Perthshire Society of Natural Science

Perthshire Society of Natural Science

Abbreviation	PSNS
Founded	1867 (157 years ago) (1867)
Type	Scottish Charity
Registration no.	SC012718
Headquarters	A. K. Bell Library
Location	Perth, Scotland, United Kingdom
Area served	Perth and Kinross
President	David Bowler
Website	www.psns.org.uk

Perthshire Society of Natural Science (PSNS) is one of the oldest scientific societies in Scotland, having been established in 1867.^[1] Under its parent body, it has four sections covering botany, ornithology, archaeology and history and photography.^[1]

Now based at the A. K. Bell Library in Perth, Scotland, the society was founded by a group of males, but by the end of the 19th century, around a quarter of its members were female.^[1]

Whereas specimens were physically collected by the society's members during its early years, now digital photography is used, along with digital data, to create records.^[1]

In 1935, the society donated paintings and natural-history collections to Perth Museum and Art Gallery to display in its new extension, which was opened by the Duke and Duchess of York,^[2] the future King George VI and Queen Elizabeth.

The society undertook an excavation at Pitmiddle village (whose history dates to the 12th century) and Elcho Nunnery, and published its report in 1988.^[3]

The society's longest-serving member is Rhoda Fothergill, who died in 2019. She joined in 1965, and was its secretary when she retired 47 years later. Many of her papers, such as A History of King James VI Hospital, were published in the journals of the PSNS.^[4] Other notable past members include Charles Macintosh, who was known as "the Perth Naturalist".^[5]

The society published The Flora of Perthshire, by Francis Buchanan White,^[6] in 1898, using records provided by members, including Macintosh.^[7] White identified thirteen species of fungi previously unknown in the British Isles, four of them new to science. He shared this interest with Beatrix Potter, who had often visited the area since she was a child,^[8] and they exchanged specimens and drawings.^[9] He left his collection of specimens, together with some botanical illustrations by Beatrix Potter, to Perth Museum.^[10]

Architect John Young was one of the society's early members. His son, George, also joined the society.^[11]

Sir Thomas Moncreiffe, 7th Baronet, was a president of the society. The building's museum, formerly at 62–72 Tay Street in Perth, was built in his memory in 1881, two years after his death.^[12]

Another former president was W. H. Findlay, a noted photographer. Around a quarter of his lifetime collection of 25,000 photographs are now housed in A. K. Bell Library,^[13] with the rest in the society's possession.^[14] Fellow photographer Magnus Jackson became a member in 1877.^[15]

As of 2024, the society's president is David Bowler.^[16] He was preceded in the role by Nancy Boyd.^[3]