Perth, Rose Terrace, Old Perth Academy, Category A listed building in Rose Terrace, Perth, Scotland
The Old Perth Academy is a Georgian-style building on Rose Terrace featuring a balustraded parapet, a central clock, and sculptural figures adorning its roofline. Britannia and the British Lion stand as prominent decorative elements above the street, adding to its formal appearance.
Designed by architect Robert Reid in 1803, the building served as Perth Academy for over 130 years as a primary educational institution. The school relocated to the Viewlands area in 1932, after which the structure was repurposed for other uses.
This was a major learning center for the city, housing classrooms for mathematics, sciences, classical languages, and the arts. The building reflects the importance it held in Perth's intellectual and social development.
The building now functions as office space in a central Perth location while maintaining its external architectural features for public view. The Georgian facade is clearly visible and easily accessible from the public Rose Terrace street.
Sculptor William Birnie Rhind added the rooftop statues in 1886, though Britannia's trident had been missing for over 100 years until its restoration in 2020. This recent repair returned a sculptural detail that defined the figure for most of the last century.
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