Perth is a city in Scotland, and the role of provost is similar to that of a mayor in many other countries.
The Merchant Guild of Perth was chartered in 1210, and the post of provost may have originated at this point.
[1] The first holder whose name is known is John Mercer, who served in 1368.
[2] Until 1975, the post was Lord Provost of Perth, and ranked second in precedence after the Lord Provost of Edinburgh.
With the reorganisation of local government, it became Provost of Perth and Kinross.