Luncarty: Building History, Archaeology and the Path Along the Tay

For planning a trip, Luncarty offers two distinct themes: historic buildings and archaeological finds on the one hand, and a path along the River Tay between Perth and Luncarty on the other. You can use specific architectural features and widely separated periods to place the area in context, or focus on the riverside path as a separate theme. If you’re looking for a hotel, this distinction can help you define the purpose of your stay more clearly.

Building history and architectural details

Luncarty Home Farm Steading dates from the early 19th century and was altered later in the century. The steading includes a circular horse mill with a conical roof. This brings together an early period of construction and a later alteration, along with a specific architectural feature. The date and distinctive design offer different ways to explore the architecture.

A small mortuary house in Luncarty’s cemetery is built into the slope. The year 1832 is inscribed above its door, and it has a barrel-vaulted roof. A barrel vault is a tunnel-like vault that runs lengthwise. Here, an inscription and specific architectural features sit side by side: the hillside setting and roof shape describe the design, while the year appears above the door.

Church history and archaeological finds

Luncarty appears to have remained a separate parish church throughout the pre-Reformation period. After the parish was incorporated into Redgorton around 1614, Luncarty Parish Church is said to have stood near the cemetery for some time. The two accounts relate to different periods in the church’s history: the parish church’s earlier status and a later location near the burial ground.

Archaeological investigations along the A9 between Luncarty and the Pass of Birnam revealed evidence of human activity spanning 6,000 years. The periods include the Neolithic, Iron Age and Middle Ages. Excavations uncovered Neolithic pits containing broken pottery and stone tools. More than 500 pottery fragments were also found, including Grooved Ware. The broad timespan and variety of finds offer two different ways to explore the history of the corridor: the sequence of periods and the specific objects recovered during the excavations.

Waulkmill and the path along the Tay

In the area around Luncarty, Waulkmill Ferry Bothy formerly served as the eastern terminus of the Waulkmill Chain Ferry across the Tay. This adds a different kind of local history to the archaeological finds: the former role of a ferry crossing the river.

The “River Tay: Perth to Luncarty” path follows the banks of the River Tay from Perth city centre to Luncarty. It uses a flat, paved cycle path and a riverside path. As route information and conditions can change, check them before setting out. You can also return to Perth by bus; check the current service in advance if you plan to use this option.

Discover more destinations: Kinross, St Fillans, Auchterarder, Glencarse, Ochtertyre, Glenalmond, St David's, Scone.

For the wider travel overview: Perth And Kinross.