[1] Thomas Hay Marshall and his father-in-law Thomas Anderson (owner of the former Blackfriars lands), who were responsible for the construction of much of Georgian Perth, made the first steps in the creation of Tay Street in the late 18th century when they constructed Atholl Crescent and Atholl Street in the north and Marshall Place in the south.

The southern end of Tay Street was closed to motorised traffic in January 2024, to allow sewer work by Scottish Water on Shore Road.

Located along the western side of the street's 0.47 miles (0.76 km) course are several notable buildings dating from the 19th century, designed by several of Scotland's leading architects.

[14] John Young's effort was Perth's former museum building, built between 1879 and 1881, which backs up to the Greyfriars Burial Ground.

[15] George Penrose Kennedy Young designed the municipal building at the corner of 2 High Street, which was erected in 1899.