Preserving the Past: Paisley's Rich Tapestry of History Through Its Listed Buildings

Nestled in the heart of Scotland, Paisley stands as a silent testament to the country’s rich architectural and historical heritage. Known for its vibrant past which intertwines with the threads of Scottish history, Paisley holds the prestigious position of having the second-highest number of listed buildings in Scotland, second only to Edinburgh. This recognition is not just a testament to the town’s historical importance but also a commitment to preserving its unique character for future generations.

A Glimpse into Paisley’s Architectural Diversity

Category A Listings: National Treasures

Paisley is home to several Category A listed buildings, a designation reserved for structures of national or international importance. Among these are the iconic Paisley Abbey and the Coats Memorial Church, both of which offer breathtaking examples of historical architecture at its finest. The Abbey, with its origins dating back to the 12th century, continues to dominate the town’s skyline, telling tales of medieval Scotland. The Coats Memorial Church, known for its stunning Gothic Revival architecture, stands as a monument to the town's prosperous past in the textile industry.

The Heart of Paisley: Category B Listings

The bulk of Paisley’s listed buildings fall under Category B, indicating regional or more than local importance. These buildings include a mix of public edifices and private residences, showcasing a range of architectural styles from Victorian to Georgian. Notable among these is the Paisley Arts Centre, originally the Low Church, which now serves as a cultural hub for the community. Another significant structure is the Paisley Grammar School, including its boundary walls and gatepiers, which underscores the town's commitment to educational excellence through the centuries.

Name	Notes
Broomlands Street, Woodside Cemetery, Martyr's Monument (1 Of 2)	Category B
New Street, Paisley Arts Centre (Former Low Church)	Category B
12 New Street	Category B
51-55 Oakshaw Street	Category C(S)
57 Oakshaw Street	Category B
6 Oakshaw Street Moran's Auction Rooms (Former Oakshaw East U.F. Church)	Category B
20 Oakshaw Street, Former Gaelic Church	Category B
62, 64 Oakshaw Street Former Cameronian Church	Category C(S)
66, 68 Oakshaw Street Former Manse	Category C(S)
Orr Square Church Of Scotland	Category B
86, 88 Renfrew Road	Category B
94 Renfrew Road	Category B
6 St Mirren Street	Category B
14 Shuttle Street	Category C(S)
Stanely Road, Moredun Lodge	Category B
Glasgow Road, Paisley Grammar School Including Boundary Walls And Gatepiers Including Janitor's Lodge	Category B
70-116 (Even Nos) And 55-101 (Odd Nos) Falside Road, Workmen's Cottages	Category B
West End Cross, 2 Broomlands Street	Category B
11 Gauze Street Arnott's	Category B
10, 12 George Street	Category B
42 George Street, Paisley Technical College	Category B
7 Gilmour Street "Clydesdale Bank"	Category A
9 Gilmour Street	Category B
3-19 (Odd) Glasgow Road, Garthland Place	Category B
Gordon Street, Former Fire Station	Category B
Gordon Street / Johnston Street, St Matthew's Church Including Railings	Category A
Hawkhead Road, Hawkhead Hospital, Administration Block, Former Nurses Home, Wards 1-5, Boiler House And Mortuary, Laundry Block, Porter's Lodge, Waiting Room And Cottages	Category B
23 High Street, The Paisley Centre	Category B
28 High Street	Category B
26 Hunterhill Road And Gate Piers	Category B
46, 48 Love Street	Category C(S)
53 Moss Street	Category B
Neilston Road St Luke's Church	Category C(S)
Abbey Close "Alexander Wilson"	Category B
Abbey Close, Paisley Abbey	Category A
Alice Street "Rosebank"	Category B
Anchor Mills, Former Domestic Finishing Mill	Category A
Anchor Mills, Mile End Mill	Category A
5 Caledonia Street	Category B
Fountain At Angle Of Calside And Neilston Road	Category C(S)
43 Causeyside Street And 1 Johnston Street	Category B
20 Donaldswood Road, Blacklands Lodge And Gatepiers	Category B
Dunn Square "Dunn Fountain"	Category B
Ne Corner Of Falside Road And Braids Road, Brown And Polson Ltd	Category B
Former Ferguslie Thread Works, Bridge Lane Gatehouse	Category B
Former Ferguslie Thread Works, Tannahill's Bridge	Category C(S)
5-11 (Odd) Forbes Place	Category B
Nos 8, 10, 12 Forbes Place	Category B
Gauze Street George A Clark Town Hall	Category A
Leitchland Farm	Category C(S)
Auchenlodment House 136 Auchenlodment Road Elderslie	Category C(S)
Incle Street, St Mirin's Roman Catholic Cathedral With Boundary Walls And Piers	Category B
Thornly Park, 17 South Avenue, Foxburn Including Boundary Walls And Gatepiers	Category C(S)
Thornly Park, 19 South Avenue, Arthurlie	Category C(S)
Thornly Park, 10 Thornly Park Avenue, Glenarm Including Boundary Walls, Gatepiers And Gates	Category C(S)
215 Glasgow Road, Barshaw House	Category B
22 New Street	Category C(S)
10 Oakshaw Street	Category C(S)
12, 14 Oakshaw Street	Category C(S)
Underwood Road, Railway Viaduct	Category B
Park Road, Scotscraig	Category B
4, 6 Gilmour Street	Category B
1 Glasgow Road	Category C(S)
83, Glasgow Road Arthur Allison Memorial Hall	Category C(S)
4 Glen Street	Category C(S)
6, High Road, Castlehead	Category B
39 High Street And 5 New Street, Ymca	Category B
10, 10A And 12 High Street And 2 Moss Street	Category B
18 High Street	Category B
30 High Street	Category B
High Street, Coats Memorial Church	Category A
Inchinnan Road, Landmark Warehouse	Category B
Nos 17-25 (Odd) Lady Lane	Category B
Fountain Gardens Love Street Fountain	Category A
42, 44 Love Street	Category C(S)
69-83 (Odd) Maxwellton Road	Category B
Moredun Road "Crosbie"	Category A
1-5 (Odd) Moss Street	Category B
6 Moss Street/1 The Cross	Category B
Neilston Road, Royal Alexandra Infirmary	Category B
1-3 (Odd Nos) Causeyside Street And 21 Forbes Place	Category B
Church Hill Former Middle Church Hall	Category C(S)
1-5 (Odd) County Place, 15 Gilmour Street And 20 Moss Street	Category B
Elderslie Kirk (West), 284 Main Road, Elderslie	Category C(S)
Ralston Golf Clubhouse, Strathmore Ave., Ralston, Paisley	Category C(S)
Caplethill Road, Thorscrag Including Ancillary Structure	Category B
Thornly Park, 43 Thornly Park Avenue, Airdoch Including Boundary Walls, Gatepiers And Gates	Category C(S)
19 Park Road, Makerston House, Including Outbuilding, Gatepiers And Walls To Street	Category C(S)
15 And 17 Marshall's Lane And Cart Walk, Kelvin House	Category C(S)
21 Stonefield Avenue, Littlecroft	Category B
91, 93 New Sneddon Street "Adelphi House"	Category B
19 Oakshaw Street, Paisley High Church Halls	Category B
35 Oakshaw Street	Category B
49 Oakshaw Street, Coats Observatory	Category A
6A Oakshaw Street (Former Church Hall)	Category B
60 Oakshaw Street	Category B
Queen Street Tannahill's Cottage	Category B
92 Renfrew Road	Category B
St James Street Procurator Fiscal's Office	Category B
Stanely Road "Sanctuary House"	Category B
Abbeymill, Former Anchor Mills, Seedhill Footbridge And Gate	Category B
11-17 (Odd Nos) George Place	Category C(S)
6, 8 George Street	Category B
3 Gilmour Street "Bank Of Scotland"	Category B
8 Glasgow Road	Category C(S)
High Street, Museum, Art Gallery And Library	Category A
52 Love Street	Category B
Broomlands Martyrs Church	Category B
18-22 (Evens) Causeyside	Category B
Church Hill, Former Grammar School	Category B
Church Hill Christian Social Action Centre	Category A
The Cross, War Memorial	Category A
Dunn Square, Queen Victoria Monument	Category B
Dunn Square, "Sir Peter Coats"	Category B
38 Ferguslie Former Stables And Gatepiers To Ferguslie Gardens	Category B
"West Lodge", (Of Former Ralston House,) 226 Glasgow Road, Ralston	Category B
The Wallace Monument, At No. 243 Main Road, Elderslie	Category B
East Buchanan Street, Cathedral House And St Mirin's Old Academy	Category C(S)
50 High Street And 1 Orr Square	Category C(S)
Penilee Road, Paisley Grammar School, Penilee Sports Pavilion	Category A
North Croft Street, Wallneuk Church	Category B
16 Oakshaw Street	Category C(S)
6 Orr Square	Category B
90 Renfrew Road	Category B
St James Street Sheriff Court House	Category A
10 St Mirren Street	Category C(S)
School Wynd St John's Church (C Of S)	Category B
6, 8 Smithhills Street	Category B
Stevenson Street, "Spiersfield" (Excluding Modern Extensions)	Category B
Stanely Reservoir Stanely Castle	Category B
Station Road Former Stable Block, And Gatepiers Ferguslie Mills	Category C(S)
Glasgow Road Sherwood Church	Category B
Hawkhead House Farm Steading Excluding Later Additions	Category B
Hawkhead Road, Hawkhead Hospital, Wards 7 And 8	Category A
Hawkhead Road, Ross House	Category B
20 High Street Masonic Hall	Category B
24 High Street	Category B
76 High Street Territorial Army Centre	Category B
Lonend, Watermill Hotel	Category C(S)
Fountain Gardens, Love Street: Burns Statue	Category B
Abbey Bridge	Category B
Abbey Close "Robert Tannahill"	Category B
Off Barrhead Road Blackhall Manor House	Category B
Blackstoun Road Former Glencoats Hospital East Lodge Including Gatepiers And Railings	Category B
Park Road, St Margaret's (Former Hospital)	Category B
45-47 (Odd Nos) Causeyside Street And Johnston Street	Category B
Causeyside Street, Russell Institute	Category A
Dunn Square, "Thomas Coats"	Category B
13-15 (Odd) Forbes Place	Category B
Thornly Park, 9 South Avenue, Holmhurst Including Terrace Wall	Category B
Thornly Park, 29 Thornly Park Avenue, Lismore Including Arch And Gatepeirs	Category C(S)
Thornly Park, 33 Thornly Park Avenue Including Boundary Walls, Gatepiers And Gates	Category C(S)
6 And 8 High Street, Burton's	Category B
Blackhall Lane, Blackhall House	Category C(S)
Renfrew Road, Abercorn School, Including Entrance Steps And Railings	Category C(S)
4 Sandholes Street	Category C(S)
7 New Street The Bull Inn	Category A
38, 40 Oakshaw Street	Category C(S)
7, 9 Orr Square	Category B
15 School Wynd	Category B
Storie Street Paisley College Of Technology, Hugh Smiley Annexe Formerly Hugh Smiley Day Nursery	Category B
Underwood Road St James Church	Category B
Walker Street Former Baptist Church	Category C(S)
Greenhill Road, Four Square Tobacco Factory	Category B
Cyril Street, Violet Street, Ralston Uf Church	Category B
3-9 (Odd) Gauze Street Methodist Central Halls And Shops To Ground	Category B
5 George Place	Category B
Glasgow Road Barshaw Park Gatepiers And Gates	Category C(S)
7-9 (Odd) King Street And Sandholes Street "Hayweighs"	Category B
30 Mansion House Road, Greenlaw House	Category B
Acer Crescent Balgonie	Category B
Mile End Mill Chimney Stack	Category B
Ardgowan Avenue Hunterhill House	Category B
20, 22 Back Sneddon Street And 13 Maxwell Street	Category B
Broomlands Street, Woodside Cemetery, Martyrs Memorial	Category C(S)
46 Broomlands Street, Woodside Crematorium	Category B
7 Caledonia Street	Category C(S)
25-29 (Odd) Causeyside And 2 Forbes Place Paisley Co-Op	Category B
4 Dyers Wynd, Good Templar Halls And Terrace Buildings	Category B
Dykebar Hospital Excluding Modern Additions	Category B
Former Ferguslie Thread Works, Counting House	Category B
Thornly Park, 23 South Avenue, The Gables	Category B
Thornly Park, 12 And 12A Thornly Park Avenue, Thorncroft Including Boundary Walls And Gatepiers	Category B
Thornly Park 22 Thornly Park Avenue, Monimail Including Boundary Walls And Gatepiers	Category C(S)
5 And 7 West Paisley Brae, Paisley	Category B
Manor Park Avenue, Newark House	Category B
96 Causeyside Street	Category B
Glenpatrick Road, Elderslie, East Church	Category C(S)
58 Stock Street And Espedair Street, Monty's Snooker Hall (Former Bath House)	Category B
26 New Street, Conservative Club	Category B
40 New Sneddon Street	Category B
Oakshawhead Former John Neilson Institution And Entrance Lodge	Category A
18 Oakshaw Street	Category C(S)
42, 44 Oakshaw Street	Category B
56 Oakshaw Street, Peter Brough District Nurses' Home	Category B
72, 74 Oakshaw	Category C(S)
121 Renfrew Road	Category B
13 School Wynd, Oakshaw	Category C(S)
Stanely Road "Middle Park"	Category C(S)
Stanely Road "Moredun"	Category B
Anchor Buildings, Seedhill With Railings	Category B
25 Gauze Street	Category B
27 Gauze Street	Category C(S)
29-31 (Odd) Gauze Street	Category B
14 George Street St George's Church Of Scotland	Category B
10, 12 Glasgow Road	Category B
Gleniffer Road Macdonald's Fountain	Category B
Lounsdale Road Ciba-Geigy Social Club	Category B
7 Moss Street	Category B
49, 51 Moss Street	Category B
28 Arkleston Road	Category C(S)
51 Causeyside Street	Category B
Dunn Square	Category B
15-19 (Odd) Espedair Street	Category B
Ferguslie Threadworks, Stables And Store On Glasgow, Paisley And Johnstone Canal	Category C(S)
Thornly Park, 17 Thornly Park Avenue, Dunard Including Boundary Walls And Gatepiers	Category B
Thornly Park, 2 Thornly Park Avenue, Thornly Park House	Category C(S)
Thornly Park, 24 Thornly Park Avenue, Garail Including Ancillary Structure, Garden Wall And Gate	Category C(S)
17 George Street, New Jerusalem Church (Swedenborgian Church)	Category C(S)
Aqueduct, Blackhall	Category B
25-31 (Odd Nos) Weighhouse Close, New Street	Category B
20 New Street	Category B
8 Oakshaw Street	Category C(S)
Gateway To No 46 Oakshaw Street	Category C(S)
98-100 Renfrew Road	Category B
4 St Mirren Street	Category B
8 St Mirren Street	Category B
82 Stanely Road "Whiteleigh"	Category B
68 Falside Road, Formerly Brown And Polson Worker`S Institute	Category B
23 Gauze Street	Category C(S)
26 High Street	Category B
Love Street, Lodges To Fountain Gardens	Category C(S)
32 Love Street	Category B
34, 36 (Evens) Love Street	Category C(S)
14 Main Road Castlehead "The Old House"	Category B
8-10 Moss Street	Category C(S)
Blackhall Railway Viaduct Over White Cart Water	Category A
Brediland Road Lounsdale House	Category B
8-10 Broomlands Street	Category B
Castlehead, Main Road, Castlehead Church, Tannahill's Monument	Category B
Nos 14-20 (Even) Forbes Place	Category B
Gauze Street George A Clark Statue	Category B
"East Lodge", Darvel Crescent, Ralston, Paisley	Category C(S)
Leethland Glenpatrick Road	Category C(S)
Thornly Park, Stewart Road, Linton Including Terrace Wall	Category B
19 Lawn Street, Abbey Mission Hall	Category C(S)
5 Mansionhouse Road	Category C(S)
15 Abercorn Street, Former Oldfield's Machine Tools Warehouse	Category C(S)
Hawkhead House Farm, Farmhouse	Category C(S)
Cartside Mill Office Block, Milliken Park, Kilbarchan	Category B
4 New Street	Category C(S)
96 Renfrew Road	Category C(S)
St James' Bridge	Category B
2 St Mirren Street	Category B
Stanely Crescent, Stanely House	Category B
42 New Street	Category C(S)
Abbeymill, Former Anchor Mills, Seedhill Gate House Including Gatepiers And Railings	Category B
167 George St St Mary's Church (Rc)	Category B
Greenlaw Avenue Greenlaw Church	Category B
41 High Street And 2 New Street	Category C(S)
32 High Street Liberal Club	Category C(S)
12 Main Road Castlehead The Mound	Category B
38 Mansion House Road, Garage	Category B
85 Maxwellton Road	Category B
68 Maxwellton Road	Category B
Abbey Close Place Of Paisley	Category A
Anchor Mills, Former No 1 Embroidery Mill	Category B
Blackhall Street Anchor Recreation Club	Category B
Castlehead, Main Road, Castlehead Church (Church Of Scotland) With Graveyard	Category C(S)
33 Causeyside Street And 1 Orchard Street	Category B
49 Causeyside Street	Category C(S)
Church Hill And Oakshaw Street, High Church	Category A
County Square, Gilmour Street Railway Station	Category B
County Square, Head Post Office	Category B
Former Ferguslie Thread Works, North Gatehouse And Gates	Category B
Former Ferguslie Thread Works, Tannahill's Hole	Category C(S)
27 Ferguslie And 78 Maxwellton Road	Category B
Nos 4 And 6 Forbes Place	Category C(S)
Thornly Park,11 South Avenue, Wilmar Including Gates	Category C(S)
Thornly Park, 31 Thornly Park Avenue, Ardyne Including Gates	Category B
Key[edit]
The scheme for classifying buildings in Scotland is:
Category A: "buildings of national or international importance, either architectural or historic; or fine, little-altered examples of some particular period, style or building type."[1]
Category B: "buildings of regional or more than local importance; or major examples of some particular period, style or building type, which may have been altered."[1]
Category C: "buildings of local importance; lesser examples of any period, style, or building type, as originally constructed or moderately altered; and simple traditional buildings which group well with other listed buildings."[1]
In March 2016 there were 47,288 listed buildings in Scotland. Of these, 8% were Category A, and 50% were Category B, with the remaining 42% being Category C.[2]

Category C Listings: Local Significance

Category C listings in Paisley, while of local importance, contribute significantly to the town's architectural ensemble. These include various residential buildings and smaller commercial structures that offer a glimpse into the everyday lives of Paisley’s citizens over the decades. Buildings like the simple yet charming worker’s cottages on Falside Road provide a snapshot of the town’s industrial era.

Preserving Paisley’s Heritage

The preservation of these structures is crucial not only for their historical and architectural value but also for the role they play in educating future generations. Each building tells a unique story of the era it was built in, the people who inhabited it, and the events that unfolded around it. Preservation efforts ensure that these stories remain alive and continue to inspire curiosity about Paisley's past.

Challenges and Future Directions

Maintaining these historical edifices presents significant challenges, primarily due to the financial and logistical demands of restoration projects. However, the benefits of such endeavours are manifold, contributing to community pride, tourism, and educational projects. Looking forward, Paisley can leverage its rich architectural heritage to boost cultural tourism, engaging both locals and visitors in the ongoing story of this historic town.

In conclusion, Paisley’s impressive collection of listed buildings is more than just an architectural feat; it is a living museum, a source of community identity, and a continuous inspiration for preserving the unique narratives woven into the fabric of the town. As Paisley looks to the future, it carries forward the legacy of its past, ensuring that its historical landscape continues to enrich the cultural tapestry of Scotland.