Supporting Statement
On presenting the Perth Civic Trust’s Biennial Award 2011, Dr John Hulbert,...
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On presenting the Perth Civic Trust’s Biennial Award 2011, Dr John Hulbert, Provost of Perth and Kinross, said “I am hugely impressed by the restoration of the Fair Maid’s House. It has been faithful to the architecture of the building, and yet provides a modern environment for study, and for the exhibition of the Society’s important artefacts. After decades of uncertainty, this historic building will, once again, play a vital role in Perth’s academic and cultural future.”
The Fair Maid’s House has been totally revitalised. What was an unused, unloved and increasingly dilapidated building has been rejuvenated as a modern building with the potential to become a vibrant centre of geographical activity in Perth and a new geographical heart of Scotland. The building is now open to the public, schools and groups throughout most of the year. It also houses the RSGS’s collections, and makes these accessible to the public for the first time in nearly 130 years. The Fair Maid’s House development is part of a wider strategy by Perth and Kinross Council to find new purpose for old buildings, and as one of Perth’s most popular and iconic buildings is an important precedent for future developments in the town.
There is a deep connection between the Fair Maid’s House and the Society which now calls it home. Both have a long heritage and history; and both have recently been adapted and infused with a vibrant sense of modern purpose. The Fair Maid’s House is now a dynamic, up to date facility yet celebrates the best of the past, which allows the RSGS to connect with the local community and the wider world of geography.