Vennels of Perth
{{short description|Small streets and footpaths in Perth, Scotland}}
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{{Use British English|date=September 2021}}
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| image = File:Cutlog Vennel - geograph.org.uk - 2067399.jpg
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| caption = Cutlog Vennel, which is about {{convert|300|feet}} long, is one of several vennels connecting Mill Street and High Street
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| location = Perth, Perth and Kinross, Scotland
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The vennels of Perth are a collection of small medieval streets in the city of Perth, Scotland.[https://www.perthcity.co.uk/blog/lanes-and-vennels-of-perth Lanes and Vennels of Perth] – PerthCity.co.uk Similar to York's Snickelways, vennels are a public right-of-way passageway between the gables of buildings which can, in effect, be a minor street. In Scotland, the term originated in royal burghs created in the twelfth century, the word deriving from the Old French word venelle meaning "alley" or "lane". Unlike a tenement entry to private property, known as a "close", a vennel was a public way leading from a typical high street to the open ground beyond the burgage plots.S Harris, The Place Names of Edinburgh, London 2002 The Latin form is venella, related to the English word "funnel".
Perth developed from an initial plan of two parallel streets — High Street and South Street — linked by several vennels leading north and south. The names of these vennels have historic origins, and many — such as Cow Vennel and Fleshers Vennel — reflect the trades associated with their foundation. South Street was originally terminated at its eastern end by Gowrie House (the site of today's Perth Sheriff Court). Upon its demolition in the early 19th century, direct access was granted to the river.Perth History Tour, Jack Gillon (2020) {{isbn|9781398101425}}
In 2018, Perth architect Fergus Purdie put forward a design to revamp a space off of Guard Vennel. If it were to be accepted, it would become a temporary events space.[https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/overhaul-vision-vennels-perth-city-13785252 "Overhaul vision for vennels in Perth city centre"] – Daily Record, 28 December 2018 The plan was approved, on a city-wide scale, in March 2019.[https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/perth-kinross/847688/ambitious-plan-approved-to-transform-historic-perth-back-street/ "Ambitious plan to transform Perth’s historic vennels approved"] – The Courier, 14 March, 2019
List of Perth's vennels
File:Meat Vennel.jpg Square[https://www.pressreader.com/uk/the-courier-advertiser-perth-and-perthshire-edition/20170308/282647507314510 "Life through a lens: Archive images of the Fair City"] – The Courier, 8 March, 2017]]
File:Cutlog Vennel (geograph 4711403).jpg
{{incomplete list|date=September 2021}}
Below is a list of Perth's vennels (and the streets they connect).
- Baxters Vennel[http://www.perthcivictrust.org.uk/staging/?page_id=480 Civic History of Perth from Medieval Times] – Perth Civic Trust (St John's Place to Watergate) – Baxter is the old Scots name for baker
- Burt's Close[https://www.culturepk.org.uk/venue-hire/vennels-mill-street/ Burt's Vennels, Mill Street] – Culture Perth & Kinross
- Cow Vennel[https://www.thetimes.com/uk/scotland/article/perth-projects-its-medieval-past-with-vr-kjc02k5px "Perth projects its medieval past with VR"] – The Sunday Times, 7 July, 2017[https://digital.nls.uk/dcn6/8573/85730416.6.pdf Streets, Lanes, Entries, &c.] – Leslie's directory for Perth and Kinross (1911), p. 12[https://www.google.com/maps/place/The+Cutting+Room/@56.3945676,-3.4289178,3a,75y,11.37h,85.5t/data=!3m8!1e1!3m6!1sAF1QipNdcDoBOWEfrhZHQw0je6-NJTcjATfLgpxx29_6!2e10!3e11!6shttps:%2F%2Flh5.googleusercontent.com%2Fp%2FAF1QipNdcDoBOWEfrhZHQw0je6-NJTcjATfLgpxx29_6%3Dw224-h298-k-no-pi-0-ya99.362434-ro-0-fo100!7i9000!8i4500!4m7!3m6!1s0x48863b1110170bab:0x9db5295cf04a099c!8m2!3d56.3947236!4d-3.4286303!14m1!1BCgIgARICCAI Cow Vennel] – Google Street View, October 2015 (Mill Street to High Street) (Canal Street to South Street) – so named because it is where people would drive their cattle onto the South Inch for grazing[https://www.culturepk.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Medieval_Walk.pdf Medieval Walk] – Perth & Kinross Museums & Galleries
- Cutlog Vennel[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Perth+%26+Kinross+Foodbank/@56.3971273,-3.4335728,364m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x48863b3e2d5e5c8d:0x4805d8e47cc6666f!8m2!3d56.3971273!4d-3.4320483 Cutlog Vennel] – Google Maps (Mill Street to 189 High Street)
- Fleshers' (or Flesh) Vennel[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Fleshers'+Vennel,+Perth,+UK/@56.395756,-3.4308768,364m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x48863b1172205cad:0x3a267eb472c7c983!8m2!3d56.3956409!4d-3.4287614 Fleshers' Vennel] – Google Maps (formerly Barbers Vennel) (St John's Place to 49 South Street; bounds St John's Kirk to the west)
- Guard Vennel[https://digital.nls.uk/dcn6/8573/85730416.6.pdf Leslie's directory for Perth and Kinross (1911), p. 13] (Mill Street to 105 High Street)
- Horners Lane[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Horners+Ln,+Perth,+UK/@56.3943106,-3.4330505,523m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x48863b1130fb7e7f:0x87023757be29ec78!8m2!3d56.3943106!4d-3.4308618 Horners Lane] – Google Maps (South Street to Canal Street)
- Meal Vennel[https://abertay.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Highland_Communities.pdf "Highland Communities in Dundee and Perth 1787-1891"] – Abertay University, p. 48Official Guide to Perth and Its Neighbourhood by the Tramway Car Routes – Perth Town Council (1907), p. 8 (South Street to 164 High Street). Described in 1907 as "an old thoroughfare, presently the resort of curio dealers, and the happy hunting-ground of collectors".Official Guide to Perth and Its Neighbourhood by the Tramway Car Routes – Perth Town Council (1907), p. 10 Several labourers lived on the street in 1911.[https://digital.nls.uk/dcn6/8573/85730416.6.pdf Leslie's directory for Perth and Kinross (1911)] It was also the home of the Central District School
- Oliphants Vennel[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Oliphants+Vennel/@56.3958345,-3.4274764,3a,60y,90.05h,96t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s8hp0MB5It5dBBftACK1p8A!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!4m7!3m6!1s0x48863ba1d2df6d0b:0xa4b7b21daa753f07!8m2!3d56.3958864!4d-3.4272132!14m1!1BCgIgARICCAI Oliphants Vennel] – Google Street View, June 2014[https://digital.nls.uk/dcn6/8573/85730416.6.pdf Leslie's directory for Perth and Kinross (1911), p. 14] (44 St John Street to Watergate)
- Ritten Row – one of the Kirk vennels
- Ropemakers Close (South Street to Canal Street)
- Salt Vennel – one of the Kirk vennels
- St Ann’s Lane (formerly School Vennel) {{Cite book |last=Peacock |first=David |title=Perth: Its Annals and Its Archives |publisher=Thomas Richardson |year=1849 |pages=490}} (South Street to St John’s Place). From 1560, St Ann’s Lane (or School Vennel as it was known then) lead to the Perth Grammar School. The school was demolished in 1652 by Cromwell and rebuilt in 1773. It then transferred to Perth Academy on Rose Terrace in 1807. The buildings were converted into a theatre in 1810 but burned down in 1823. St Ann's Chapel was situated between the Grammar School and St John’s Kirk.{{Cite web |title=Perth Grammar School – Perth Civic Trust |url=http://www.perthcivictrust.org.uk/staging/?tag=perth-grammar-school |access-date=2024-01-06 |language=en}}
- Water Vennel (formerly South Boat Vennel) [https://www.google.com/maps/place/Water+Vennel,+Perth,+UK/@56.3952091,-3.4284387,523m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x48863b11be161727:0x7d6570df5eff39e6!8m2!3d56.3952091!4d-3.42625 Water Vennel] – Google Maps[https://digital.nls.uk/dcn6/8573/85730416.6.pdf Leslie's directory for Perth and Kinross (1911), p. 15] (Tay Street to 83 Watergate)
- Weaver Vennel (from and to South Street)
- North Boat Vennel{{Cite web |last=madeinpe |date=2014-02-24 |title=A Short History of the Watergate |url=https://madeinperth.org/a-short-history-of-the-watergate/ |access-date=2024-01-06 |website=Made in Perth ~ Official Website ~ SC044155 |language=en-US}} (53 Watergate to Tay Street). Prior to the construction of Tay Street and Perth Bridge the Vennel was used as access to the river for boats to come and go from, typically ferries.
References
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Bibliography
- Perth: Street by Street: A Geographical and Historical Tour Around Perth's 600-plus Streets, Roads, and Vennels, Paul Philippou {{isbn|0956337422}}
External links
- [https://www.culturepk.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Medieval_Walk.pdf Medieval Walk] – Perth & Kinross Museums & Galleries
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Category:Buildings and structures in Perth, Scotland
Category:Streets in Perth, Scotland