Welcome to the Urban Historian

20230403 205548 0000

Due to illness, all Urban Historian activities are postponed until later in 2024. I am recovering from a bone marrow transplant and now need time to get my energy and fitness back for the walking tours, but hope to make a start on talks and history cafes before the walks. I intend to maintain the website by researching and publishing new history stories as and when I’m able. Stephen

If you’d like to support myself over the next 6 months or so to keep the website online, donations can be made via https://www.buymeacoffee.com/urbanhistorian or through the buttons at the foot of the page.

Also check out the shop for publications & Notebooks available on Amazon.co.uk

Please keep an eye on my social media for future updates.

Professional History Talks and Guided Heritage Walking Tours in

Paisley & Renfrewshire, Scotland

Genealogical & Historical Research

News

History Casts

History Stories

Click here for full archive

No Heritage Walks or Talks are currently planned. I have left the last set of walks and talks below to give an idea of the variety available.

Heritage Walks

(to view all walks please click here)

History/ Genealogy Course &Talks

Online pre-recorded events

Please follow us on Facebook

Cover for The Urban Historian
899
The Urban Historian

The Urban Historian

The Urban Historian is dedicated to telling the story of Paisley and Renfrewshire through short courses, study days, online courses and heritage walks relating to the history of Scotland. We also specialise in local research and genealogy.

The Urban Historian

2 days ago

The Urban Historian
This week’s “Then” image features Seedhill Road in 1960 at the corner of Lacy Street with Biggins grocer shop right on the corner. The adverts from the News of the World and Senior Service help to date this image. In the distance you can see the old Paisley Barrhead railway line bridge.#FlashbackFriday 📸: tinyurl.com/3f3fukhhImagine Description: Looking across the road to M. Biggins grocer shop on the corner and along the front entrances to the tenement houses. Children standing outside the shop and people walking on the pavements. Lyons Ice Cream advert on wall of side of building. Railway bridge in the background. ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

The Urban Historian

4 days ago

The Urban Historian
Sma' Shot Cottages were pleased to attend the "Box Opening" at Trades Hall in Glasgow last week. We are again very grateful to be on the list of organisations to receive funds from the Incorporation of Weavers, such funds enabling us to maintain the Cottages and keep them open for the public to enjoy. The Old Paisley Society is a charity and relies entirely on donations and income from our shop, tearoom and from any visitors' donations. There is no admission charge to see round the Cottages so please do pop in, have a tour, something from our tearoom, buy a small memento and help to keep this very important part of Paisley's Heritage alive."Brief History of the Incorporation of Weavers - Originally operating as a trading standards of sorts they controlled all aspects of the Weaving craft within the City, from production and sale of woven goods to the training of apprentices. Further to this the Incorporation existed to help the poor and sick of their craft and their dependents. This early form of welfare was funded through membership fees, duties paid on woven goods and fines handed out to weavers whose work (and actions) were found to be below the standards of the Craft. These funds would be administered by the Collector of the incorporation and stored in the Weavers Chest. The chest would be opened each year during the Incorporation's Box opening where members of the craft could inspect the funds and make sure that they are being used correctly. The Weavers annual box opening is still a tradition held today where funds are paid out to the various charities and projects supported through that year." ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

The Urban Historian – see the history around you
Translate »