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Tony Lawler: 33 Years at the Heart of Sma’ Shot Day
Today, on Sma’ Shot Day 2025, Paisley marks not just a proud tradition, but the end of an era. For the first time in over three decades,...
Gavin Divers
Jul 53 min read


Echoes of Paisley: Breathing Life into the Past
In every attic box, every faded print, and every corner of Paisley’s streets lies a memory, one that shaped this town, its people, and...
Gavin Divers
May 122 min read


Introducing Echoes of Paisley: A Living Archive of Our Town’s Story
Thanks to the generous support of our crowdfunder backers, we’re proud to announce something close to the heart — Echoes of Paisley. This...
Gavin Divers
May 112 min read


Purcell James Mansfield: A Musical Legacy in Paisley and Beyond
Paisley has long been a centre of cultural and musical excellence. Among the many figures who contributed to this rich tradition was...
Gavin Divers
Apr 193 min read


From Renfrew to Ruin: The Rise and Fall of the Lordship of the Isles
The story of Somerled did not end on the battlefield at Renfrew in 1164 . Though his body may have fallen near the banks of the Clyde,...
Gavin Divers
Apr 195 min read


Vikings in Renfrewshire: Myth or Memory?
Were the Vikings truly part of Renfrewshire's past — or are they simply shadows in our stories? While the image of longships sailing up...
Gavin Divers
Apr 194 min read


Inside Paisley Prison: A Forgotten Institution Reconstructed
Explore the hidden history of Paisley Prison with a detailed reconstruction based on a rare floor plan. Discover how Victorian ideals of justice, discipline, and reform shaped this forgotten institution in the heart of Renfrewshire.
Gavin Divers
Apr 193 min read


Brown & Polson: Paisley’s Legacy of Innovation and Industry
Tucked near the northern edge of the Gleniffer Braes — the “bonnie braes” once celebrated in Robert Tannahill’s poetry — lie the remains...
Gavin Divers
Apr 194 min read


The Witch Trials of Paisley: A Town’s Tragic Place in Scotland’s Darkest History
Discover the chilling history behind Paisley’s role in Scotland’s witch-hunting era — from the Bargarran witch trials to the memorial...
Gavin Divers
Mar 303 min read


The Battle of Renfrew (1164): Somerled’s Last Stand and the Fall of Norse-Gaelic Power in Scotland
The Battle of Renfrew in 1164 was more than just a medieval skirmish—it was a pivotal clash that changed the fate of Scotland’s western...
Gavin Divers
Mar 263 min read


When Hooves Ruled the Roads: Young’s Horse Bus in Paisley
Before the hum of engines and the clang of electric trams, Paisley’s streets echoed with the rhythmic clip-clop of hooves. Among the many...
Gavin Divers
Mar 183 min read


The Paisley Witch Trials: A Dark Chapter in Scottish History
Witchcraft trials were a widespread phenomenon across Europe and North America during the 16th and 17th centuries, resulting in the...
Gavin Divers
Mar 45 min read


Vanduara: The Mystery of Paisley's Roman Past
The historical identity of the Scottish town of Paisley as the ancient Roman site of "Vanduara" remains an intriguing and unresolved...
Gavin Divers
Feb 212 min read


Yankee Mags
For comic book enthusiasts, the modern comic shop is an essential cultural hub—a place to browse new releases, dig through back issues,...
Gavin Divers
Feb 204 min read


James Hutchison Cockburn
Early Life and Education James Hutchison Cockburn was born on 29 October 1882 in Paisley, Scotland, into a family that valued education...
Gavin Divers
Feb 204 min read


The Opening of Fountain Gardens in 1868: A Historic Milestone for Paisley
Paisley, a town renowned for its rich industrial heritage and thriving textile industry, witnessed a landmark event on 26 May 1868—the...
Gavin Divers
Feb 204 min read


The Man from Paisley Who Shaped Brazilian Football
Paisley’s Hidden Football Legacy Paisley has long been a town of innovation, industry, and cultural influence. Yet, one of its most...
Gavin Divers
Feb 144 min read


The Strange Case of the Paisley Poisoner: A Victorian Mystery
In the Mid-19th Century: A Crime That Shocked Paisley In the mid-19th century, the Scottish town of Paisley became the centre of a...
Gavin Divers
Feb 144 min read


Gilbert Smith: Paisley’s First Librarian and the Rediscovery of His Legacy
At the heart of Paisley’s rich industrial and cultural history lies the story of Gilbert Smith, a name long forgotten but now...
Gavin Divers
Feb 64 min read


Installation of the Art Deco Protective Angel atop the Russell Institute in Paisley
The Russell Institute in Paisley stands as one of the town’s most distinguished architectural landmarks, seamlessly blending Beaux-Arts...
Gavin Divers
Feb 64 min read
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