Imprints from the past

The citizens of Perth took great pride in the Burgh Kirk and the names of Baillie Fullar and his wife Mariotta, are carved, above head height, on a pillar at the east end - probably because they contributed to the cost of this part of the building in the 15th century.

The merchants and craftsmen formed the Guildry and Incorporated Trades, and contributed towards the maintenance of individual altars in the Kirk, where mass would be said for the souls of their dead fellow members. These altars were swept away at the Reformation. As a privilege, the Incorporated Trades were allowed to build seating for their members - at a time when the ordinary folk would stand to hear the services, or bring a stool. The Wrights Incorporation was given permission in 1582 to erect "decent, comely and honourable seats" in the north transept.

Masons marks on stones are witness to the work of individual  stonemasons in the building of the Kirk. In an age when  literacy was uncommon, these marks identified the work of individual men.

The Mercer Family had the right of burial within the Kirk. The story goes that this was granted in return for the Mercers giving the Inches (open land to the north and south of the town) to the people of Perth. There was a burial as late as 1822, but the vault was closed in 1923. The richly painted funeral hatchment is illustrated together with the later memorial plaque.

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