The Fergusson Gallery, Perth, UK, Bezoekersgids & wat te doen in de buurt

The Fergusson Gallery is a small art museum in Perth, Scotland, devoted to the work of J.D. Fergusson, one of the Scottish Colourists. It sits in a round, domed building beside the River Tay that began life as the city's waterworks, which makes the building as interesting as the paintings inside.

The story behind it

The building on Tay Street dates from the early 1830s, when it was put up to supply Perth with water. Its circular plan and dome give it the look of a classical temple rather than a utility building, and it is among the more unusual pieces of architecture along the riverfront. After its working life ended, it was converted into a gallery and opened to the public in the early 1990s.

The collection centres on John Duncan Fergusson, born in Leith in 1874, who became a leading figure among the Scottish Colourists. He spent formative years in France, absorbed the bold colour of modern French painting, and kept working into the 1960s. His partner, the dancer and choreographer Margaret Morris, shaped his life and art, and her influence runs through the works kept here, from sketches to paintings and sculpture.

What to look for

• The curved, domed exterior itself, which looks more like a classical rotunda than an old waterworks.
• The bright, confident colour in Fergusson's paintings, a clear sign of his years among the artists of Paris.
• Subjects connected to movement and dance, reflecting his long partnership with Margaret Morris.
• The setting beside the Tay, where the gallery's rounded form stands out against the line of Tay Street.

Tips for your visit

• Allow about 30 to 60 minutes inside, as the gallery is compact and easy to see in one short visit.
• Check current opening hours and any exhibition changes before you go, as displays and times can vary.
• Combine it with a walk along the river, as the Tay path and the centre of Perth are close by.
• Pair it with a stop at the nearby Perth Museum or the city's other galleries if you want a fuller day of culture.

Explore it on a quest

A good way to see the gallery in its setting is to walk the streets around it on foot with a puzzle in hand. Discover the area on one of Questo's self-guided quests in Perth, UK, where the app leads you from place to place, tells you about each stop and sets a puzzle in what is in front of you.