Glasgow South Accommodation

Greenock, Paisley Shawl Textiles, Port Glasgow, Gourock, Renfrewshire

Close to Glasgow, Paisley is easily reached by rail from Glasgow central station. Head here to find out more about the town's fascinating textile heritage, paritcularly the famous Paisley Shawl.

Moving further west (also easy by rail), into the Inverclyde area and main towns of Greenock, Gourock to the far west Inverkip, industrial heritage particularly shipbuilding history at Greenock is explored in Greenock's McLean Museum and Art Gallery. Greenock's famous son, James Watt, inventor of the steam engine is also given due attention.

Paisley & Paisley Shawl, 19th Century Textiles History

Paisley sits just 8 miles west of Glasgow. If you're based in Glasgow it's well worth making the trip to Paisley, easiest by rail from Glasgow Central Station to Paisley Gilmour Street, to visit the Paisley Museum & Art Galleries. Paisley's history as a centre for textiles, particularly the Paisley Shawl worn by almost anyone of note in the 19th century, is not to be underestimated. During both the 19th and 20th century, Paisley weavers were some of the most skilled weavers in the world. The replica East Indian Kashmir shawls made in Paisley dominated the shawl market to such a large extent that the shawl became known as the Paisley shawl.

To find out more about Paisley's textile history a visit to the Paisley Museum & Art Gallery is not to be missed. In here there's a huge Paisley Shawl collection consisting of over 1000 items, as well as records from textile manufacturers, pattern books and recently acquired weaving machinery. The Paisley Museum is planning to offer a living history type exhibit on handloom weaving, incorporating demonstrations and question and answer sessions. Other exhibitions in the museum include social history displays drawing on photography held in its huge archive (these include photography and archive on the world famous thread manufacturers J & P Coats of Paisley. (see also the gregarious Victorian Thomas Coats Memorial Church at the end of the High Street in Paisley, and the Coats Observatory situated on a hill above the art gallery borrows the Coats name).

The art gallery section of the Paisley museum holds some gems, including paintings by members of the Glasgow School and of Scottish Colourist and Paisley born writer/artists John Byrne. Historic buildings in Paisley include the Sma' Shot Cottages on Shuttle Street and George Place. These cottages offer an insight into the daily tough lives of Paisley weavers during the 18th and 19th centuries. A loom shop and living areas form part of the display, and demonstrate how home and work were one and the same for these workers. Paisley celebrates a workers festival annually on Sma' Shot Day, the first Saturday in July annually. It began life as a celebration of the Paisley weavers victory over 19th century mill owners. Today it's managed by Renfrewshire Council's department of Education and Leisure Services. The day involves a march, and usually a ceremonial burning of a giant cardboard mill owner figures. See the Paisley online history weblink right for Sma' Shot Day photography.

For full listings of Paisley's attractions and historic buildings, see the Renfrewshire Council weblink right, which includes the Paisley Arts Centre Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, High Street, Paisley, PA1 2BD. Tel. 0141 8893151. See also Paisley Abbey's weblink right. Paisley Abbey was founded in 1163.

Inverclyde - Port Glasgow, Greenock, Gourock, Inverkip

The Inverclyde area to the west of Glasgow incorporates the main towns of Greenock, Gourock, Port Glasgow and to the far west Inverkip and Wemyss Bay bordering Ayrshire. During the 19th and 20th centuries shipbuilding and innovative industrial invention (notably James Watt from Greenock, inventor of the steam engine) featured heavily. The area pays due homage to its industrial heritage and shipbuilding history in museums such as the McLean museum and Art Gallery and the Custom House Museum in Greenock. A number of country parks and estates are in the area including the superb moorland and woodlands of Clyde Muirshiel Park and the Finlaystone Country Estate near Langbank.

Trains run regularly from Glasgow Central station, to Glasgow International Airport then on to Port Glasgow, Green, Inverkip and Gourock, making the area easy to access by Rail. Motorway links are also quick and direct to Greenock, just 28 miles west of Glasgow. The fishing village of Port Glasgow is the site for 15th century Newark Castle situated on the river bank.

Greenock's industrial history, not just in shipbuilding, but also as a working port and centre for departure for many emigrants leaving for th US, Canada and elsewhere, is well known. Its most famous son is James Watt who invested the separate condenser for the steam engine in 1765. Many of the improvements to Greenock Harbour in 1772 were also down to Watt. Find out more about James Watt at the McLean Museum and Art Gallery on Union Street. (see Inverclyde weblink right for opening times). The splendid Custom House in Greenock explores the history of contraband and smuggling in the area, with the frontal dock area adjacent being the main site for emigrants departing. Boat trips along the Clyde and upto Loch Lomond depart in front of the Custom House. (see the Clyde Cruiser weblink right for details).

Further west at Gourock, Caledonian MacBrayne offer a ferry service to Dunoon (see weblink right). The Gourock and Wemyss Bay coasts were once favoured 'Doon the Watter' destinations for seaside holiday breaks, with mass exodus's of Glaswegians descending on the area during holiday times (much like the Wakes Weeks exodus to Blackpool from Lancashire Mill towns). Gourock still has a seafront outdoor heated swimming pool with spectacular views across to the Argyll Mountains. Not to be missed is the famous Wemyss Bay Railway Station with its glass fan shaped roof! Inverkip Marina (weblink right) offers a choice of sports on the water, whilst Gourock has its own yacht club with more sailing and watersports available. See the Inverclyde and other weblinks right for details. Golf courses are at Greenock, Gourock, Kilmacolm and Port Glasgow.

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