Paisley is a beautiful gem of a town. As “Scotland’s largest town,” it seems to offer it all! It is a cute place, with lots of history, and also plenty of attractions for locals and visitors alike. It is a place with a lot to offer and with relatively few visitors.
So, here’s a guide to preparing for a visit to Paisley, and a list of some of the most interesting attractions that it has to offer.
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These are the type of basic house cleaning things you should do before taking off on your journey to Paisley, Scotland.
See Them While You Can!
Paisley is a very historic town. It has roughly one thousand years of history under its belt. Of course, most of what was Paisley a millennium ago is no longer standing. The city has gone through many renovations. In fact, Paisley is currently doing a lot to protect its historic buildings.
There are lots that you should check out while you are there! These are historic buildings that are at risk that you should see while you still can. Take for example, the future of the Territorial Army Building is currently up for debate. Potential plans include making it into a large student housing complex.
If the plan goes forward, the facade would remain, but the majority of the rest of the building would be replaced. Because it was heavily damaged during a recent fire, something must be done!
Paisley is full of other historic buildings as well! This is just one example of a building whose fate is currently under debate. Many other buildings stem from the Industrial Revolution when Paisley experienced major expansions. Some of these buildings include Dooslan Stone, Anchor Mills from 1886, and the High Street Drill Hall of 1896.
A Memorial To Witches
Because Paisley is so old and historic, there are inevitably darker and less pleasant episodes included in its history. There is a memorial to one of these episodes, specifically to the Paisley Witch Hunts of 1697.
During these trials, the daughter of Laird of Bargarran accused over thirty people of tormenting her with witchcraft. After apparently developing such symptoms as flying and coughing up coals, seven people were convicted of witchcraft. In total, three men and four women were found guilty.
The town has since repented memorialized this incident. They have replaced the original golden horseshoes that sealed their remains with a new one. This one is emblazed with the words “Pain Inflicted, Suffering Endured, Injustice Done.”
This is a fascinating marker of historic events as it memorializes the last major witch hunt in Western Europe. Plus, it is a rare and beautiful thing for a community to look at their past and be able to celebrate the great and commemorate the less fortunate moments.
Blackhall Manor
The Blackhall Manor is the oldest building in Paisley. Dating all the way back to 11160, this building has seen a number of different uses. It was nearly demolished in 1978 but was luckily purchased in 1982 and fully restored as a private residence.
The Blackhall Manor is a gorgeous tower house, and it is actually just outside of Paisley in Renfrewshire. The first construction on the site was built by Norman knight Walter fitz Alan. By the sixteenth century, it became a place where barony courts were regularly held.
The tower appears to have been built in the 14th century. This is deduced by the presence of the fireplace jamb and the different types of windows in the tower’s staircase.