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The “Tomb” of Marjory Bruce
Today within 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 Walter Stewart VI for a chapter in ‘Conquered by No One’ on the Declaration of Arbroath, my attention…
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Dark Events at Bargarran in 1676
Today when the name Bargarran is mentioned, we always turn our minds to 1696/7 and the last mass witch hunt in Scotland that led to the execution of seven people in Paisley on the 10th October 1697. But the events that unfolded there in 1696 were preceded by a mysterious…
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Paisley Canal Disaster 1810
A list of those who died & survived On the 10th November 1810, 10 days after 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…
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Ferguslie – A brief history of the medieval estate
Ferguslie A brief history of the medieval estate to the 20th Century Ferguslie today is seen as a large housing scheme – 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…
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The Parish of Neilston
Today not many people think of Neilston as being part of Renfrewshire. It sits in the modern-day council area of East Renfrewshire, which was separated from the old county of Renfrew along with Inverclyde at the last local government reform. Neilston was the orginal parish church for Barrhead, before churches…
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A familiar Paisley building?
So what is this building in the picture? It is on Paisley High Street, close to two Paisley landmarks, but today it is a lot different! The two canons might just give it away. This is the original Volunteer Drill Hall, between Coats Memorial Church and Paisley Museum & Art…
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Paisley to Sarasota, Florida: The Browning’s
It’s late November 1885, around one 100 Scots are gathering at the docks in Glasgow to board Anchor Lines SS Furnessia with the intention of forming a new Scots Colony in Sarasota, Florida. Amongst the 100 are two Paisley families the Lawrie’s and the Browning’s who have sold their possessions…
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