The Fair Maid's House

What stories can be told through the lens of a magic lantern? – get a glimpse into the past through portraits, as the Fair Maid’s House in Perth reopened this week with a fascinating new exhibition of historic glass slide images.

Collated from the archive of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society (RSGS), the exhibition showcases historic portraits taken across the world, telling a patchwork story of adventure, intrigue and everyday life.

“We are very excited to unveil this new exhibition,” commented RSGS Chief Executive Mike Robinson. “These photographic glass slides, many of which are over 100 years old, give a delightful snapshot of past lives.

“In the spirit of geography, the images on display feature historical portraits from countries across the world, capturing everything from iconic locations to famous expeditions, cultural traditions, and everyday life. RSGS has thousands of glass slide images in its archive, and this exhibition is a brilliant opportunity to showcase some of the most striking and rarely seen images from the collection.

“Over the past 140 years, many of our slides have been donated to the Society from unknown sources, adding a layer of mystery to many of the images. We invite our visitors to explore the exhibition and see if they can spot anything that might help uncover the story behind these images.”

The Fair Maid’s House is the headquarters of RSGS and the oldest secular building in Perth. Made famous by Sir Walter Scott’s popular novel The Fair Maid of Perth, the house is now home to the Society’s collections and features displays on geographical issues, explorers, and the history of the Society. It also houses the Society’s vast historical collections of maps, diaries, books, photos, and artefacts, all gathered from scientific exploration over the past 150 years.

Visitors will be able to watch the planet from space, see the continents evolve, and learn about the hottest and coldest places on Earth. They can explore the rich history of Perth and the Fair Maid’s House and discover the very best of geography and exploration as they investigate the amazing collection of artefacts and books in the Explorers’ Room.

The Fair Maid’s House is located at 15-19 North Port, just behind Perth Concert Hall. After 10th April 2025, the visitor centre will be open every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 12:30 pm to 4:00 pm until late October 2025, with entry by donation.