Gordon Bannerman

Former Perthshire and Blairgowrie cricketer Charlie MacPherson has died at 89 after a short illness. He was widely regarded as Scotland’s best uncapped player, excelling as a medium-pace bowler, batsman and slip fielder, and helping Blairgowrie secure a landmark Strathmore Union victory. Former teammates and cousin T.I. McPherson praised his performances and questioned why he was never selected for Scotland. Outside cricket, MacPherson worked for the Perthshire Advertiser, supported animal welfare and conservation causes, and pursued gardening, birdwatching and wildlife painting.

PLUS Perth is transforming derelict Ropemakers Close in Perth into a nature garden after the area became associated with alcohol and drug use. With support from Perth and Kinross Council, Kilmac and Inspiring Scotland, the charity has cleared the site, installed fencing and a gate, and plans to begin planting in the coming weeks. The project forms part of a wider effort to improve the historic link between South Street and Canal Street, complement an existing community garden, and enhance access to nearby Perth Museum and the Stone of Destiny.

Perthshire housebuilder and former St Johnstone FC owner Geoff Brown has urged Perth and Kinross Council to buy long-vacant flats, using compulsory purchase powers where necessary, to expand affordable housing and bring more residents back to Perth city centre. He estimates that nearly 1,000 properties are empty within the city, including about 200 flats, and argues that city-centre residents would support local shops, bars and restaurants while reducing car dependence. Brown proposes a public-private partnership to stretch council funding. The council says its existing buy-back scheme exceeded its 2023–24 target, purchasing 49 properties, but stresses that compulsory purchase orders require Scottish ministers’ approval and can be used only when no alternative exists.

Blairgowrie Golf Club brothers Connor and Gregor Graham have secured season-long sponsorship from Clayton Caravan Park in St Andrews, with owner Andrew Kennedy supporting their ambitions to reach the professional ranks. The Scottish internationalists are competing at the Men’s European Nations Championship in Sotogrande, Spain, after highly successful 2023 seasons. Connor finished as Europe’s top under-18 golfer, represented Europe in the Junior Ryder Cup and Great Britain and Ireland in the Walker Cup, and won several major junior and amateur titles. Gregor represented Scotland, helped win the European Team Division Two Championship, became the youngest amateur winner of a Tartan Pro Tour event and won the South African Amateur Championship. Former Open champion Paul Lawrie is also assisting their development.

The Thomson Charitable Trust has passed the £2 million mark in total grants after awarding £9,000 to the Perth Festival of the Arts. Established in 1973 by David Thomson and Michael Thomson, the family trust has supported hundreds of charities, local organizations and individuals across Perth and Kinross, including the festival, which has received £153,000 since 1987. The milestone also highlights the Thomson family’s long-standing civic and business legacy in Perth, including the growth and eventual sale of Peter Thomson (Perth) Ltd, a major Scottish whisky and spirits distributor.

Tayside and Strathearn Help for Ukraine has bought a former NHS Tayside mobile dental surgery for £8,000 and plans to drive it more than 1,200 miles from Perthshire to the Polish-Ukrainian border. The unit will provide dental treatment for Ukrainian soldiers and civilians, with equipment and servicing donated by dental businesses and Perth Auto Centre. Coordinators Kenny Simpson and Lindsay Brown are seeking funds for the £700 ferry fare and fuel. The charity has already sent more than 50 lorry loads of aid, valued at about £2 million, and says demand remains high as the war continues.

Moncreiffe Care Home in Bridge of Earn, Perthshire, is set to close after nearly 40 years because its operation has become financially unsustainable. Owner John Bryden cited the effects of COVID-19, staff shortages, the departure of an experienced manager, rising maintenance costs and anticipated energy bills. The closure affects 23 residents and 37 staff, with Perth and Kinross Council and the Care Inspectorate helping identify alternative accommodation for residents and new employment opportunities for staff.

Perth nightclub owner John Bryden says applications for December Nightclub Closure Fund support for Loft Nightclub and The Ice Factory were rejected because the venues were deemed to be hybrid businesses that could trade as bars. Bryden argues that both venues are established nightclubs, operate late-night weekend hours, charge a nightclub-specific entry fee and followed COVID closure guidance, including remaining shut over Hogmanay while maintaining staff payments. He plans to appeal with support from the Night Time Industries Association and Scottish Chambers of Commerce. The Scottish Government says the fund was limited to businesses trading solely as nightclubs, while affected hybrid businesses may qualify for other hospitality support, and confirms that a review process is available.

Strathallan School kitchen staff delivered scones, cakes and other afternoon-tea treats to Moncreiffe Care Home in Bridge of Earn ahead of Christmas. Fifteen-year-old pupil Rebecca Johnstone said the school wanted to support residents and staff, while chef Aaron Watt and manager Judith Meaden welcomed the gesture. The care home faced ongoing COVID-19 restrictions affecting visits, family gatherings and traditional celebrations, but planned a Christmas party and other surprises for its 26 residents.

A lunchtime organ recital by Andrew Forbes at Perth’s historic St John’s Kirk raised £1,850, including Gift Aid, for Christian Aid. Around 150 people attended the free concert, which featured 20th-century music selected to showcase the kirk’s 1928 organ. The event had been postponed because of pandemic restrictions, and the church plans to continue its monthly concert series.

The 2021 Perth Silent Auction raised more than £17,000 for local charities after returning from a pandemic-related pause. Organized by the Rotary Club of Perth in partnership with the Perthshire Advertiser, the event attracted donations from businesses and support from the local public despite ongoing economic pressures. The Cornhill Macmillan Centre at Perth Royal Infirmary has benefited from every auction since its launch in 2007, with cumulative fundraising now approaching £400,000.

St Johnstone manager Callum Davidson said the club had prepared 40 cars for players and staff to travel independently to Rangers if COVID-19 rules had not changed. The plan followed incorrect guidance relayed to football authorities about team-bus travel. Davidson stressed the need to prevent infections and player absences, while noting that St Johnstone already used red zones and distancing measures. He also hoped supporters would be able to attend festive fixtures despite concerns that the Omicron variant could lead to renewed restrictions or closed-door matches.

Perthshire businesses are supporting the 2021 Perth Silent Auction, organized by the Rotary Club of Perth with backing from the Perthshire Advertiser. Proceeds will benefit the Cornhill Macmillan Centre at Perth Royal Infirmary and smaller local charities affected by COVID-19. Donations include race-day and golf packages, and the auction has raised more than £380,000 for charities over its history.

Derek McInnes believes St Johnstone have the experience and confidence to cause an upset against Celtic in the Premier Sports Cup semi-final at Hampden. He points to the club’s League Cup and Scottish Cup triumphs under Callum Davidson, including their win over Rangers, as evidence that the team is equipped for major occasions. McInnes says St Johnstone’s familiarity with the pressure and atmosphere of Hampden means Celtic should expect a tough contest.

St Johnstone goalkeeper Zander Clark says the club embraces its underdog status ahead of the Europa League qualifying return leg against Galatasaray. St Johnstone earned a 1-1 draw in Istanbul and now hope a sold-out McDiarmid Park can help them complete the upset and reach a play-off against Randers. Clark believes Galatasaray’s frustration and vulnerability were evident in the first leg, while acknowledging the need to withstand their expected fast start and capitalize more effectively on attacking opportunities.

The Scottish Curling Championships will move from Perth's Dewars Centre to Dumfries in 2021, creating a sporting and economic setback for Perth. Olympic medallist and eight-time Scottish champion Eve Muirhead criticized the decision, arguing that Perth offers the country's best facilities and preparation conditions and warning that the switch could harm Scotland's World Championship and 2022 Winter Olympic prospects. Former coach David Hay also called the decision shocking and illogical.

St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright says Rangers cannot afford further domestic slip-ups as they attempt to close Celtic’s 10-point league advantage. Although Rangers face St Johnstone between Europa League matches against Braga, Wright does not believe the fixture schedule will necessarily benefit his side and thinks Rangers have enough squad depth to cope. St Johnstone enter the match in strong form, aiming to preserve their gap from the relegation places and push toward the top six, with Liam Craig nearing a return and loan signing Matt Butcher impressing on his first start in three years.

Bristol Rovers manager Ben Garner is monitoring St Johnstone winger Drey Wright, whose contract expires in the summer. Wright has regained form after missing a year following cruciate ligament surgery, making him an attractive target for the League One club. St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright wants to extend his stay, particularly after Matty Kennedy joined Aberdeen, but contract talks have been put on hold.

St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright strongly criticized the club's transfer strategy, saying football decisions and signing authority had been taken away from him. With only Jamie McCart arriving on a summer pre-contract, Ross Callachan departing for Dundee, Matty Kennedy moving to Aberdeen and Murray Davidson injured, Wright said the squad was shrinking and warned that he would not accept responsibility for the January window. He urged the club to act during the final week while insisting he would continue fighting for reinforcements.

St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright expects to keep winger Matty Kennedy until the end of the season despite Aberdeen making two bids for him. Kennedy has already signed a pre-contract agreement with Aberdeen, but St Johnstone has rejected the offers and maintains that he remains their player. Wright said Kennedy missed the Scottish Cup match against Morton because of an ankle injury, not because of Aberdeen's interest, and noted that the player has not asked to leave during the January transfer window.

St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright says he will not quit despite mounting pressure after nine Premiership matches without a win left the club bottom of the table. Following a 2-0 defeat by St Mirren, Wright acknowledges that his previous success may only buy him limited time and that he is not untouchable. He attributes the poor run to missed chances, conceding early goals and a lack of experience in a young defense, and says the team must restore its clean-sheet record and show greater leadership before matches against Hamilton and Hearts.

St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright rejected singer Amy Macdonald’s account of the circumstances behind her husband Richard Foster’s departure from the club. Macdonald had claimed that Wright dismissed Foster after a training-ground disagreement and verbally abused him, while Wright said her comments on Radio Scotland were petty and far from the truth. He argued that Foster had a history of disciplinary issues with managers, said the player’s move to Ross County was appropriate for both sides, and maintained that the dispute had been settled.

St Johnstone have banished vice-captain Richard Foster following a furious training-ground confrontation with manager Tommy Wright. Foster was left out of the squad against Hibs while the club’s disciplinary process continued, putting his three-year spell in Perth and contract through the following summer in doubt. The incident follows a 2017 on-pitch altercation with teammate Danny Swanson, for which both players were fined and sent off, and Foster could leave before the transfer window closes.

Thirteen-year-old Perth karting racer Chloe Grant met her hero Lewis Hamilton during a visit to the British Grand Prix at Silverstone. As a Racing Role Model for Susie Wolff’s Dare to be Different charity, she helped girls take part in a Pirelli Pit Stop Challenge before touring the Mercedes Formula One factory. Hamilton discussed kart racing and shared encouragement with Chloe, who was preparing to compete in the Scottish Championships in Golspie.