Perth College UHI


(Perth College of Further Education)

Located on a modest campus on Crieff Road, 1¼ miles (2 km) west northwest of the town centre, Perth College UHI is a higher education institution which was established in 1961 to offer courses in building trades.

Originally known as Perth College of Further Education, it is now part of the developing University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) and runs a wide range of degrees, work-based learning and vocational training courses in subjects including business and management, child care, computing, construction, hairdressing, health and beauty, hospitality, tourism and leisure, motor vehicle engineering, mountain studies, music and sound engineering. It boasts Scotland's first popular music course and there is also an English language training school. Since 1996, the College has been responsible for Air Service Training (AST), which is based at Perth Airport and has been delivering aeronautical engineering courses since 1934.

The College began in the old Perth Academy building on Rose Terrace before expanding into new premises in Nelson Street. It now comprises two principal buildings on the site of the former mansion of industrialist Sir Robert Pullar (1828 - 1912). The purpose-built red-brick Brahan Building cost £1.25 million and was opened on 16th October 1971 by Gordon Campbell (1921 - 2005), then Secretary of State for Scotland. This building includes a modern library and study centre. Adjacent is the Goodlyburn Building, which was built as the Goodlyburn Junior Secondary School in 1957.

In 1971, the College had 24 full-time lecturers teaching 700 students. By 2009, it employed 500 staff and had more than 7000 students undertaking full and part-time courses on campus and at learning centres in Blairgowrie, Crieff, Kinross and Pitlochry, and by distance learning.

Four accommodation blocks were built on the Crieff Road campus in 2010 at a cost of £3.5 million. These provide self-catering accommodation for 72 students. The residences are managed through an innovative agreement with the Scottish Youth Hostels Association (SYHA).

Once run by the local authority, the College is now self-governing with a Board of Management including the Principal, staff and student representatives, together with members of the local community.


Use the tabs on the right of this page to see other parts of this entry arrow

If you have found this information useful please consider making
a donation to help maintain and improve this resource. More info...

By using our site you agree to accept cookies, which help us serve you better