The Hauntings at Black Watch Castle and Museum

The Black Watch Castle & Museum is a 5 star visitor attraction comprising The Black Watch Museum, Gift Shop and Castle Bistro. We share the story of Scotland’s oldest Highland Regiment, The Black Watch through our Museum collection, events and education programme.

The attraction is managed by The Black Watch Regimental Trust, a charitable organisation whose mission includes delivering welfare to Black Watch veterans, encouraging comradeship and maintenance of memorials, caring for the Museum collection, and sustaining the Home of The Black Watch for current and future generations.

They are located in Perth, Scotland at Balhousie Castle, Hay Street, Perth, PH1 5HR.

T:   01738 638152
E:  [email protected]
W: theblackwatch.co.uk

1st April – 31st October

• Castle and Museum | 9.30am-4.30pm
• Castle Bistro | 9.30am-4.00pm

1st November – 31st March

• Castle and Museum | 10.00am-4.00pm
• Castle Bistro | 10.00am-3.30pm

Car
If using Stat Nav or google maps enter our postcode - PH1 5HR to view suggested routes. 

Train
Perth rail station is located on Leonard Street (PH2 8RT) and is within 15 minutes walking distance of the Castle and Museum - to plan your journey and check train times, click here.

Bus
Perth bus station is also located on Leonard Street (PH2 8HB) and is on several national and local bus networks, including Scottish Citylink and Megabus.  It is a 15 minute walk to the Castle and Museum. 

Walking or Cycling
To find suggested walking and cycle routes to the Castle and Museum see here. Enter your starting point and press search – the map will generate options for you to select. We have racks in our car park to secure your bike. 

There are taxi ranks at Perth train station (which is across the road from the bus station) and elsewhere in the city centre.
For comprehensive travel information, please contact Traveline Scotland online or by telephone: 0871 200 22 33
 

• Toilets 
• Gift Shop
• Castle Bistro
• Outdoor eating area
• Children’s playpark
• Car park with blue badge parking
• Bicycle parking rack

Yes, Black Watch Castle & Museum is a fully accessible venue, please see their website here for full details.

Dogs are welcome in the Castle grounds and there are water bowls in the courtyard. There is also direct access to the nearby North Inch parklands which provides a lovely area for dog walking. Guide and service dogs can access all areas.
 

Car Parking 

• There is a free onsite car park for visitors. There are a variety of paid car parks within walking distance which can be viewed here.
• Blue badge parking is available in the visitor car park.

Park and Ride
There are two Park and Ride sites operating in Perth, which provide convenient parking next to departure points for buses into Perth City Centre.  

• Perth Park and Ride 
• Scone Park and Ride

Coach Drop Off and Parking

• The visitor car park has a turning circle which enables coaches to safely drop off visitors and then exit. There are designated coach drop-off/pick-up bays in Bridge Lane, George Street, Glover Street and South Street. Coach parking is available in the South Inch car park.

EV/Ebike Charge Points

• There are no electric charge points on site however Perth does have several charging stations throughout the city – full detail can be seen here.

Following his time with us, The Hauntings will travel back to his owners where he will take up his final position on the Somerset hills.

Yes, there is a programme of events based on 3 themes:

•    Celebrating Culture, History and Heritage | 1st July – 31st August
•    The Impact of Conflict | 1st September – 31st October
•    Remembrance | 1st November – 12th November

See www.theblackwatch.co.uk for details > 

The Hauntings is a six metre tall metal sculpture of war weary soldier, made to commemorate the centenary of the First World War. He was inspired by sightings of a ghostly soldier seen wandering around the Somerset hills where the owner grew up. It was then that he was named The Hauntings.

The Hauntings will be positioned outside in the Castle courtyard.

The sculpture is free to view although donations are welcomed. All monies raised help us to secure and display travelling exhibitions and installations such as The Hauntings and support our charitable aims. 

Should you wish to explore the history of The Black Watch by visiting the museum you can view admission prices here. 
 

He was designed by artist Martin Galbavy and made by blacksmith Chris Hannam and made at Dorset Forge and Fabrication at North Wotton near Sherborne, England.

He is made from over 1,000 pieces of scrap metal including horseshoes, brake discs and car jacks. The larger pieces are from a local scrap dealer’s yard in Sherborne, the smaller pieces are left over from projects at the forge and parts that have been donated by local residents.

The inspiration behind the sculpture came from reported sightings of a ghostly soldier seen wandering around the Somerset hills looking for his way home.

Martin (the artist) used Chris as his life-size model and then multiplied any measurements until he reached the required size. As this was the artist’s first project, he and Chris decided to go big!

5 months from start to finish.

Approximately 1.8 ton.

On his journey from Dorset to Perth, which lasted over 9 hours, he travelled on a low loader lorry in 3 pieces, legs, torso, and his rifle. 

It can take between 2-4 hours, depending on location.

No. He is privately owned by Jo Oliver and Paul Richards, who commissioned him to be made.

We believe the badge on his cap takes inspiration from the cap badge belonging to The Royal Artillery. 

The coat of arms on his chest is a symbol that represents a specific family or person. We believe this one is fictitious as it does not relate to any family heraldry we can identify. 

There is a 5 minute talk every hour and a souvenir brochure is available for purchase. Our staff and Hauntings Helpers will be in hand to answer any questions.

From Saturday 1st July until Thursday 12th November 2023

Following his time in Perth, The Hauntings will travel back to his owners where he will take up his final position on the Somerset hills.