Paisley town map - Ronald P A Smith Street Plans

Find your way around Paisley

FIRST THINGS FIRST! The best way of finding your way around the Burgh of Paisley is to purchase a copy of Ronald P A Smith's coloured Paisley Street Plan, available from the tourist information centre and from many of the local petrol filling stations and newsagents. This map was first published in 1986 and is now in its 8th edition. At the fairly large scale of 5 inches to 1 mile (1:12,500), it is the most detailed Paisley town map of its kind available; the only one with comprehensive indexes and locations of antiquities and places of interest; leisure facilities; educational establishments; places of worship; health and welfare facilities; and other information including the locations of industrial estates, emergency services, etc.

To order by post direct from the publisher, please click on the 'Map Ordering' button on the left.

BURGH OF PAISLEY

Situated a short distance west of Glasgow on the banks of the White Cart Water, Paisley is Scotland's fifth largest settlement, with a population of 74,170 in 2001. St Mirin, the town's patron saint is thought to have lived in the area in the 6th century, and its abbey church was founded in the early 12th century. Paisley was granted status as a free burgh by James IV in 1488, ending constant rivalry with the nearby, and at that time more important, Royal Burgh of Renfrew. After the Reformation, the abbey fell into ruin, but between 1860 and 1928, the church was restored to its former glory. In the 18th and 19th centuries, weaving was the town's basic industry, with up to 6,000 domestic looms in use. Alongside weaving, the production of thread became a huge undertaking, principally associated with the Paisley families of Coats and Clark. Robertson's preserves, with their 'Golly' trademark, also originated in Paisley, as of course did the Paisley shawl and the Paisley pattern.

The town's industrial past has left a legacy of fine buildings and open spaces, which, combined with earlier historical remains, gives an attractive and robust town centre well worthy of a visit. The town's shopping area is centred on the attractively pedestrianised High Street and features two indoor malls and ample car parking. Paisley is easily reached by rail and road, and Glasgow Airport is situated on its northern edge.

Antiquities and Places of Interest

Paisley Abbey and Place of Paisley - The town's greatest ancient building, Paisley Abbey (right) is prominently situated by the White Cart Water. Much of the structure dates from a 19th and early 20th century restoration, but features as old as 1190 remain. It contains many ancient tombs and monuments, including the 10th century Barochan Cross. The adjacent Place or 'Palace' of Paisley, now restored for church use, dates from the 16th century.

George A. Clark Town Hall - Immediately to the west of the Abbey, rising cliff-like from the White Cart Water, is the classical Paisley Town Hall, dating from 1879-82. It is an example of the munificence of the town's thread manufacturers. Will today's 'dot com' billionaires show similar generosity to their local communities?

The Cross and High Street - Running west from the Town Hall is the High Street, starting at the Cross with its impressive war memorial by Sir Robert Lorimer. In Dunn Square are statues of two of the Coats benefactors. Recent 'streetscape' investment has transformed and uplifted the character of the whole town centre..

To the north of the High Street rises Oakshaw Hill, an area of astounding architectural variety and interest, with a superb skyline. Oakshaw Street itself is a quiet oasis, seemingly detached from the hustle and bustle on the surrounding lower ground.

High Church - Now known as Oakshaw Trinity Parish Church, this church, which dates from 1750, has a prominent steeple commanding the view at the top of Church Hill (photograph on left).

Coats Observatory - This domed building (1883) in Oakshaw Street was one of the Coats family's many gifts to the town and houses one of Scotland's few observatories.

John Neilson Institution - Once a school, this former school building, again with a dome and dating from 1849-52, surmounts the western end of the Oakshaw Hill and is an indispensable feature of the Paisley townscape.

Tourist Information Centre - Centrally located in Gilmour Street, near the railway station of the same name, this all-year information centre is the place to gather further information on Paisley and the surrounding area, together with assistance in finding accommodation, etc.

Museum, Art Galleries and Library - One of Paisley's most magnificent buildings (see photograph on right). The more distant temple front, with its Ionic columns, was the first, designed by John Honeyman in 1868. The museum preserves a collection of over 700 Paisley shawls and an example of the Jacquard loom which made possible the 'teardrop' shapes or patterns forever associated with Paisley.

Coats Memorial Baptist Church - This building, seen in the background of the photograph, is the largest 'non-conformist' church in Britain. Dating from 1894, and designed by Hippolyte J. Blanc, it has been described as 'more cathedral than kirk', 'Gothic Revival architecture at its scenic best!' (RIAS Architectural Guide).

Laigh Kirk - Now accommodating the Paisley Arts Centre, this building is Paisley's second oldest church, dating from 1736. Nearby, at George Place, the Sma' Shot Cottages are a row of early 19th century artisans' houses, restored by the Old Paisley Society.

Tannahill's Cottage - Somewhat marooned in Queen Street, this thatched-roofed cottage was the birthplace of the rather tragic poet, Robert Tannahill (1774-1810).

Main Recreational Facilities

Public Parks - Paisley is blessed with many public parks, including Barshaw Park with its pond and miniature railway, the tree-lined Brodie Park, and the Gleniffer Braes Country Park on its southern outskirts.

Lagoon Leisure Centre - This facility on the eastern edge of the town centre comprises a modern leisure pool and ice rink.

Golf Courses - Paisley has no less than four golf courses on its outskirts - at Gleniffer Braes (Paisley Golf Club), Ralston, Barshaw and Elderslie.

Football Ground - The town is the home of St Mirren FC, based at Love Street.

All of the above attractions can be found using R P A Smith's Paisley Street Plan, plus comprehensive listing and locations of:
* Additional antiquities and places of interest
* Further parks, leisure and recreational facilities
* Schools, university and college; places of worship
* Hospitals, health centres and other welfare facilities
* Other categories such as Council offices and industrial estates
Much more than can reasonably be shown on this or any other web site!

R P A Smith's range of Street Plans (so far published) covers the following towns and villages around Paisley:

JOHNSTONE
LINWOOD
Elderslie
Brookfield
Kilbarchan
Howwood
Lochwinnoch
BARRHEAD
Neilston
Uplawmoor
GIFFNOCK
CLARKSTON
NEWTON MEARNS
Thornliebank
Busby
Waterfoot
Eaglesham