building – Category A
Official namePerth Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court, Tay Street, Perth
Designated20 May 1965
Reference no.LB39325

Perth Sheriff Court is an historic building on Tay Street in Perth, Perth and Kinross, Scotland. The structure, which is used as the main courthouse for the area, is a Category A listed building.[1]

History

Originally, court hearings in Perthshire were held in a tolbooth in the High Street which dated back at least to the 15th century.[2] In the early 19th century it became necessary to commission a dedicated courthouse: the site the sheriff selected was occupied by Gowrie House, the location for the Gowrie Conspiracy, which surrounded an attempt on the life of King James VI in 1600. Gowrie House is acknowledged with a bronze panel by Sir John Steell on the south wall of the present building.[3]

The new building was designed by Sir Robert Smirke in the Greek Revival style, built in ashlar stone at a cost of £32,000 and was completed in 1819.[1] The design involved a symmetrical main frontage of thirteen bays facing Tay Street. The central section of seven bays featured an octostyle portico formed by a colonnade of ten fluted Doric order columns supporting an entablature, a frieze and a pediment. The outer sections of three bays each were fenestrated by sash windows with architraves and cornices.[1] Internally, the principal room was the justiciary hall on the first floor at the back of the building and the Sheriff's Court and Sheriff's clerk's office in the north wing.[4]

Following the implementation of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1889, which established county councils in every county, the new county leaders needed to identify offices for Perthshire County Council.[5] A council chamber was established, for this purpose, in the south wing of the building.[4]

Following the implementation of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1929, the administration of the county of Perthshire and of the neighbouring county of Kinross-shire were combined under a joint council based at the former hospital building in York Place which became known as the "County Offices".[6] The building in Tay Street then reverted to being used solely for judicial purposes. The courtrooms continued to be used for hearings of the sheriff's court and for hearings of the justice of the peace court.[7]

  • Closer view
    Closer view
  • The building, with Perth behind it, viewed from Kinnoull
    The building, with Perth behind it, viewed from Kinnoull

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c Historic Environment Scotland. "Perth Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court, Tay Street, Perth (LB39325)". Retrieved 5 December 2022.
  2. ^ "Assembly Places". Perth and Kinross Archaeological Research Framework. Retrieved 5 December 2022.
  3. ^ "Ordnance Gazetteer of Scotland: A Graphic and Accurate Description of Every Place in Scotland". 1901. Retrieved 5 December 2022.
  4. ^ a b Penny, George (1836). Traditions of Perth, containing sketches of the manners and customs of the inhabitants, and notices of public occurrences, during the last century etc. Dewar, Sidey, Morison, Peat, and Drummond. p. 313.
  5. ^ Shennan, Hay (1892). Boundaries of Counties and Parishes in Scotland: as settled by the Boundary Commissioners under the Local Government (Scotland) Act, 1889. Edinburgh: William Green & Sons – via Internet Archive.
  6. ^ "Perth & Kinross Council Archive Collections County records" (PDF). Perth and Kinross County Council. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
  7. ^ "Perth Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court". Scottish Courts & Tribunals. Retrieved 5 December 2022.


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