Perth’s Leaning Chimney Becomes City’s Most Visited Attraction Before Being Made Safe
Scott Street car park cordon draws crowds; Pisa 'not worried, yet'.
South Methven Street area of Perth, where at least one chimney has been taking it easy. Photo: habiloid, “The junction of High Street and South Methven Street, Perth - geograph.org.uk - 8183955”, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
PERTH — A chimney stack on South Methven Street, reported to be leaning on Wednesday, prompted the closure of Scott Street car park while fire crews carried out safety checks, and the city responded in the only way it knows: by standing a safe distance away and staring at it.
“It’s like Pisa,” said a shopper from behind the cordon. “If Pisa was above a Greggs.”
Nobody was hurt and the exclusion zone was managed by emergency services, whom Perthetic thanks for doing the actual work. Tourism bosses have reportedly asked whether the chimney could “lean just a bit, permanently, but safely.” They were told no.
Letters to the Editor
The views expressed are those of the reader, and frankly that's on them.
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Walked past it twice. It definitely leans a bit to the left. Like my uncle after a wedding.
— Ruth B., Perth, 22 October 2026 -
Big respect to the fire crews though, honestly.
— Calum D., Stanley, 22 October 2026 -
@Calum aye, absolutely. Heroes. The chimney less so.
— Ruth B., Perth, 22 October 2026
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