Tour Scotland photograph of a painting of Medieval Perth, Perthshire, Scotland. The name Perth derives from a Pictish word for wood or copse, and links the town to the Picts described by the Romans, who subsequently joined with the Scots to form the kingdom of Alba which later became known as Scotland. During much of the medieval period the town was known colloquially as " St. John's Toun " or " Saint Johnstoun " because the church at the centre of the parish was dedicated to St. John the Baptist. Perth's Pictish name, and some archaeological evidence, indicate that there must have been a settlement here from earlier times, probably at a point where a river crossing or crossings coincided with a slightly raised natural mound on the west bank of the River Tay, thus giving some protection for settlement from the frequent flooding. The presence of Scone two miles north east, a royal centre of Alba from at least the reign of Kenneth I mac Ailpín, later the site of the major Augustinian abbey of the same name founded by King Alexander I, will have enhanced Perth's early importance. It was for long the effective ' capital ' of Scotland, due to the frequent residence of the royal court. It was at Scone Abbey that the Stone of Destiny was kept, and on it the Kings of Scots were crowned down to king Alexander III.
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