[4] Over its course, at least nineteen industrial sites existed; today, the remains of nine of these can be seen, the rest lost to inner-city development and housing schemes of the 20th and 21st centuries.

It passes under both, as well as the southbound link road between the A9 and the A85, before running to the north of McDiarmid Park and Perth Crematorium.

After passing through the area of the former J. Pullar and Sons dyeworks, to the north of Sandeman Court and Bracken Brae, its course turns due south as it meets the railway.

It passes beneath Crieff Road just east of Collinson View and continues for 2,600 feet into Perth city centre, passing under Caledonian Road and St. Catherine's Retail Park,[4] before finishing its journey below Mill Street, from Lower City Mills to Tay Street, where it discharges into the River Tay, Scotland's longest river, from its western banks near Smeaton's Bridge at an elevation of 14.0 m (45.9 ft).

[5] After passing through the City Mills, a southern spur of the lade flowed south along the line of South Methven Street, around Canal Crescent, and turned east along Canal Street, where small boats were used to offload coal from larger vessels on the Tay, while flour from the mills was also transported.