Perth dig brings medieval mysteries of murdered king's monastery to light

Centuries of Perth history have resurfaced in a major archaeological dig in the heart of the city

Researchers have spent the week excavating the grounds of King James VI Hospital in search of treasures from the Perth Charterhouse.

Once one of the most splendid holy sites in Scotland, the monastery was founded by King James I of Scotland.

It became his last resting place following his assassination in Perth in 1437.

But no evidence of its presence remains above ground.

And this is the first dig ever carried out at its location.

The Perth Charterhouse dig team believe they have struck “gold” in the unlikely form of an old drain.

It was likely built in the 18th century, around the same time as the hospital.

But some of the stone used in its construction is much older and of high quality.

Experts at the scene believe it’s medieval.

And it’s possible it could be remnants from the old charterhouse, which was attacked and plundered following a thundering sermon by John Knox in St John’s Kirk in 1559.

The finds will be sent for further testing.

In time, the Perth Charterhouse dig team hope they might help them to identify other stones from the monastery, which would have been re-used in in buildings and other structures across the city and beyond.

Public pore over Perth Charterhouse dig site

Dr Lucy Dean, from the Centre of History at UHI, says it’s been an incredible week, both in terms of discoveries and public involvement.

Local and student volunteers have helped with everything from removing turf by hand to showing visitors round the site.

Scores of people have enjoyed walking tours around what would have been the precincts of the Perth Charterhouse, stretching from Hospital Street to the South Inch

And the team are holding another open day today, Saturday, from 10am to 4pm, before they pack up and leave the site.

“There’s been so much interest from local people,” said Lucy.

“Lots of people have been popping their heads over the wall to say ‘what have you found there?’

“One of them was a stonemason who was able to tell us the stone we were looking at was possibly a flagstone,” Lucy added.

“The signs of wear are from people walking on it, maybe even Carthusian monks.”

‘Facts of Perth’s history far better than any myth’

The dig has also thrown up many smaller, but no less exciting objects.

These include fragments of pottery which could date back to the era of the Perth Charterhouse.

Other more modern finds will add to understanding about the citizens who lived and worked around the area in the centuries since.

Items, including broken pipes, glass marbles, animal bones and handmade bricks, will be on display at the dig site on Saturday.

And this week has also given researchers a greater insight into what else lies buried nearby, including a possible Jacobite ditch.

“You can never predict what you’re going to find on a dig,” said Richard Oram from Stirling University, one of Lucy’s co-investigators.

“But I can’t emphasise enough how good this one has been in terms of giving us answers.

“In archaeological terms, Perth is an incredibly rich town,” Richard added.

“But there’s so much about its history that isn’t widely known.

“A lot of the stories people do tell tend to be based in myth rather than facts.

“But when you get into the evidence, it’s better than any myth.”

Supporters of the Perth Charterhouse Dig include the Perthshire Society of Natural Science, the King James VI Hospital Trust and the Guildry Incorporation of Perth.