The vennels of Perth are a collection of small medieval streets in the city of Perth, Scotland.[1] Similar to York's Snickelways, vennels are a public right-of-way passageway between the gables of buildings which can, in effect, be a minor street. In Scotland, the term originated in royal burghs created in the twelfth century, the word deriving from the Old French word venelle meaning "alley" or "lane". Unlike a tenement entry to private property, known as a "close", a vennel was a public way leading from a typical high street to the open ground beyond the burgage plots.[2] The Latin form is venella, related to the English word "funnel".
Perth developed from an initial plan of two parallel streets — High Street and South Street — linked by several vennels leading north and south. The names of these vennels have historic origins, and many — such as Cow Vennel and Fleshers Vennel — reflect the trades associated with their foundation. South Street was originally terminated at its eastern end by Gowrie House (the site of today's Perth Sheriff Court). Upon its demolition in the early 19th century, direct access was granted to the river.[3]
In 2018, Perth architect Fergus Purdie put forward a design to revamp a space off of Guard Vennel. If it were to be accepted, it would become a temporary events space.[4] The plan was approved, on a city-wide scale, in March 2019.[5]
List of Perth's vennels
Meal Vennel in the 1950s, now the site of St John's Square[6]Cutlog Vennel
Cow Vennel[7][10][11] (Mill Street to High Street) (Canal Street to South Street) – so named because it is where people would drive their cattle onto the South Inch for grazing[12]
Cutlog Vennel[13][10] (Mill Street to 189 High Street)
Fleshers' (or Flesh) Vennel[10][7][14] (formerly Barbers Vennel) (St John's Place to 49 South Street; bounds St John's Kirk to the west)
Meal Vennel[17][18][15] (South Street to 164 High Street). Described in 1907 as "an old thoroughfare, presently the resort of curio dealers, and the happy hunting-ground of collectors".[19] Several labourers lived on the street in 1911.[20] It was also the home of the Central District School
Oliphants Vennel[21][22] (44 St John Street to Watergate)
St Ann’s Lane (formerly School Vennel) [23] (South Street to St John’s Place). From 1560 St Ann’s Lane or School Vennel as it was known then lead to the Perth Grammar School. The school was demolished in 1652 by Cromwell and rebuilt in 1773. It then transferred to Perth Academy on Rose Terrace in 1807. The buildings were converted into a theatre in 1810 but burned down in 1823. St Ann’s chapel was situated between the Grammar School and St John’s Kirk.[24]
Water Vennel (formerly South Boat Vennel) [25][26] (Tay Street to 83 Watergate)
North Boat Vennel [27] (53 Watergate to Tay Street). Prior to the construction of Tay Street and Perth Bridge the Vennel was used as access to the river for boats to come and go from, typically ferries.
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