PAISLEY

A glimpse of Paisley in the hands of Scotland's Online Tourist Guide.

[@williambutler5091]

Thanks Edward. It was great to see my home town again but really, could ye no' hae done a wee bit o' homework first. You let yer sen down man. You were at the bloody Anchor mill ya nugget.

[@EdExploresScotland]

You're absolutely right. More research required on my part. It's not a great video, to be honest. I think I just ditched any research and went for a walk-about and babble into the camera. But there's no getting away from the fact that Paisley is one heck of a town from an architecture point of view. I really grew to love the place. All the best.

[@Ne31forlife]

Nice video, I'm from just outside Newcastle and spent 9 months in Paisley in 1987 but I can't remember if I ever visited the zoo so you can't blame me. Got there just after St Mirren won the FA Cup and the town was festooned in black and white made me feel right at home. Used to get off the train go to a delicatessan get me cheese and coleslaw sandwich and walk up to the digs in corsebar road. Video has brought back so many nice memories.

[@williambutler5091]

You have to do some homework in future. I cant understand why you would go to the bother of filming and posting and what not but not read a freakin book about the place first.

[@EdExploresScotland]

It was just a wee dander, William, one where I made a conscious effort not to do any research and simply have a stroll through the town while letting thoughts flow. Perhaps some day I'll do a proper video of Paisley. It's a town I love.

[@bmclaughlin01]

@@EdExploresScotlandOne of Scotland’s most important towns, it would be great to see a detailed video.

[@williambutler5091]

Well, thanks for mentioning the architecture - it is fantastic. I sung as a boy in Paisley abbey choir in the 70's. George McPhee was the choirmaster. He still is today !

[@lynnthomason6589]

Good morning Eddie. I really enjoyed this video. Great visit to Paisley. Interesting places to visit. I wish I could come to see it all in person. I’m three-fourths dead now; Long Covid, lung and heart damage. Maybe in my next life. Your videos bring me great joy every day. Thanks so much. Lynn in Naples FL 😎

[@EdExploresScotland]

Thanks Lynn.

[@MrMeadfoot]

You past by my hoose on Seedhill Rd, 20yrs ago mind you, not changed much.

[@alzyerpal-TV]

That wee bridge at the Anchor Mill was originally about 100yds closer to the mill building than now. Crossing directly towards the corner tower. It was taken away for heavy renovation about 15 years or so ago, then placed at its new location as part of the mill's conversion into apartments.

[@alzyerpal-TV]

Sma Shot cottages has limited opening times as its run by volunteers from the Old Paisley Society. I guess they have day jobs too.

[@williambutler5091]

By the way, my name's actually Calum Butter. Hello Paisley - I love you.

[@alzyerpal-TV]

Great architecture around Paisley, it has the highest amount of listed buildings per head of population outsude Edinburgh.

[@EdExploresScotland]

Yes, I totally agree. Always relish a trip there.

[@paulstewart6293]

When I was there the elephant felll to bits. I used to to to the museum every Saturday and the librrary. Loved it.

[@EdExploresScotland]

The few animals they had in the museum did look a bit tatty. The museum's been closed for over a year for major renovations. I understand it will open next year, and I'm looking forward to visiting it.

[@marymoynihan3193]

I always thought the elephant was a mammoth lol

[@paulstewart6293]

@@marymoynihan3193 maybe it was. I was young, it was the sixties.

[@allancopland1768]

Barshaw. A wee 77 acre park and golf course. I live close to it. I also worked in Anchor Mill for 19 years. The blue and red buiding was the gassing department. I mostly worked in the Package Dyeworks as Colour Matcher. That wee red metal bridge...I crossed it twice a day, 5 days a week. The Coats and Clark companies set up competing mills but eventually merged. ANCHOR ... well look it up. Paisley High Street... dinnae bother. It's a dump. RDC have ruined it. Coats the Threadmakers gave Paisley most of it's grand buildings. That 'renovation'? Aye well, it's being renovated aka re-ruined again at great expense. Good luck in your travels.

[@EdExploresScotland]

Cheers Allan. One of my early point-and-shoot videos. 'Could do better', would probably be the phrase.

[@janetmackinnon3411]

Thanks for climbing all those stairs for us!

[@AlexNicholl-fe2ct]

You missed Solomon!🪜♈♉♊♋♓♒♑

[@swarthyjake4433]

this covid pandemic has ruined my annual holiday in Paisley , now i can only dream of what might have been this year and look forward to next year , meanwhile suffering in London and the south east of England .

[@lewis1713]

I live in hunterhill

awesome vid

[@paulwild3676]

It looks very like East Lancashire or West Yorkshire. That will be the textiles.

[@EdExploresScotland]

Many of these old mill buildings had a similar look to them. Just a shame we're not making textiles these days. All the best.

[@manuelamaie9252]

Been in Paisley two weeks ago. There are so many interesting buildings, museums etc. but everthing was closed.... I was so keen on getting more information about the fabric industrie and the Paisly-pattern. but no chance.

[@EdExploresScotland]

That's a shame. Check the internet for when these places open, like the Thread Mill Museum.

[@annemcclelland9899]

Many thanks for your ramble round Paisley! I grew up there and enjoyed my weekly visit to the library and museum. Climbed the tower in Coats memorial in my youth! The observatory is an amazing place. When I visited it the first time, I discovered that the reason for all the ramps to the top was so that Thomas Coats could access it - later in life he was a wheelchair user. I think there was a window with all the 'signs of the zodiac' also. Thanks again! :)

[@EdExploresScotland]

Cheers Anne. The observatory's certainly an atmospheric place. Looking forward to seeing the renovated museum next year. Take care.

[@christinestevenson4892]

I was born in Barshaw hospital 1954. I always felt sorry for the fox and the wildcat cooped up in the "zoo".

[@johnfindlay4215]

I was born in Barshaw Hospital in 1957 moved to the United States in 1970 Unfortunately I have never been able to go back home

[@williamauld4083]

The Anchor is the symbol of the Anchor Mill.

[@EdExploresScotland]

Many thanks William. I've been slated for not being factual enough in this video, but at the end of the day it was one of my early efforts, and I was really just out for a dander as opposed to a fact-finding mission.

[@alzyerpal-TV]

Anchor Mills by Coats and the Ferguslie Mills by Clarks. Ferguslie was just as impressive a building but demolished for a modern housing estate in the 90's.

[@DH.2016]

You make a good point about opening times in Scotland during national holidays. A strange one. Also, considering your dearth of research in advance (not having a go, by the way - appreciate the approach you decided upon for the video), it's curious that you knew about The Bull Inn(!). Glad you did - a great example of Art Deco. 8-)

[@EdExploresScotland]

Yes, the holiday thing is a weird one. I see it all the time, and it makes no sense whatsoever. The thing about the Bull Inn is its tremendous and perfectly preserved Edwardian interior is spoiled somewhat by what I can only describe as a lot of modern electronic and advertising tat. Take all that away and you have perfection. You may see an example of this approach in the Old Toll Bar on Paisley Road West. It too was blighted by just a load of modern posters and stuff that pretty much hid a lot of the internal architecture and fittings. All that has been removed, and what you now have is one of the finest examples of a Victorian pub interior in the country.

[@slm3913]

Thank you for sharing this. There is so much history here. I remember visiting the museum and one of Queen Victoria's dresses was on display with the Paisley design. Paisley is where she came to have her dresses designed with the beautiful paisley design. The church was built in 1100. And still has services. Must be one of the oldest working buildings in Scotland. The Coats Memorial was built by The Coats family of Coats and Clark thread company. Absolutely beautiful Observatory. Was never there all those years. My father inlaw was a professor at the University. He taught electrical engineering and helped devise which type of electric tv and color that the UK would use. I think the shops are closed in respect for the Holy Weekend.

[@EdExploresScotland]

Thank you. Paisley's got a heck of a lot going for it. I always enjoy a visit to Paisley. Take care.

[@TinaMcBride63]

Paisley is a great town have ived here for 50 years loads to see ❤️

[@EdExploresScotland]

Absolutely. Awesome architecture, and I very much look forward to the re-opening of the museum.

[@MelsBelles74]

Pity you didn't find the chippy owned by Paulo Nutini parents which is still the same today as it were when my mum Marie Piggott took me and my older brother when we were toddlers in the early 70s , best chips ever and they're no frozen

[@EdExploresScotland]

One of my early videos that was more a rambling unplanned dander than anything. I have very fond memories of Paisley; it's a lovely place.

[@alzyerpal-TV]

Ed walked by it at the top end of the pedestrianised High Street, just a few steps around the corner at the top of New Street. Directly across is the Bull Inn, one of Scotland's oldest and largely unchanged pubs. Awash with stained glass and art nouveau detail dating back to 1901. Four amazing wee snugs too and a whole host of real ales on offer for after yer chippie tea at Nuitini's 'The Castelvecchi' across the road.

[@francaradolovich2029]

paisley is a dump. shops all boarded up. people who can't speak properly, all the buildings are depressing to look at and the weather stinks

[@EdExploresScotland]

Whoa Franca! The town, like most places, has its problems. But the legacy of the town's thread industry is a rich architectural heritage. Look up the next time you wander down the High Street - stunning. And Paisley is really pulling out the stops to attract visitors further to it losing the bid for UK City of Culture, a title that I suspect it may win in the years to come.

[@alzyerpal-TV]

You must be an over jealous weegie ? 😛

[@davidoneill913]

Ma home toon .

[@clairehislop5873]

Love hearing the town hall clock chime the hour, really like visiting Paisley to see all the beautiful architecture especially the Abbey & Gilmour St station, wonder if it will ever become a city (love the nickname "buddies")

[@alzyerpal-TV]

The buddie nickname comes from 'somebody' or indeed 'some buddie' from Paisley.

[@colinriley123]

Hello. i was in Paisley a couple of weeks ago. Even more was closed, but due to repair and development. What a place! You fall in love with it. Brilliant video and the exploration of the observatory was magical. Can't wait to look at more of your stuff.

[@EdExploresScotland]

Thanks Colin. All that past industry has left Paisley with loads of stunning architecture and magnificent public buildings. I always enjoy a visit there.

[@cwr3192]

Thank you for the great video, Ed. Many of my direct ancestors are from Paisley, but I have yet to visit there as I have always wanted to do. Until then, your video has provided a great flavor for the town, its history, and its beautiful architecture.

[@EdExploresScotland]

Thank you. Paisley's a town I am very fond of.

[@neilmutch4100]

Thank you so much for making this video. Very interesting..

[@EdExploresScotland]

Thanks Neil.

[@suzanneforrester8508]

hi! we chatted at the ship inn today, told you i’d take a mental note, lovely stuff :)

[@EdExploresScotland]

Hi Suzanne. Nice to talk to you. The Paisley video was one of my early video efforts and probably not that great. I think the miniature railway in Barshaw Park has started running again. Definitely worth a visit. All the best.

[@loopysquad]

I live in pesely it's getting worse 😋

[@karenm6665]

I enjoyed the content. Thank you for sharing.

[@EdExploresScotland]

Many thanks Karen.

[@alanmarshall6218]

Coats Memorial Church amazing if open. Its no longer a church but a venue. Enjoyed the video

[@EdExploresScotland]

Cheers Alan. When passing on the train it could be mistaken for the abbey; it looks more grand with its topping on the tower.

[@alzyerpal-TV]

It's currently being renovated into a world class music/arts venue. At the moment it's available for weddings. I believe it was the largest baptist cathedral in all of Europe.