Ferguslie A brief history of the medieval estate to the 20th Century Ferguslie today is seen as a large housing scheme – totally unrecognisable from its medieval origins. The name Ferguslie is most likely derived from “the meadow of Fergus” but who was this Fergus? We will probably never know. The lands that comprise Ferguslie… Continue reading Ferguslie – A brief history of the medieval estate
Category: History
History articles
Paisley Canal Disaster 1810, list of those who died & survived
Paisley Canal Disaster 1810, list of those who died & survived On the 10th November 1810, 10 days afte the canal opened, the duchess of Eglington, skippered by Thomas Rhodes was returning from Johnstone with an excursion. _____ Awaiting the arrival of the boat from Johnstone, there was, in the forenoon, a large assemblage of… Continue reading Paisley Canal Disaster 1810, list of those who died & survived
Dark Events at Bargarran in 1676
Dark Events at Bargarran in 1676 Today when the name Bargarran is mentioned, we always turn our mind to 1696 and the last mass witch hunt in Scotland that led to the execution of 7 people in Paisley on the 10th October 1697. But the events that unfolded there in 1696 were preceded by a… Continue reading Dark Events at Bargarran in 1676
Improvements around Abbey Close, Paisley
Improvements around Abbey Close, 1860 – 1933 is a short book talking about the removal of post reformation housing around Paisley Abbey and is accompanied by many before and after pictures. This volume (aIT-RH3) is currently out of print, and has been made available for consultation for a few weeks. If you download please make… Continue reading Improvements around Abbey Close, Paisley
The “Tomb” of Marjory Bruce
The “Tomb” of Marjory Bruce Today withing the Choir of Paisley Abbey sits the “Tomb” of Marjory Bruce, daughter of Robert Bruce, King of Scotland and wife of Walter Stewart, 6th High Steward of Scotland. While researching a Walter Stewart for a chapter in ‘Conquered by No One’ on the Declaration of Arbroath, my attention… Continue reading The “Tomb” of Marjory Bruce
John Stevenson & Sons
John Stevenson & Sons Have you ever walked down Weighhouse Close in Paisley and wondered what the old single story building and yard between the Private Car park and the Mrs Coats Home for Girls used to be? After doing some investigation, i have realised that this and the associated buildings probably make up one… Continue reading John Stevenson & Sons
Lobnitz at War
Lobnitz shipyard in Renfrew mostly built and specialised in Dredgers and Dregde equipment for clients worldwide. During World War II the construction of dredgers contunued, though mostly for Admiralty contracts. This article looks at the Mulberry Harbours and HMS Pelorus.
A tour of Paisley Abbey
Peter Burnet – “Black Peter”
From the New Paisley Repository No.4 Saturday, January, 15th. 1853 SONG. To the Air – ” CAPTAIN PATON.” Composed after reading the life of Peter Burnet, commonly known in Paisley by “BLACK PETER.” PETER BURNET was born on the estate of Thos. Todd, Esq. in the state of Virginia, in the year 1764.… Continue reading Peter Burnet – “Black Peter”
County Buildings & Jail
County Square, Paisley Paisley’s 19th century County Buildings & Jail, sat between county Square and the River White Cart. They replaced Paisley Tollbooth that sat at the corner of the High Street and Moss Street. In turn The County of Renfrew decided that their space in the buildings was too small and in 1887 they… Continue reading County Buildings & Jail