Archaeologists believes they have found fragments of masonry from a medieval monastery in Perth
Surviving parts of a monastery set up by King James I of Scotland almost 470 years ago may have been found in an old drain.
The Charterhouse was established in Perth for monks of the Carthusian Order, external, and at the heart of the complex was a lavishly decorated church.
The monastery was later demolished and over the centuries the medieval site disappeared under a hospital and houses.
During an excavation last month, archaeologists and volunteers uncovered an 18th Century culvert that appeared to have been partly made using stone from the torn down monastery.
More stories from Tayside and Central
Listen to news from Tayside and Central on BBC Sounds
The culvert once drained waste water from King James VI Hospital, which was built around 1749-1750 and was converted into flats in the 1970s.
The drain was discovered during the dig in a grassy open space at the former hospital.
Covering the top of the drain were flat stones, which are believed to be medieval masonry.
Archaeologist Dr Gavin Lindsay told BBC Scotland News: "You can see clear chisel marks from when they had been worked very carefully to create these beautiful smooth sides.
"They are clearly far more elaborate, and far more effort had gone into their production, than you would do for a drain in the 1700s."
The selection of masonry also include stone floor slabs.
Dr Lindsay said a stone mason who visited the dig suggested the slabs' smooth surfaces were the result of people walking on them over many years.
"Possibly by many monks' feet, and to push it a bit further, maybe King James's feet had been across it," said the archaeologist.
Specialists will examine the masonry to determine how old they are
Dr Lucy Dean, of the University of Highlands and Islands Centre for History, is also involved in the Perth Charterhouse Project.
She said: "The volunteers that we had did a lot of sifting through the soil that we were taking out.
"They were finding, alongside quite a lot of 19th and 20th Century pieces of pottery and glass, a number of pieces that are probably medieval."
The stones from the drain along with fragments of pottery will be examined further by specialists.
The drain, which is lined with handmade 18th Century bricks, after the top slabs had been removed
The archaeologists said the next stages of the project included studies of archives to find out more about the monastery, and going back to the local community to let them know what has been found so far.
Further digs could take place in the future.
Residents of Perth have also been asked to look out for more masonry that had survived and been reused.
Dr Lindsay said: "We have identified a number of different fragments that have been incorporated into the retaining wall of Perth Station, for example, and into boundary walls of gardens."
The University of Stirling and Perthshire Society of Natural Science have been involved in the project, while funding for the dig was provided by the trustees of the King James VI Hospital and The Guildry Incorporation of Perth.
Perth Charterhouse Project
Falkirk roads have reaped the benefits of investment funding over the past year
Road closed in Forfar after car crashes into lamp-post
Falkirk pupils inspired to think of career in cyber at Scottish conference
One-man crimewave jailed following funeral rampage in Perth
Angus butcher has the best black pudding in the North East
Police appeal for witnesses after Angus incidents
Watch our pick of standout clips from across the BBC
Houthis warn airlines and passengers not to use Saudi Arabian airports after deadly Riyadh attack
Riyadh airport attack another dangerous moment in already tense conflict
Buildings swept away as flash floods hit central Nepal
Why are so many four-year-olds not potty-trained before school?
Three friends on their student debt: One paid off, one chipping away and one creeping up
How a stolen 1957 wedding album found its way home
I was told I had depression for 14 years until I got sectioned – it was bipolar
'It shows you there is hope': Football coach on anorexia recovery journey
Ashe was too scared to cancel her wedding – the story became a hit song
Inside the room: What it was like to be with Blackpink's Lisa as race scandal erupted
What happens when you grow up not knowing your family medical history?
US Politics Unspun: Cut through the noise with Anthony Zurcher's newsletter
Brad Pitt stars as a tank commander on a dangerous mission in WWII
How rats were trained to clear landmines
First look: The hotly-anticipated second series is coming soon
How does The Odyssey unfold?
Wildlife park remains closed after tiger attack
Pope Leo to have surgery after lump found on lung
UK does not support Trump's Russia diesel deal, says Streeting
Three friends on their student debt: One paid off, one chipping away and one creeping up
Riyadh airport attack another dangerous moment in already tense conflict
Northern Lights dazzles skies across the UK
Inside the room: What it was like to be with Blackpink's Lisa as race scandal erupted
Man, 36, arrested six years on from double murder
Why are so many four-year-olds not potty-trained before school?
Man dies after tiger attack at wildlife park
Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.
About the Author
