The Black Watch Castle & Museum

The Black Watch Castle & Museum

The Black Watch Castle & Museum
4.5
Military MuseumsSpeciality MuseumsCastles
9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Monday
9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Tuesday
9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Wednesday
9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday
9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday
9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Saturday
9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Sunday
9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
About
The Black Watch Castle and Museum is a 5 star multi- award winning visitor attraction located in the Perth. 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 brings this colourful Highland Regiment’s history to life, through artefacts, personal stories and interactive displays. Relax and unwind in the welcome ambience of the Castle Cafe. The seasonal menu offers an appealing selection of meals, snacks, soups, desserts and afternoon tea created with quality ingredients of local provenance. 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 venue is a unique and compelling location which can also host weddings, offer private dining, exclusive use of the Castle, group and bespoke tours.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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  • red69hoss
    Stafford, Virginia752 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Fantastic in Every Way
    This is now one of my favorite museums in the world. My tour guide/docent, Jim Paterson, was supremely knowledgeable and interesting. The artifacts and their presentation are beautiful and very moving. The history of the Black Watch is absolutely fascinating and the stories of their spellbinding. The centuries are spellbinding. This museum is a MUST SEE, and I highly recommend you pay the extra money for a guided tour.
    Thank you for taking the time to write a review and we are thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your experience with us. We have passed on your kind words to Jim about his Guided Tour.
    Written November 1, 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited October 2023
    Traveled solo
    Written October 8, 2023
  • Flamingo
    Glasgow, United Kingdom21 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A very interesting museum
    This is a very interesting museum with a lot of historical detail provided, interactive displays and fascinating objects to view. It covers two floors with plenty to see. The building is beautiful with period features and lovely grounds. There is an impressive huge metal sculpture outside the entrance and a good shop and restaurant. The staff are helpful.
    Thank you for taking the time to leave such a wonderful review! We are thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your visit to the museum and its many exhibits, as well as our beautiful building and grounds.
    Written November 1, 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited October 2023
    Traveled with family
    Written October 21, 2023
  • kiwimaxwell
    Auchterarder, United Kingdom355 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Learn all about The Black Watch!
    Enjoyed our visit to the museum. Interesting collection of o hectares including serval VCs. Spread over two floors of the castle. We were there around 90 mins. Also a great Bistro/cafe (we had v gd breakfast) and gift shop. Sobering memorial garden. A 15 mins walk from the city centre or parking on site.
    Thank you so much for visiting The Black Watch Castle and Museum! We're delighted to hear you enjoyed exploring our captivating collection in the museum and indulging in a delicious breakfast at our Bistro. We hope to welcome you back for another memorable visit soon!
    Written March 1, 2024
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited November 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written November 14, 2023
  • Simona K
    5 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Lovely and educational
    Visited as part of a mother/daughter trip to Perth and initially spotted the signs for this castle/museum from the nearby park, and thought we’d give it a visit to kill some time. As it turns out, we spent the better part of the mid-morning exploring the beautiful museum. There was so much to see! It covered an incredibly broad period of time. We opted out of the guided tour which we regretted in hindsight, but the lovely gentleman who I presume was the tour guide ended up finding us in a few of the rooms and giving us a mini-tour anyways, which was a very welcome surprise. He was so knowledgeable and warm, his story telling was compelling and we were both hooked. I learned more from our interactions than I would have from just reading each plaque and information sign. He is a true credit to the museum. I cannot stress just how much we enjoyed ourselves!
    Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience with us! We're thrilled to hear that our museum provided you with an educational and memorable experience. We're delighted that our tour guide was able to provide you with an impromptu mini-tour and share their knowledge on The Black Watch with you both. We'll be sure to pass along your kind words to them We hope to welcome you back again soon for another delightful visit!
    Written March 1, 2024
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited November 2023
    Traveled with friends
    Written November 27, 2023
  • sectioncommand
    Invergowrie, United Kingdom145 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great museum. Nice visit.
    Excellent museum very good information , lots to learn and see. Staff were very helpful and friendly, nice lift to get to the other floors so great access to all areas, shop was good too. Visited the restaurant too and can safely say food was excellent great choice and pleasant staff. Definitely worth a visit
    Thank you for your glowing review! We're thrilled to hear that you had a fantastic experience at our The Black Watch Museum. Our team strives to provide an informative and friendly experience, and we're delighted that you found our exhibits and facilities enjoyable. We hope to welcome you back for another visit soon!
    Written March 4, 2024
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited February 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written March 2, 2024
  • Cass
    5 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Much better than expected!
    As we often do now, we plumped for a guided tour which allowed us to have breakfast in the cafe. Jim, our guide, was brilliant and incredibly knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the Regiment. So much so that we went over the allotted time. The museum is well worth a visit when in Perth. We also had Sunday lunch in the cafe which, sadly, did not live up to expectations.
    Thank you for sharing your experience with us! We're thrilled to hear that Jim provided an excellent guided tour, showcasing his enthusiasm and knowledge about the Regiment. However, we're sorry to learn that your Sunday lunch experience didn't meet your expectations. We appreciate your feedback and will look into improving our cafe offerings. We hope to welcome you back for another visit soon!
    Written May 3, 2024
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited March 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written March 22, 2024
  • Blaau
    24 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Well worth a visit.
    It was a rainy day and we were looking for somewhere indoors to escape the rain. We were so glad that we chose the Black Watch Museum. Really enjoyable. The museum is well laid out. The history of the Black Watch is fascinating as are the numerous exhibits. As added bonuses the museum has its own car park and an excellent cafe.
    Thank you so much for your kind words! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your visit to the Black Watch Museum despite the rainy weather. It's wonderful to know that you found the museum's layout appealing and the history of the Black Watch fascinating. Your feedback means a lot to us, and we hope to welcome you back again soon!
    Written May 3, 2024
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited April 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written April 28, 2024
  • Struan101
    Dollar, United Kingdom71 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A wonderful experience
    Really excellent museum, covering regiment from formation to 2006. Loads of stuff from all eras to look at and read about. Don't miss the VCs on display and the stories behind them - truly awe inspiring. Massive shout out to staff member Jim who gave use loads of extra information, was really friendly and incredibly enthusiastic. He is my new best mate!! Bistro was also wonderful. Very tasty food, at reasonable prices, served by very friendly staff. All in all a great way to spend an afternoon.
    Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear you enjoyed your visit and found our exhibits inspiring. We'll make sure to pass on your kind words to the Bistro team and Jim who will be delighted to know he made such an impact on your visit! We hope to welcome you back soon!
    Written June 25, 2024
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited June 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written June 10, 2024
  • Elysia
    10 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great insight into the history of the Black Watch
    Cannot express how wonderful the staff are at the Black Watch Museum. Right from the moment we entered they were helpful and friendly. My Great Great Grandfather fought and died for the Black Watch in WW1 and seeing his name in the memorial room was an emotional moment. The rest of the museum is full of the history of every decade and was informative and a great tribute to all the soldiers. I'd definitely go back.
    Thank you so much for your heartfelt review. We're honoured to have provided a meaningful experience, especially in remembering your Great Great Grandfather's service. Our team takes great pride in sharing the history of The Black Watch, and we're glad you found the museum informative and moving. We look forward to welcoming you back!
    Written June 25, 2024
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited June 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written June 22, 2024
  • Mali166
    Wagga Wagga, Australia6 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A truly excellent tour with superb volunteer guide.
    Sam, the excellent host at the Arisaig Guesthouse recommended the tour.We were not disappointed. We were very fortunate to have volunteer Rosemary as our tour guide. She was a very presentable, elegant and well spoken lady with incredibly knowledge with a wry sense of humour. Although my wife and I are not war museum buffs we thoroughly enjoyed this tour. A fire alarm interrupted Rosemary’s concluding talk but, after a short few minutes standing in the museum yard, the four of us on this tour were quickly rounded up for the summary. I rate this tour a must for visitors to Perth. I would have liked to have taken Rosemary back to Australia but I feel my wife would have had a few words to say about that.
    Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed the tour and that Rosemary made such a positive impression. We'll certainly pass on your compliments to Rosemary. We hope to welcome you back to The Black Watch Castle and Museum soon.
    Written July 25, 2024
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited July 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written July 7, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles1,058 reviews
Excellent
758
Very good
256
Average
34
Poor
3
Terrible
7

Anthony H
Suffolk, UK79 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2020 • Friends
What a great little Museum. Friendly welcoming staff, well thought out and executed COVID-19 precautions both in the museum itself and in the shop & cafe as well.
Anyone wanting to learn about the history of the Black Watch will find plenty of information and exhibits and the route through the building gives an easy to follow chronological sequence from the foundation to the present day.
Written September 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your 5 star review.
Written September 15, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Lorraine Z
161 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2022 • Couples
Very much wanted to visit the Black Watch Museum on a recent visit to Scotland having had a father who had been in the regiment during WWII. The guided tour was probably one of the best tours we've ever had. The guide was extremely knowledgeable and put things across in such a way as to make it interesting but also very poignant. The Castle itself is a beautiful building. Nice cafe.
Written September 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Avril O
38 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2023 • Couples
Enjoyed a very informative and fascinating visit to the museum. We were looked after by Jim who is so knowledgeable, helpful and friendly. The museum hosts an incredible collection of historic items and tells the story of the Black Watch in a really engaging way. The castle provides a stunning backdrop for the collection. We had a really tasty lunch in the Bistro, great choice and value. Thank you to the whole team for a great day out, you are all amazing. Interesting to know that the majority of the team are volunteers.
Written March 26, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

carolliddell3
Edinburgh, UK3 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2020 • Couples
Bought an itison voucher for brunch and tour nov 2019.Booked the brunch and tour for24th March 2020.On 20thMarch they called and cancelled due to Covid lockdown but they would get in touch when they opened again.Never happened so as we are going into level 0 I called to use my voucher. Too late apparently and I have to fight Itison to get my money back . They offered me a complimentary tour and suggested I buy my own brunch ! They say my contract is with Itison not them yet it was them that “ deferred” not cancelled my visit . Very disappointed. The complimentary tour offered is the same price as the money I have already paid so not really complimentary for me.
Written July 15, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Harry D
South Shields, UK178 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2021 • Family
Visited the castle and while there had a tour around the museum which is full of interesting artefacts and excellent displays about the regiment . As we have family ties both my father and uncle served in the watch we found it especially interesting.
Afterwards we had refreshments in the cafe , which is very reasonable priced.
Well worth a visit if your in Perth , or just a military history buff. Highly Recommended .
Written August 6, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for taking the time to give us your feedback. We are pleased to hear you enjoyed your Bistro visit and found the Museum interesting, which can be especially moving when you have family ties to the Regiment.
Written August 16, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Giulia Z
Durham, UK117 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2022
We visited this museum as it was one of the closer on foot, and we were well rewarded. I knew absolutely nothing about the Black Watch, let alone about Scottish military history. This museum was very informative, with a great range of exhibition styles and really wonderful staff. I loved that it was a well-balanced museum, with lots of interesting things but not too much stuff that bores you out. A good mix of interactive, antiques, modern, and good captions too. Really fantastic stuff, a great surprise and a worthwhile stop to learn about the history of Scottish pride, clothing and a military regiment that is entwined with it.
Written August 8, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for giving us 5 stars Giulia. It's wonderful to hear you appreciated the Museum and the story told within. We are delighted to choose you to visit us during your trip.
Written August 12, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Richie L
Metheringham, UK14 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2024 • Couples
Had a great day at the Museum and something to eat in their bistro. The history of the Black Watch along with the displays and exhibits were excellent. There is so much information that it was difficult to absorb it all in one day, which is fine because the entrance fee is valid for a year and was given an annual pass for unlimited returns!

We stopped halfway through the tour for a bite to eat in the bistro cafe, and was delighted. Thanks to Heather for pointing out the steak and black pudding pie! It was amazing. My wife had the baked tattie which was also really nice.

I have to say the staff were all great, and had a good blether and laugh with the ladies in the gift shop. Thank you thank you thank you (they will know what I mean!)

As a veteran I was given a concession for the museum and 10% off the gift shop and bistro (defence discount card required).

Great day out! Thanks again
Written September 4, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for your fantastic review! We're thrilled to hear that you had a great day exploring the museum and enjoying a meal in our bistro. It’s wonderful to know that you found the history and exhibits engaging, and that you appreciated the convenience of the annual pass. We’re thrilled that you enjoyed your meal in our bistro and that Heather's recommendation of the steak and black pudding pie hit the mark. It’s also great to know that you had a pleasant time with our staff and in the gift shop. We’ll be sure to pass on your thanks to everyone involved; they’ll be chuffed to hear it! We hope to welcome you back soon for another great day out. Thanks again for your lovely feedback!
Written September 5, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Simona K
5 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2023 • Friends
Visited as part of a mother/daughter trip to Perth and initially spotted the signs for this castle/museum from the nearby park, and thought we’d give it a visit to kill some time. As it turns out, we spent the better part of the mid-morning exploring the beautiful museum. There was so much to see! It covered an incredibly broad period of time. We opted out of the guided tour which we regretted in hindsight, but the lovely gentleman who I presume was the tour guide ended up finding us in a few of the rooms and giving us a mini-tour anyways, which was a very welcome surprise. He was so knowledgeable and warm, his story telling was compelling and we were both hooked. I learned more from our interactions than I would have from just reading each plaque and information sign. He is a true credit to the museum. I cannot stress just how much we enjoyed ourselves!
Written November 27, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience with us! We're thrilled to hear that our museum provided you with an educational and memorable experience. We're delighted that our tour guide was able to provide you with an impromptu mini-tour and share their knowledge on The Black Watch with you both. We'll be sure to pass along your kind words to them We hope to welcome you back again soon for another delightful visit!
Written March 1, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

john n
Leeds, United Kingdom2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2024 • Couples
Having travelled from near Leeds west Yorkshire to the Museum, we were met with a very friendly reception from all, as a pre- organised visit to see details of my late father-in-law who served with the company through word war 2, both me and my wife couldn't thank the people we met enough, all that aside, a visit alone is well worth the effort, with an amazing castle and grounds to explore.
Also if you require feeding! a visit to the Bistro is an absolute must, very very fresh food, cooked and presented extremely well, would recommend the aforementioned for at least a Michelin star, also the staff were very pleasant, not something you get nowadays, even in Michelin restaurant's.
Overall a fantastic experience thanks to all.
Regards John and Yvonne
Written September 26, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you, John and Yvonne, for your wonderful review! We're delighted to hear that your visit to The Black Watch Castle and Museum was so meaningful, especially as you explored your late father-in-law's history. We're delighted that you also found both the Museum and Castle to be worth the journey from West Yorkshire. It’s fantastic to hear you also had such a great time in our Bistro – we'll be sure to pass on your lovely comments to the chefs and staff. We look forward to welcoming you back in the future!
Written September 30, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Pickinmypocket
Glasgow, UK52 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2022
This is a well managed and very well presented museum, which tells the story of the Black Watch without descending into sentiment or military cliché. That being said, there are touching moments of bravery and sacrifice throughout the exhibits, and they are very moving. The number of Victoria Crosses on display speaks for itself, and the manner in which they were earned is both inspiring and touching. Staff were helpful, friendly and informative. The castle stands in lovely grounds and has an excellent café attached along with very good parking. Altogether an excellent visit and highly recommended.
Written October 14, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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The Black Watch Castle & Museum, Perth

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