Bells ring out for first-ever festival

May 5 2009 by Alison Anderson, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

“Saint Johnstoun’s bells ring bonnie

And awaken echo’s many”

THE famous carillon bells of St John’s Kirk have been a wonderful feature of Perth City centre for many centuries – the earliest detailed survey of the bells is in the Burgh records of 1652, while the oldest bell in the tower is known to date from around 1340.

And later this month they will ring out over Perth during the Perth Festival for the first ever Carillon Festival in Scotland.

Local carilloneur Ian Cassells will be joined by other players of international repute for this festival first.

From high in the Kirk’s tower, these exponents of the art of bell music will give hour-long recitals – from 2-3pm – over six consecutive days from Monday, May 25, to Saturday, May 30.

Ian’s predecessor at Perth City’s carilloneur, John R Knox, now based in London, is one of the experts playing a programme of their own choice on this historic instrument which is unique to Scotland.