Perthshire Society of Natural Science is Perth's meeting place for all people with an interest in the Natural World. Since its founding in 1867 PSNS has been at the centre of Perth's cultural and intellectual life. The Society has four "Sections", each devoted to a particular interest. These are Archaeology and History, Botany, Ornithology and Photography. Each Section organises its own series of activities, lectures and outings.

PSNS also runs a series of public evening lectures during the winter. The talks, called "Curious Minds", explore the theme of Contemporary Science in Scotland and in the first two seasons have ranged from mud houses in the Carse of Gowrie through the physiology of seals to black holes and the Higgs Boson.

Since the 1870's the Society has accumulated a vast collection of books and journals. The Library is housed in Perth Museum and Art Gallery. The Society has also published a Journal series with many interesting articles on the natural and human history of Perthshire and several of the Sections have produced publications relevant to their interests.