Perth 800 celebrations unveiled

More than 100 events will be staged as part of the Perth 800 celebrations

Perth is set to mark 800 years since it was made a Royal Burgh with a year-long series of music, art, cultural and sporting events.

And the programme has now been unveiled for the Perth 800 celebrations in 2010.

It includes Scotland's first geocaching mega-event, which will see people from all over the world go on a hi-tech treasure hunt using GPS devices.

There will also be a film festival, a mass canoe event down the River Tay and museum and photography exhibitions.

More than 100 events will be staged as part of Perth 800.

We are on track to presenting Perth as a must visit, must return destination Peter Lederer VisitScotland

Lightnight Perth will be a cultural and heritage festival, which will include a dramatised light trail, outdoor concerts and exhibitions celebrating the past, present and future of Perthshire.

An international mountain conference will take place, the Scottish Orienteering Championships will be held and locals schools, businesses and community groups will also be holding their own events.

It is hoped the festival will enhance the area's international profile and help in the campaign to have formal city status restored to Perth.

Provost John Hulbert said: "This is an important and historic anniversary for people here and throughout Scotland and we want to welcome visitors from home and overseas, especially our twin towns and the other Perths around the world, to come and celebrate it with us."

'Fantastic opportunity'

North Tayside MSP John Swinney added: "Tourism continues to be a vital industry in Scotland and contributes a great deal to the economy.

"This is particularly the case in Perthshire, where the fantastic city of Perth and the surrounding countryside has much to offer visitors and locals alike.

"The year-long celebration of the 800th anniversary of Perth being granted a Royal Burgh Charter is a fantastic opportunity to showcase Perth's history, culture, sporting and natural attractions."

Peter Lederer, chairman of VisitScotland, said: "Perth 800 presents a fantastic opportunity for local businesses, enterprises and national agencies to come together and sell Perthshire to the world by attracting more visitors and therefore more income to the local economy.

"We are on track to presenting Perth as a must visit, must return destination through 2010 and beyond."

Perth was granted its Burgh Charter in 1210 by King William the Lion of Scotland.