In 1651, during the English civil war, Oliver Cromwell captured and occupied Perth in Scotland. Quickly after, he built this Citadel to maintain control of the town and the surrounding country. Many of Perths buildings were destroyed for their building materials including a hospital, a bridge, a cemetery with 300 tombstones, a school and 140 houses. The resulting homeless families were made the responsibility of the town.

Only 10 years later in 1661 the Citadel was gifted back to the town following the death of Cromwell and the restoration of the KIng. The town then profited by demolishing the fortress and selling it off for building materials.