RENFREWSHIREDOORS OPEN DAY2009

Sat 12th SeptemberPaisley, Bishopton, Inchinnan, Renfrew, Erskine

Sun 13th SeptemberJohnstone, Elderslie, Kilbarchan, Houston, Howwood, Lochwinnoch

European Heritage Days

Renfrewshire’s Doors Open Day is part of a Europe-wide celebration of our built heritage known as European Heritage Days. Events take place every September in 49 countries, with over 20 million visits recorded annually. Co-ordinated nationally by the Scottish Civic Trust, in 2008 951 “buildings” took part in the programme all over Scotland. For more information on this year’s Doors Open Days see www.doorsopendays.org.uk or contact the SCT brochure ordering line on 0141 248 1188. This year’s national theme celebrates Homecoming Scotland 2009, the year long celebration of Scotland, centred on the 250th anniversary of Burns birth, and focused on themes of ancestry, golf, whisky, innovation heritage and culture. Scottish Archaeology Month also forms part of European Heritage Days. For more information see www.scottisharchaeologymonth.com or call 0845 872 3333. We have some very special archaeology in this year’s programme - see below!

In this year’s programme

EventsEver watched Time Team? See real archaeologists at work near the Collegiate Church, Castle Semple, where the Renfrewshire Local History Forum’s archaeology section will be carrying out a geophysical survey around the church to try to trace any other buildings which might have been part of the complex. They will also be excavating a midden nearby which might be related to the nearby 18th century mansion house.

Abbey Drain DigWe hope to be conducting an exciting excavation around the modern manhole which leads into Paisley Abbey’s unique great drain. Funding is not confirmed as we go to press, but, with luck, archaeologists from the University of Glasgow will conduct a 12 day excavation culminating around Doors Open Day which should throw light on the construction history of the drain, may help to date it more precisely, and explain why it is of such an unusual scale. If the excavation takes place, the archaeologists will be on hand on Doors Open Day to talk to visitors, and explain their findings. Local businesses have generously offered to sponsor the event by providing some of the necessary equipment. Renfrewshire Council thanks Acre Industrial, On Site Ltd and Scot Jet Ltd for their valuable assistance.

Homecoming Scotland 2009Renfrewshire Registration Service is offering a half hour taster session in tracing your ancestry. Book early, places in short supply. Tel: 0141 840 3362.

Have you Semple ancestors in your family? If so, to celebrate the year of Homecoming, come and raise the Semple family flag at Castle Semple Centre to show a Semple has come home! Just ask at reception and sign the special visitors’ book.See the exhibition at Paisley Central Library which celebrates the connection between Paisley Scotland and Paisley Oregon USA.

PART OF EUROPEAN HERITAGE DAYSRENFREWSHIRE’S 16TH DOORS OPEN DAY

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Key to building notes

Refreshments

Toilets

Music

Exhibition

Building in Children’s Passport

With Historic Graveyards

Stained Glass

Unassisted wheelchair access

Assisted wheelchair access

Not suitable for disabled

New this yearThe final piece in the jigsaw of development and restoration of the Anchor Mills area is now in place (No. 31). The Gatehouse has been refurbished and this iconic little building is now restored as the entry point to the mill complex.

Limousine ShuttleJ & W Goudie, Funeral Directors of Maxwellton Street have generously offered to provide a limousine service around Paisley for Doors Open Day visitors. The limousines will operate on the route shown on the centre page map, with two cars. Guided Walks • Saturday 12th 2.30 - Oakshaw and its Churches. Starting at 6 Oakshaw Street ( formerly Moran’s Auctioneers). Duncan Macintosh, Renfrewshire Council’s Conservation Officer, will lead an exploration of Oakshaw’s churches in this “outstanding conservation area” including 6 Oakshaw Street former Moran’s auctioneers. This is the last of the public buildings to be regenerated on Oakshaw, a super conversion into maisonettes. Duncan’s long and energetic career as champion of Renfrewshire’s built heritage (and expert adviser to Doors Open Day!) ends with his retirement at the end of September.

• Sunday Johnstone History Society Guided Walks11.00 and 14.00, each walk will start at Johnstone Local History Museum in Morrison’s supermarket building - entrance at Napier Street or through covered walkway at Collier Street. See museum entry no (7) for details.

• Saturday Formakin Estate - guided walks at 11.00 and 14.00 booked places only - book by emailing pt@renfrewshire.gov.uk

Specially for Doors Open DayThe Bull Inn, (5) Paisley’s lovely Art Nouveau pub, is offering 25% discount on food if you take your DOD programme with you on Saturday 12th.

Children’s PassportDon’t forget Renfrewshire’s Children’s Passport designed to make Door’s Open Day fun for youngsters. Passports available from buildings, Paisley Tourist Information Centre or the Department of Planning & Transport, tel; 0141 842 5811.

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PAISLEy AbbEy AND tHE PLACE Of PAISLEy

Abbey Close,Open 10.00 - 16.00 (12th century onwards, transepts, tower and choir 19th & 20th century by Rowand Anderson, Peter Macgregor Chambers, Robert Lorimer). A sumptuous collection of 25 stained glass windows by 15 different artists, The Abbey Tower will be open (50p admission), - marvellous views of the town, upper floors of Place of Paisley open. Visit the nearby Abbey Drain excavation.

PAISLEy tOWN HALL

Abbey Close Open 10.00 - 16.00(WH Lynn 1872 - 82)This substantial classical building provides a suite of grand halls and function rooms for the town. Climb the staircase to view the first floor Loggia and Balcony with views of the Abbey. Disabled access via Gauze Street entrance. Guided tours, children’s activities. From 10.30 - 15.30 experience the excitement and thrills of CGI as you’re chased “Indiana Jones style” when the Town Hall joins in the archaeology theme. St MAttHEW’S CHurCH Of tHE NAzArENE

Gordon StreetOpen 11.00 - 15.00 tea room open 11.00 - 14.00(WD McLennan, 1906): The finest work of Paisley’s own Art Nouveau architect, the church vies with Mackintosh’s earlier Queen’s Cross Church for the title of the most art nouveau church in Scotland. Majestic Great War memorial window in choir by Robert Anning Bell. Leaflet about building and congregation. This year the congregation celebrates its centenary. Special children’s programme with puppets and magic, every hour. Organ music throughout the day.

PAISLEy ArtS CENtrE

New StreetOpen 10.00 - 16.00(James Baird and John Hart 1736-38) Built by the Town Council as the first post reformation church in the town. Converted by the

Council’s architects to an Arts Centre in 1987. The café will be open for teas, coffees, cakes, snacks and lunches. From 10.30 to14.30 free mask making drop-in workshop where you and your family can recreate some of the ancient treasures from Indiana Jones adventures.

tHE buLL INN

New StreetOpen 11.00 - 01.00, Sunday 12.30 - 23.45(W.D. McLennan 1900-01) Rare Art Nouveau pub with dark joinery, stained glass, cosy snugs around beautiful top lit rear lobby. A ten flat tenement towers above like an Arthur Rackham fantasy. Bring your Doors Open Day programme and get a 25% discount on food on Saturday 12th.

SMA’ SHOt COttAGE

11/17 George Place, 14 Shuttle StOpen 10.00 - 16.00(Weavers’ & artisans’ houses, 18th & 19th century) Headquarters of the energetic Old Paisley Society which has restored these cottages as a museum. Restored Victorian interiors typical of Paisley’s historic 19th century development. Costumed guides and tours of the complex. Tearoom provides light lunches. (Wheelchair access to lower floors only). PAISLEy MuSEuM & Art GALLErIES

High StreetOpen 10.00 - 17.00 Sat & 14.00 -17.00 Sun (John Honeyman 1868 & 1881); Honeyman Keppie & Mackintosh 1902; T G Abercrombie, 1915) Uplifting neo Classical palace of the visual arts. Disabled please ring first to arrange visit and parking (0141 889 3151). There will be drop-in archaeology workshops where you

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can experience first hand the work of an archaeologist by taking part in your very own simulated dig. There will also be the opportunity to take part in textile activities using ancient technology. No disabled access to Art Galleries.

PAISLEy CENtrAL LIbrAry

High StreetOpen 9.00 - 17.00. 14.00 Reference Library 1868 by John Honeyman. Lending and children’s libraries 1904 by Honeyman, Keppie and Mackintosh, altered and extended in 1933 by Keppie & Henderson. Charles Rennie Mackintosh designed the lending libraries in 1902. Exhibitions will include “The Icebreakers,” celebrating the cultural link between Paisley, Oregon, and Paisley Scotland. Various activities based on the “Wild West” theme.

tHOMAS COAtS MEMOrIAL bAPtISt CHurCH

High StreetOpen 11.00 - 16.00 (Hippolyte G Blanc 1894). The “Baptist Cathedral of Europe”; a Gothic church of great presence and drama, terminating the view along the High Street. Interior of serious opulence in excellent preservation rich in sculptures in oak, bronze and marble.

SATURDAY PAISLEY

Delightful Victorian vestry with restored stencilling and toilet. Some decorative glass. Tower trips till 15.30, weather permitting. Last admission 15.45. Again this year a flight simulator provided by the Mission Aviation Fellowship, a charity which flies missionaries and medical personnel to places commercial airlines cannot land.

CENtrAL bAPtISt CHurCH

14 Lady LaneOpen 10.00 - 16.00Church 1867, gallery added 1891, hall 1965, now newly refurbished. Serving three joined congregations formed in 1795, this is the older and simpler of Paisley’s two Baptist churches. Teas.

COAtS ObSErvAtOry

49 Oakshaw Street WestOpen 10.00 - 16.00 Guided tours 10.30, 11.30, 2.30 & 3.30(John Honeyman 1883) For Health & Safety reasons the building is limited to 50 people at a time. A ramp links a sequence of perfect classical rooms stacked in four storey tower and answering questions about astronomy. Alexander Stoddart’s bust of Newton. Painted glass windows depicting astronomers. Coats Observatory is one of only two of its kind in Scotland, open all year round to the public.

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PAISLEy PHOtOGrAPHIC SOCIEty

53 - 55 Oakshaw StreetOpen 10.00 - 16.00 Exhibition of members photography, tours of the premises.

JOHN NEILSON INStItutION

West BraeOpen 10.00 - 16.00(Charles Wilson 1849-52) Wilson’s astonishing addition to Paisley’s skyline; a fabulous distortion of antique classical forms, known to locals as the “Porridge Bowl”. Originally a school financed by a local grocer, now converted to flats. The central atrium, with statue of Diogenes by Alexander Stoddart, will be open.

OAKSHAW trINIty CHurCH

Oakshaw Street EastOpen 10.00 - 16.00(John White 1754, steeple 1770, interior renovated 1877 by Rennison & Scott) 1899 Hill organ newly restored. Seven notable stained

glass windows - two by Oscar Paterson c1918, two by Alec Walker, c1909 and 1921, Gordon Webster, 1951, Sadie McLellan, 1973, and John Clark, 1996. Stunning plaster ceiling. Music.

HOLy trINIty & St bArNAbAS CHurCH

St James Place/Moss St.Open 10.00 - 16.0016.00 Choral Evensong. (1833, Choir added 1883). Behind thin “Gothick” facade, discover the richly decorated choir with stained glass window of Christ in Glory given by Harveys of Castle Semple, 1883. Contrasting, with startling colours, the new west window portrays times of day, the seasons, and places connected to the lives commemorated by Colin Stevenson. Exhibition of vestments, church needlework and lace making, live organ music. Hot and cold drinks and snacks

SHErIff COurt HOuSE PAISLEy

St James StreetOpen 10.00 - 17.00Clarke & Bell, 1885 & 1890. Baxter Clark & Paul 1997. Enter 1885 palazzo and ascend its grand staircase now extending into 1890 former County Buildings to view panelled County Hall with 40 foot long relief sculpture by John Rhind. Note also bust by James Fillans, frieze behind raised portico outside by FW Pomeroy. Refurbished and greatly extended to rear 1997. Visit to cells, prison van and two courtrooms - sit in the judge’s chair. St JAMES CHurCH Of SCOtLAND

Underwood RoadOpen 10.00 - 16.00 (Hippolyte Blanc 1880, 1904). Muscular Gothic revival, dominated by a tall strong steeple. A landmark but also a building of considerable architectural merit. Almost certainly this church and the accomplished treatment of the cruciform plan interior helped to win Blanc the commission for the Coats Memorial Church. Stained glass throughout the church, most by A. Ballantine & Gardiner. Handbells - try your hand.

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MArtyrS’ CHurCH

Broomlands StreetOpen 10.00 - 15.00(1847) Sturdy neo-Norman front and tower and interior changes by T G Abercrombie, 1904. Organ music at intervals during the day. Light refreshments.

tANNAHILL’S COttAGE

Queen StreetOpen 11.00 - 15.30Especially important in this year of Homecoming and Burns 250th anniversary. The cottage was built 1775 by the father of Paisley poet Robert Tannahill who lived here most of his life (1774-1810). Home of the Paisley Burns Club, one of the two oldest Burns clubs in the world. Reopened after fire in 2003 with new display of Burns and Tannahill memorabilia.

PAISLEy MASONIC tEMPLE

68 Maxwellton RoadOpen 11.00 - 16.00(Probably by Woodhouse and Morely of Bradford, 1886). Built as the managers’ and staff dining hall for the Ferguslie Thread Works, see fine stained glass stair window. Bought by the Masons of Paisley 1956/57. All five Paisley Lodges now meet here. Exhibition of masonic regalia, including Art Nouveau furniture by WD McLennan for Lodge 370 of

WALLNEuK NOrtH CHurCH

Abercorn StreetOpen 10.00 - 12.00 (T G Abercrombie 1913-15) Hailed as the triumph of stylish Paisley architect Thomas Graham Abercrombie, this perpendicular Gothic creation is one of the most powerful compositions to be found in Paisley. Special Exhibition“ A Year In the Life of Wallneuk Church”. Please note the church has a wedding on Saturday afternoon, so is open for Doors Open Day morning only.

AbErCOrN CONfErENCE & LEArNING CENtrE

Reid Kerr College Renfrew RoadOpen 10.00 - 16.00(John Hutchison, 1902) This historic building is in “board school” style with Art Nouveau features. It now forms part of an expanding Reid Kerr College campus and was in 2001 internally renovated and refurbished to provide a state of the art Conference & Training Centre. Many of the original features externally and internally have been retained and add to the character of this historic building. Exhibition of Reid Kerr Students’ Work.

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which he was a member. Fund raising events for a nominated charity.

CAStLEHEAD PArISH CHurCH

Canal Street/Main RoadOpen 12.00 - 16.00(1781-82, refurbished 1868) Originally the West Relief Church, this tall, substantial hall kirk sits within the wooded graveyard which contains the poet Tannahill’s tomb (1810) and those of several victims of the 1832 cholera epidemic. Display of old church artefacts, conducted tours of the graveyard and Tannahill memorial. Disabled access to graveyard difficult. Light refreshments

St MAry’S rC CHurCH

167 George StreetOpen 10.30 - 14.00Pugin and Pugin 1891, apse added 1905) Decorated Gothic in red sandstone. Post war stained glass above choir, and in the apse, members of the congregation (teachers, cleaner, etc) under Our Lady’s mantle (?1968). Whole church completely restored, including the Watt organ.

St MIrIN’S rC CAtHEDrAL

Incle Street/Glasgow RoadOpen 08.00 - 16.00(Thomas Baird 1930-32) Neo Romanesque with airy vaulted interior. Embellished after becoming a cathedral in 1940s, including high in the sanctuary, four colourful tripartite windows depicting the Eucharistic miracles. Also in vestibule see window of Jesus with Children at site of font by Charles Baillie, 1932. Masses at 10.00,13.00 and 18.30. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament 10.30 - 13.00.

rENfrEWSHIrE HOuSE Cotton Street (additions Cooper Cromer, 2007) Customer Services Centre open 10.00 - 16.00 Chamber open 10.00 - 13.00 Renfrewshire House is Renfrewshire Council’s Headquarters building which in addition to its refurbished open plan offices features a new

Customer Services Centre, Marriage Suite and Council Chamber. Its focal point is the new Chamber which is suspended over the public service desks and is elliptical to embody the principles of equality and inclusive debate in local democracy. Provost Lawson will welcome visitors to the Chamber.

rENfrEWSHIrE HOuSE - rEGIStrAtION SErvICE

Interested in tracing your ancestry during this Year of Homecoming? Renfrewshire’s registrars will be available to help you search. Book early for a half hour taster session guided by a registrar, telephone the registration section on 0141 840 3362 before Doors Open Day. Sessions run from 10.00 finishing at 14.00 in the Customer Services Centre, so available places will be in short supply.

DIStrICt COurt

Mill StreetOpen 10.00 - 13.00(1969-1973 Hutchison Locke and Monke) The most homely part of the huge public buildings complex, itself one of the better examples of 1960’s brutalism. Guide on hand to show visitors around the building including the cells.

ANCHOr MILLS WESt GAtEHOuSE

Seedhill/Mill StOpen 10.00 - 16.00(1909, Woodhouse & Morley of Bradford)This diminutive building mimics the huge Anchor Mill built 13 years before, and served to control gates on both flanks and as the mill’s own telephone exchange. Empty and abused since 1984, the Council managed on a second attempt in 2007 to impose a compulsory purchase order, resulting in its acquisition by Marcus Dean who has converted it to let as offices. This restoration completes the regeneration of the Anchor Mills area.

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PAISLEy tHrEADMILL MuSEuM- MILE END MILL

Seedhill RoadOpen 10.00 - 16.00(1899, W J Morley of Bradford for J & P Coats) A listed. Six tall floors high in red brick, 18 bays long, with stair towers topped with landmark copper roofed lanterns. The building now functions as a business centre. An area of the ground floor has been provided rent free for the development of a museum devoted to the thread industry of Paisley, run by volunteers. Exhibitions of mill memorabilia, including a large collection of photographs of former employees.

ANCHOr MILL

LonendOpen 10.00 - 16.00(1886, Woodhouse and Morley, of Bradford)Largest of the 40 Clark mill buildings on the Anchor Mills site, the Domestic Finishing Mill stands in an imposing location on the White Cart by the Hammills waterfall and forms the third of the trio of iconic buildings in this part of the town, the others being the Abbey and the Town Hall. The huge atrium space formerly housed the engines from which drive was taken to equipment on each of the four floors. Slide presentation, art for sale. Marie Hay local artist will be showing her work.

MILL brIDGE

The iconic footbridge across the White Cart, built around 1880 is a fine example of a bow string trussed footbridge with wrought iron railings. The Prince’s Regeneration Trust in collaboration with Renfrewshire Council Department of Planning and Transport, Morrison’s PLC and Historic Scotland contributed £590,000 to its restoration by Heritage Engineering.

LIvING WAtEr CHrIStIAN CENtrE

Stock StreetOpen 10.00 - 16.00(built 1885 as U.F. church, now with a new congregation) Two windows, Mary and Martha, possibly by Stephen Adam (1846/48 - 1910) whose only other surviving work in Paisley is a pair of windows in the Abbey.

LyLESLAND CHurCH Of SCOtLAND

123 Rowan Street, Paisley Open 11.00 - 15.00Greenock & Will, 1983 (halls 1955) Bright, spacious church with fine acoustics to appreciate the highly reputed direct-action pipe organ (1983) by Nigel Church with Cedar of Lebanon casework. Particularly well suited to the Baroque repertoire. Pulpit (1880s) and Italian white marble font (1925) brought from the congregation’s original church in Stock Street. Special exhibition on the 125th anniversary of the founding of the congregation.

SCOtSCrAIG

18 Park Road, Open 10.00 - 16.30(John Hutchison) Substantial villa of many gables and bay windows overlooking terraced gardens. Built for industrialist John Scott of Eadie Brothers Ltd, now a 5 star b&b.

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ANCHOR MILL BUSINESS CENTRE

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© Crown copyright. All rights reservedRenfrewshire Council O.S. licence LA09044L 2009.

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© Crown copyright. All rights reservedRenfrewshire Council O.S. licence LA09044L 2009.

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© Crown copyright. All rights reservedRenfrewshire Council O.S. licence LA09044L 2009.

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© Crown copyright. All rights reservedRenfrewshire Council O.S. licence LA09044L 2009.

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fOrMAKIN EStAtE

Off B789, Houston Road, Nr. Bishopton. (Robert Lorimer, 1903-14) Guided tours only 11.00 and 14.00. To book (limited to 20 each tour) please email pt@renfrewshire.gov.uk Leaflets and display of historic photographs. Meet in the car park prior to tours. Not suitable for other than able bodied. Wear stout footwear.

GLEDStANE PArK, tHE GOvAN CHAIrMAN

Gledstane Road, Bishopton.10.00 - 16.001893. Square Scottish villa with granite causs facing and honey stone mullions. Home of John McLaughlin, the GOVAN CHAIR MAN. See John’s fascinating collection of quirky hand carved chairs. A unique miniature chair will be the prize for the children’s activities.

ErSKINE HOME - rEID MACEWAN trAINING & CONfErENCE CENtrE

Reid MacEwen Training &Conference Centre,Open 10.00 - 16.00Erskine Home, off B815 at J1 of M898, Send off Erskine Bridge. (1856, Wiliam Burn) Heritage Lottery and Historic Scotland funded stable block, built in Tudor Gothic style in 1856 by William Burn to serve Erskine House. Impeccably restored and adapted to its current function as a training and conference centre by Mike and Sue Thornley. Also of interest is the contemporary octagonal Pigsty. Specially for Doors Open Day, there will be a

wedding fair during the day. Refreshments at the Garden Centre cafe.

INDIA Of INCHINNAN

Greenock Road (A8)Open 10.00 - 17.00 Guided tours (Wallis, Gilbert & Ptnrs 1929-30, rear block by Gordon Gibb, 2001) Art Deco office block to former tyre factory, wings added 1956, restored and new futuristic block added for Graham Technology plc. Café and Restaurant open.

INCHINNAN PArISH CHurCH

Old Greenock RoadOpen 10.00 - 16.00 (Miller and Black, 1966) A veritable gallery offine art salvaged from All Hallows’ Church (1899-1904), mostly given by the Campbells of Blythswood. Great sanctuary window by Charles Kemp; five fine windows by another hand with unusual use of perpective; Rose window of angels in glorious rainbow hues around mystic symbols of God. See also window in session house. Exhibition about the church and local history. Tours to All Hallows Graveyard, site of the former church demolished to make way for the Airport in 1965.

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rENfrEW OLD PArISH CHurCH Of SCOtLAND AND HALLS

High Street Renfrew, Halls - Glebe StreetOpen 10.00 - 13.00(John Rochead 1862) Lancet Gothic with beautiful broach spire. Chancel altered 1908 by P. MacGregor Chalmers. Inside two late medieval tombs. 19th early & late 20th Century stained glass. Large selection of 19th, early 20th and late 20th Century stained glass windows, including one ‘By the River of Babylon’, by Alexander Walker, 1896? Displays by all church organisations in hall, Glebe Street. Refreshments and home baking. rENfrEW tOWN HALL

Hairst Street/High Street RenfrewOpen 10.00 - 16.00 (James Lamb, 1871-73, rebuilt 1877 without mansard roof) Mixed French Gothic with sky piercing turretted tower and lofty halls within.

trINIty CHurCH

13 Paisley Road Open 10.00 - 14.00 (built 1865, radical alteration and enlargement 1903-4 by William D McLennan) Quaint Gothic church with spired belfry. Double transepts and new roof structure integrated with McLennan’s characteristic idiosyncracy, this is his earliest church architecture. (See also Eastgate Church and St Matthews Church of the Nazarene). Note carved winged animals on belfry, austere, Art Nouveau stained glass in vestibule doors and unique roof trusses.

rENfrEW COMMuNIty MuSEuM

41 Canal StreetOpen 10.00 - 16.00Early French Renaissance with Art Nouveau cupola, gift from Andrew Brown, three times Provost of Renfrew. Left of entry was library, now local history museum; right was a shop and upstairs, a reading room and panelled billiard room with great oriel window, (under restoration).

SATURDAYRENFREW

CLyDEbuILt

Braehead Shopping CentreKings Inch RoadOpen 10.00 - 17.30Clydebuilt tells the story of trade, ships and ship building on the Clyde. Special exhibition “The Clyde’s Navy” - Discover the history of the Navy on the Clyde in an interactive audio visual exhibition. Free entry for Doors Open Day. www.scottishmaritimemuseum.org. Look out for Zap Cat racing on the river.

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JOHNStONE HIGH PArISH CHurCH

Quarry Street, JohnstoneOpen 10.00 - 16.00, service 11.00 - 12.00(1792) On the axis of Church Street, elongated octagon with octagonal tower and needle spire added 1823. William Lang of Paisley. Session house 1824. Thoroughly Scots kirk interior remodelled by David Thomson 1875. Stained glass windows by Sadie McLennan

St JOHN’S EPISCOPAL CHurCH,

Floors Street, JohnstoneOpen 12.00 - 16.00(David Thomson, 1874 and 1878) Simple early pointed Gothic exterior, interior rich with colourful mosaic reredos and fine stained glass. Vestments on display.

JOHNStONE HIStOry MuSEuM

30 Napier Street (within Morrison’s Supermarket) Johnstone entrance at Napier Street or through covered walkway at Collier Street Open 10.00 - 16.00Established and run by the Johnstone History Society, funded by Heritage Lottery and hosted by Morrison’s Ltd, this new museum

of the town’s history opened in April this year. The museum contains archival material from two of the town’s best known firms - Wm. Paton Ltd and Clifton and Baird as well as other valuable material relating to other aspects of the town’s heritage. The Café in the supermarket is open all day.

JOHNStONE CAStLE

Tower Road, JohnstoneOpen 10.30 - 16.00(late 15th/early 16th C, altered 1771, N tower altered & raised 1812)Seat of the lairds of Johnstone from 1733, hugely extended in 1812, here Frederick Chopin was a bored guest in 1848. After use as HQ of a prisoner of war camp, it was shorn of the castellated wings in 1956, and left empty. New owners are now bravely restoring this much knocked about tower house to be their home. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

ELDErSLIE KIrK

284 Main Road, ElderslieOpen 13.00 -16.00(1840, 1885-86) Sturdy grey stone Gothic kirk with belfried gable front. Set of four stained glass windows ‘God’s Gifts to the Universe’ by Leslie McPhee, 1990, installed to mark the church’s 150th anniversary. Flowing abstract forms, with blues and whites. Refurbished in the 1950s, the church has light coloured African hardwood pews which give a brightness to the sanctuary. Organ music during the afternoon. refreshments and children’s activities.

EASt GAtE CHurCH

5 Glenpatrick Road, Elderslie (formerly East Elderslie Parish Church)Open 13.00 - 16.00 (service 10.45 - 12.15)(WD McLennan 1898-1900)The earliest of this idiosyncratic Paisley architect’s three red sandstone churches, Decorated Gothic with hint of Art Nouveau. Closed in 1977 and restored and reopened in 2001. Dramatic new stained glass window, ‘The Two Edged Sword’ (Hebrews 4:12) by Emma Butler-Cole Aiken, AMGP. Activities for children.

SUNDAYJOHNSTONE ELDERSL IE

Johnstone Guided Walks

Led by Derek Parker, the walks will investigate various aspects of Johnstone’s history. Each walk will take about one and a half hours. Please wear stout footwear, and be prepared for the weather!

11.00 - 12.30 approx - Historic Streets Why did the Laird of Johnstone keep it in the family when he named the streets of the town? To put it another way, who were the McDowalls, Houstons Walkinshaws and Rankins? Who were Anne, Russell, William and Napier who had streets named after them?

14.00 - 15.30 approx - Historic graveyard walk This walk will explore the amazing link between Houston Square in the town centre the city of Houston in Texas and uncle Sam the archetypal American. Then on to the cemetery of Johnstone High Parish Church where Derek will reveal many fascinating facts about people of note who helped make Johnstone a town to be proud of.

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HOuStON AND KILLELLAN KIrK

Kirk Road, HoustonOpen 10.00 - 16.00 (Service 11.00 - 12.00)(David Thomson, 1875) on site of older kirk. Effigies of Sir Patrick Houston and Lady Agnes Campbell 1456. Stained glass windows include from 1920s by Gordon Webster, Douglas Strachan, and 1950s by William Wilson. Book on church’s history on sale. Pulpit falls designed and sewn by church members on display. Activities for children. Refreshments and home baking. No wheelchair accessible toilet.

OLD KILALLAN PArISH CHurCH

Corsliehill Road, nr. Kilallan Road, 2 miles west of HoustonGuided Tour (ask at Houston & Kilellan Parish Church). Remote ruin of 1635 church with early gravestones.

StEEPLE HALL

Steeple Square, KilbarchanOpen 10.00 - 16.00(David Kerr 1755, rebuilt 1782) Designed as both meal market and school. The 1932 bronze copy of 1822 wooden statue by Archibald Robertson of Greenock of the village’s legendary piper Habbie Simpson stands in a niche on the tower.

KILbArCHAN OLD LIbrAry

High Barholm Open 10.00 - 16.00 Red sandstone former Liberal Club, then library, now restored by Kilbarchan Improvement Projects (KIPCo) as a vibrant community centre. Photographic exhibitions of old Kilbarchan, with interactive computer programme of photographs, identifying people in 1930s groups. Weather permitting, visit the garden landscaped by Carts Greenspace, with funding from a range of community environmental bodies. Refreshments.

KILbArCHAN WESt PArISH CHurCH

Church Street, KilbarchanOpen 12.00 - 16.00(Wiliam H Howie, 1899-1901) Spacious Gothic interior. A chance to hear the second best organ in the west of Scotland, and see six glass windows by various artists, four Edwardian and one by (?) James Wright (d 1947). Historical exhibition. Refreshments and home baking in the hall.

KILbArCHAN WESt CHurCH HALL

Church Street, KilbarchanOpen 12.00 - 16.00(James Baird 1724) Enlarged to T plan with tower in 1858 by Alexander Kirkland. Two of three galleries removed and floor raised after 1901. Six crow stepped gables. Fine stained glass - Munich. Door panels by John Cairney, 1850s. Cairney taught Cottier. Refreshments and home baking

KILbArCHAN EASt CHurCH

Steeple Square, KilbarchanOpen 12.00 - 16.00(James Brown, 1787-89, based on 1781 Castlehead Church Paisley, interior altered 1872-3 by Robert Baldie) Two stained glass windows, 1902, marking 60 year ministry of Rev George Alison. Organ recital.

SUNDAYHOUSTON KILBARCHAN

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HOWWOOD PArISH CHurCH

Beith RoadOpen 13.00 - 14.00Nave 1858, choir and trancepts1880s, hall 1911 and 1996. Modest Gothic church but with splendid stained glass, memorialising the laird and the mill owners. The two west side windows, 1858, gifted by the Harveys of Castle Semple, the main window for ‘a delightful daughter’ who died in 1871, bears her initials and perhaps her portrait among the children coming to Christ, recently restored. The windows to east, 1880s by W & JJ Kerr of Glasgow, to north and south, 1900’s by James Benson, commemorate three generations of McNabs.

LOCHWINNOCH PArISH CHurCH

Lochwinnoch Parish Church,Church St, LochwinnochOpen 13.00 - 16.00(Andrew of Kilbarchan 1806-08) Elongated octagonal plan behind high Doric porch below classical belfry, clock and spire. Interior little altered. Stained glass here and in Gothic church hall behind (1901).

CAStLE SEMPLE CENtrE

Lochlip Road LochwinnochTel: 01505 842 882Open Saturday and Sunday 12th and 13th, 10.00 - 17.00

SUNDAYHOWOOD LOCHWINNOCH

Tower Tours: visit the top of the Castle Semple Visitor Centre Tower and admire the views over Castle Semple Loch; tours on demand between 14.00 and 16.00. Special “now and then” exhibition. As part of the Homecoming Scotland 2009 programme, if you’re a Semple, “come and raise the flag” to show a Semple has come home. Exhibition on Castle Semple Estate, its history, heritage and changing landscapes on show all weekend.

Archaeology - Sunday onlyAt the Collegiate Church 1.5 miles from the Centre along NCR7, Renfrewshire Local History Forum’s archaeologists will be carrying out geophysical surveys and digging a midden nearby, probably related to the 18th century mansion house. The Forum will be displaying information about Renfrewshire’s castles at the Centre, and launching a new publication about the Castle Semple area.

St JOHN’S CHurCH

Johnshill LochwinnochOpen access(1729) Remnant of cross-planned church with birdcage belcote in graveyard at centre of the Auld Kirtoun - the original Lochwinnoch. Affectionately known as Auld Simon.

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As Paisley grew in the 18th and 19th centuries to be Scotland’s largest town, Oakshaw hill was the favoured site for the churches and schools serving the teaming town below. This left us a rich architectural legacy of no less than eight churches, three separate church halls and two school buildings. Together with the dome of the Observatory (11), their towers and spires rise from well wooded villa gardens and graveyards. This impressive urban landscape proclaims the pride of Paisley for miles around.

In the post war era, however, most of these public buildings became redundant and one by one were left empty. Oakshaw became run down. The District and Regional Councils set about regenerating the area in 1987 by restoring the streetscape and aiding conversions of listed buildings and development of gap sites with houses. Since then 11 churches, halls and schools have been restored and given new leases of life. The conversion of the former Moran’s Auction Rooms marks the end of a process which was begun in 1992 at the other end of the hill with the rebirth of the JNI school (13) as 13 maisonettes.

The number of dwellings has been increased by 350 per cent, two thirds of the new flats formed in converted listed buildings. About half the £3.3m public expenditure up to 2001 went into streetscape works, and a quarter each to the conversion of listed buildings and as grants to householders. This huge effort re-established Oakshaw as a desirable area, so that more recent conversions such as that of Moran’s have not depended on grants. The Council sees the town’s wonderful townscape as one of the chief assets for its regeneration. It has renewed the old floodlighting schemes of the Abbey (1), Town Hall (2), Arts Centre (4), Museum (7), St Matthews (3), Coats (9) and High (14) churches and the JNI (13), and added to these the new night time illumination of the Anchor Mill (32).

OAKSHAW’S RENAISSANCE

Moran’s Auction Rooms before

after

This year, it is hoped that as part of Doors Open Day and Scottish Archaeology Month, archaeologists from the University of Glasgow will be conducting an investigation around the modern manhole which is the present access to the Drain. Paisley Abbey's drain is almost unique in Britain, being in parts some1.5 to 2 metres in height, beautifully built of dressed ashlar blocks. The drain was rediscovered in 1990 when archaeologists from the GUARD (Glasgow University Archaeological Research Division) were directed to the modern manhole by Frank Snow, of the then Strathclyde Sewage Department. The drain was excavated of 2 feet (60 cm) of silt which contained some amazing finds. Fragments of pottery from several hundred vessels were recovered, along with a complete chamber pot (on display in Paisley Abbey sacristy). Work has been carried out this summer by Sabrina Gillman a post graduate student at Glasgow Uni, to catalogue and study this pottery. She has been assisted by many volunteers from Renfrewshire Local History Forum and Glasgow Archaeology Society.

Other finds included inscribed slates, buckles, lead seals, gaming pieces, and remains of more than one hundred and forty plants. Amongst these are food plants such as barley, wheat, onions, kale, imports such as mace and figs, and medicinal plants such as opium poppies, greater celandine and hemlock. The excavation's purpose is two-fold. First to provide information about the construction of the drain, and, it is hoped, help date the structure and reveal any earlier form of drain on the site. Second, to establish whether there is any valuable archaeology here which might preclude use of the area for any future permanent viewing facility. The archaeologists will be on site during Doors Open Day to explain their findings, and there will be an exhibition in Paisley Abbey providing more information about the drain.

Renfrewshire Council is very grateful to the University of Glasgow’s Archaeology Department, particularly Professor Steven Driscoll, Robert Will and Sabrina Gillman for their expertise and enthusiasm; the University of the West of Scotland, particularly Tony Grace of the School of Media, Language and Music for recording the dig and helping make it more widely known; Renfrewshire Local History Forum, particularly Andrew Eadie and Bruce Hendry for their unfailing support and enthusiasm; Frank Snow - the man who knew where the Drain was when the archaeologists couldn’t find it and who has kept his sense of excitement and ownership for nearly twenty years; and On Site Ltd, Acre Industrial and Scot Jet Ltd for their generous sponsorship of the dig.

PAISLEY ABBEY’S GREAT DRAIN

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© Crown copyright. All rights reserved Renfrewshire Council O.S. licence LA09044L 2009.

Many thanks to J.W. Goudie for their generosity in providing a limousine shuttle service on Saturday 12th in Paisley

rENfrEWSHIrE DOOrS OPEN DAy 2009

is organised by Renfrewshire Council’s Department of Planning & Transport. It forms part of European Heritage Days, an initiative of the Council of Europe. Scottish co-ordination is by the Scottish Civic Trust. For more information on Doors Open Days around the country look at www.doorsopendays.org.uk or call the Doors Open Day hotline 0141 248 1188.

For information on Scottish Archaeology Month see www.scottisharchaeology.org.ukOther Doors Open DaysWeekend 5th, 6th September - West Dunbartonshire, ClackmannanshireSun. 6th September only - Ayrshire, East Renfrewshire, East Fife

Weekend 12th 13th - Lanarkshire, FalkirkSat 12th only - East Dunbartonshire, Aberdeen City, MidlothianSun 13th only - Central Fife, East Lothian,

Weekend 19th, 20th - Glasgow, Loch Lomond & Trossachs, Dundee, Kintyre/Argyll and ButeSat 19th only - Scottish Borders - SelkirkSun 20th only - West Fife

Weekend 26th, 27th - Dumfries and Galloway, Edinburgh, Perth & KinrossSat 26th only - Perth & Kinross

Published by Planning & Transport Services, Designed by Renfrewshire Council Communications Team

www.renfrewshire.gov.uk

DOORS OPEN DAY WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT THE WHOLEHEARTED CO-OPERATION, ENTHUSIASM AND ASSISTANCE OF THE BUILDING OWNERS AND USERS THEMSELVES. MANY THANKS TO THEM ALL, FROM ALL OF US WHO ENJOY DOORS OPEN DAYPlease remember that visitors entering buildings do so at their own risk; neither the organisers, the sponsors nor participating building owners are responsible for any accidents or damages incurred.

Photography by Anne Dick, Jim Hermit and Renfrewshire Council.

B790

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Paisley

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A761

A73

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A737

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To Largs

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© Crown copyright. All rights reserved Renfrewshire Council O.S. licence LA09044L 2009.