Perth's The Black Watch Museum toasts ten years with visitor numbers topping 900,000 since opening

Perth’s exciting visitor attraction The Black Watch Castle and Museum is celebrating its 10th anniversary.

Since 2013 more than 930,000 people have come through the gates to learn about war history in the setting of Balhousie Castle.

The project cost £3.5 million and has put Perth on the map for all supporters of the famous red hackle.

Home to The Black Watch Museum, Castle Bistro and gift shop, the organisation has gone from strength in the past decade and has become a well-known destination with locals and visitors alike.

To celebrate this momentous occasion, between June 10 and Monday 19, the Castle team have just been hosting 10 events over 10 days.

On Friday, June 16, the museum held an in-gallery object handling event celebrating 10 interesting objects that have been donated to collection over the past decade.

The Black Watch Castle and Museum, Hay Street, Perth is on many people's list of top places to visit (Perthshire Advertiser)

Other events have included a 10-course tasting menu created by head chef Michael Wells, afternoon tea with local musician Michael Ellacott, an animal explorer day and a family fun day featuring Corporal Cruachan IV, the regimental pony mascot.

At the Black Watch Museum's family fun day on Sunday, June 18, visitors enjoyed meeting Cruachan (left) and his pal Nightcap. Cpl Cruachan IV is the official pony mascot for The Royal Regiment of Scotland and Napcap (Black Watch Museum)

Volunteer re-enactor 'Private McNiven' tells a young visitor about life in the trenches during WWI (Black Watch Museum)

Volunteer guide, Jim Patterson, with a lucky penny and helmet belonging to Lance Corporal Smith Cameron. In 1917 a bullet struck the helmet and the penny, worn underneath as a good luck charm, saving the soldier's life (Perthshire Advertiser)

Reflecting on the success of the past decade, Anne Kinnes, CEO, The Black Watch Castle and Museum said: “It’s hard to believe that it has been 10 years since the major redevelopment of Balhousie Castle.

“During the past decade, we have gone from strength to strength welcoming over 930,000 visitors through our doors.”

In 2013 the venue closed for a major £3.5 million redevelopment which saw the renovation and extension of Balhousie Castle.

Ten years on, the venue has received 5-star accreditation from VisitScotland, won numerous industry awards, and hosted exhibitions of national significance such as the iconic Poppies: Weeping Window.

This summer from July 1, the historic castle in Hay Street welcomes The Hauntings, a six-metre tall scrap metal soldier which will be on display in the grounds and free for visitors to view.

David Noble, chairman of the trustees, commented: “June 2013 was an exciting time as we re-opened the doors of The Black Watch Castle and Museum, following several years of planning, fundraising, and the subsequent 18 months of building work.

“That the organisation so quickly achieved and has since maintained, 5-star accreditation is due to the team’s enduring enthusiasm and commitment to offering each visitor an outstanding and memorable experience.”