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{{Short description|Town in the west central Lowlands of Scotland}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2012}}
{{Infobox UK place
| official_name = Paisley
| type = Town
| scots_name = Paisley
| gaelic_name = Pàislig
| country = Scotland
| population = 79,369
| population_ref = <ref>Paisley (Renfrewshire, Scotland, United Kingdom) - Population Statistics, Charts, Map, Location, Weather and Web Information. (2022). Citypopulation.de. https://citypopulation.de/en/uk/scotland/renfrewshire/S52000504__paisley/</ref> (2022)
| population_density =
| os_grid_reference = NS485635
| edinburgh_distance = {{cvt|49|mi|km}} [[Boxing the compass|E]]
| coordinates = {{coord|55|50|44|N|04|25|26|W|display=inline,title}}
| post_town = PAISLEY
| postcode_area = PA
| postcode_district = PA1 – PA3
| dial_code = 0141 & 01505
| constituency_westminster = [[Paisley and Renfrewshire North (UK Parliament constituency)|Paisley and Renfrewshire North]]
| constituency_westminster1 = [[Paisley and Renfrewshire South (UK Parliament constituency)|Paisley and Renfrewshire South]]
| unitary_scotland = [[Renfrewshire]]
| lieutenancy_scotland = [[Renfrewshire (historic)|Renfrewshire]]
| constituency_scottish_parliament = [[Paisley (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Paisley]] <br />
[[West Scotland (Scottish Parliament electoral region)|West Scotland]]
| static_image_name = {{multiple image
| border = infobox
| total_width = 280
| image_style = border:1;
| perrow = 1/2/2/2
| image1 = View of Paisley from Saucelhill Park, Renfrewshire.jpg
| caption1 = Skyline of Paisley, with the Anchor Mills (centre)
| image2 = Paisley War Memorial.JPG
| caption2 = [[Paisley War Memorial|War Memorial]]
| image3 = Fountain Gardens - geograph.org.uk - 5778606.jpg
| caption3 = [[Fountain Gardens, Paisley|Fountain Gardens]]
| image4 = The Russell Institute, Paisley - geograph.org.uk - 1705144.jpg
| caption4 = [[Russell Institute]]
| image5 = Anchor Mills, Paisley - geograph.org.uk - 4832093.jpg
| caption5 = Anchor Mills
}}
| website = {{url|paisley.org.uk}}
}}
'''Paisley''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|p|eɪ|z|l|i}} {{respell|PAYZ|lee}}; {{langx|sco|Paisley}}; {{langx|gd|Pàislig}} {{IPA|gd|ˈpʰaːʃlɪkʲ|}}) is a large town situated in the west [[central Lowlands]] of [[Scotland]]. Located north of the [[Gleniffer Braes]] and immediately west of [[Glasgow]], it straddles the banks of the [[White Cart Water]], a tributary of the [[River Clyde]]. It serves as the [[administrative centre]] for the [[Renfrewshire]] [[council areas of Scotland|council area]], and is the largest town in the [[counties of Scotland|historic county]] of the [[Renfrewshire (historic)|same name]]. It is often cited as "Scotland's largest town" and is the [[List of towns and cities in Scotland by population|fifth largest settlement in the country]], although it does not have city status.
The town became prominent in the 12th century, with the establishment of [[Paisley Abbey]], an important religious hub which formerly had control over other local churches. Paisley expanded significantly during the [[Industrial Revolution]] as a result of its ___location beside White Cart Water, with access to the Clyde and nearby ore, mineral and agricultural resources. Factories and mills developed leading to an increase in the town's population. The town's associations with political [[Radicalism (historical)|radicalism]] were highlighted by its involvement in the [[Radical War]] of 1820, with striking weavers being instrumental in the protests.
By the late 19th century, Paisley was a global centre of the [[weaving]] industry, giving its name to the [[Paisley shawl]] and the [[Paisley (design)|Paisley pattern]]. However, industrial decline followed in the 20th century. By 1993, all of Paisley's mills had closed, although they are memorialised in the town's museums and civic history.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.scottish-places.info/scotgaz/towns/townfirst383.html |title=Paisley |access-date=27 May 2013 |archive-date=24 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130724235048/http://www.scottish-places.info/scotgaz/towns/townfirst383.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The town now functions as a regional centre for local governance and services as well as a residential commuting area within the [[Greater Glasgow]] urban region.
==History==
===Early history===
[[File:Coates Memorial Church, Paisley, Scotland LOC 3449508871.jpg|thumb|[[Coats Paisley|Thomas Coats Memorial Baptist Church]], Paisley, Scotland, ca. 1890–1900.]]
Formerly and variously known as ''Paislay'',<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.asp?compid=47680 |title=Extracts from the records – 1588 | British History Online |publisher=British-history.ac.uk |date=22 June 2003 |access-date=10 May 2007 |archive-date=12 June 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070612032038/http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.asp?compid=47680 |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Passelet'', ''Passeleth'', and ''Passelay''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/descriptions/entry_page.jsp?text_id=135820 |title=Paisley | As described in F.H. Groome's Ordnance Gazetteer of Scotland (1882–4) |publisher=Visionofbritain.org.uk |access-date=23 December 2011 |archive-date=19 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019132011/http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/descriptions/entry_page.jsp?text_id=135820 |url-status=live }}</ref> the burgh's name is of uncertain origin; some sources suggest a derivation either from the [[Brittonic languages|Brittonic]] word ''pasgill'', "pasture", or from the [[Cumbric]] ''basaleg'', "basilica", (i.e. major church), derived from the [[Greek language|Greek]] βασιλική ''basilika''. Some Scottish placename books suggest "Pæssa's wood/clearing", from the Old English personal name ''Pæssa'', "clearing", and ''leāh'', "wood". Pasilege (1182) and Paslie (1214) are recorded previous spellings of the name. The Gaelic translation is ''Pàislig''.
It is worth noting that some sources favour the name of the town as having its roots in the [[Middle Irish|Gaelic]] word ''Baisleac'', which is, like the Cumbric ''basaleg'', derived from ''basilika''.<ref>{{Cite book |last=James |first=Alan |url=https://spns.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Alan_James_Brittonic_Language_in_the_Old_North_BLITON_Volume_II_Dictionary_2019_Edition.pdf |title=The Brittonic Language in the Old North: Volume 2 |date=2019 |page=25 |access-date=27 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191015200623/https://spns.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Alan_James_Brittonic_Language_in_the_Old_North_BLITON_Volume_II_Dictionary_2019_Edition.pdf |archive-date=15 October 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> As Paisley was part of the Cumbric speaking [[Kingdom of Strathclyde]], before being absorbed into the Gaelic speaking [[Kingdom of Alba]] in the 11th century, and with Cumbric being considered extinct by the 12th century, it is uncertain whether the name of Paisley is of Cumbric or Gaelic origin, due to the linguistic shift that occurred around this time.
The Roman name for Paisley was Vanduara.<ref name="Sturrock">{{cite journal |last1=Sturrock |first1=J.R. |title=Vanduara, or Roman Paisley |journal=The Antiquary |date=December 1906 |volume=2 |issue=12 |pages=458–460 |url=https://www.proquest.com/openview/fce3e25494627a0a/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=3029 |access-date=25 September 2021 |quote=One of these (Roman) encampments was on Oakshawhill, which is the very heart of modern Paisley |archive-date=25 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210925132152/https://www.proquest.com/openview/fce3e25494627a0a/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=3029 |url-status=live }}</ref>
Paisley has monastic origins. A chapel is said to have been established by the 6th / 7th-century Irish monk, [[Saint Mirin]], at a site near a waterfall on the White Cart Water known as the Hammils. Though Paisley lacks contemporary documentation it may have been, along with [[Glasgow]] and [[Govan]], a major religious centre of the [[Kingdom of Strathclyde]]. A priory was established in 1163 from the [[Cluny Abbey|Cluniac]] [[priory]] at [[Wenlock Priory|Wenlock]] in Shropshire, England at the behest of [[Walter fitz Alan, Steward of Scotland]] (died 1177). In 1245 this was raised to the status of an abbey. The restored [[Abbey]] and adjacent 'Place' (palace), constructed out of part of the medieval claustral buildings, survive as a [[Church of Scotland]] parish church. One of Scotland's major religious houses, [[Paisley Abbey]] was much favoured by the [[Bruce]] and [[Clan Stewart|Stewart]] royal families. King [[Robert III of Scotland|Robert III]] (1390–1406) was buried in the Abbey. His tomb has not survived, but that of Princess [[Marjorie Bruce]] (1296–1316), ancestor of the Stewarts, is one of [[Scotland]]'s few royal monuments to survive the [[Scottish Reformation|Reformation]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theurbanhistorian.co.uk/the-tomb-of-marjory-bruce/|title=The Tomb of Marjory Bruce|date=8 May 2020 |publisher=The Urban Historian|access-date=24 October 2022}}</ref>
Paisley coalesced under [[James II of Scotland|James II]]'s wish that the lands should become a single regality and, as a result, markets, trading and commerce began to flourish. In 1488 the town's status was raised by [[James IV of Scotland|James IV]] to [[Burgh of barony]]. Many trades sprang up and the first school was established in 1577 by the Town Council.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/stream/historypaisleyg00scotgoog/historypaisleyg00scotgoog_djvu.txt|title=The history of the Paisley Grammar School, from its foundation in 1576; of the Paisley Grammar School and Academy and of the other town's schools|first=Robert|last=Brown|publisher=Alex Gardner|year=1875}}</ref>
===
The [[Paisley witches]], also known as the Bargarran witches or the Renfrewshire witches, were tried in Paisley in 1697. Seven were convicted and five were hanged and then burnt on the Gallow Green. Their remains were buried at Maxwelton Cross in the west end of the town. This was the last mass execution for witchcraft in western Europe.<ref>Isabel Adam, ''Witch hunt: The Great Scottish Witchcraft Trials of 1697'' (1978)</ref> A horse shoe was placed on top of the site to lock in the evil. A horse shoe is still visible in the middle of this busy road junction today—though not the original. The modern shoe is made of bronze and bears the inscription, "Pain Inflicted, Suffering Endured, Injustice Done".<ref>{{cite web |last=Pieraccini |first=Piero |title=Help Needed lucky Horseshoe missing |publisher=Paisley Development Trust |date=2 June 2010 |url=http://www.paisley.org.uk/2010/06/help-needed-lucky-horseshoe-missing/ |access-date=2 December 2013 |archive-date=3 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203052059/http://www.paisley.org.uk/2010/06/help-needed-lucky-horseshoe-missing/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
===18th and 19th centuries===
====Industrial Revolution====
[[File:Anchor Mills, former domestic finishing mill, Paisley.jpg|thumb|The Anchor Mills (1886) – a remnant of Paisley's Victorian industrial heritage.]]
The [[Industrial Revolution]], based on the textile industry, turned Paisley from a small market town to an important industrial town in the late 18th century. Initially beginning with small scale weaving (as took place at the Sma’ Shot cottages located in Shuttle Street), Paisley's ___location and workforce attracted English mill owners; migrants from [[Ayrshire]] and the Highlands poured into a town that offered jobs to women and children until silk fell out of fashion in 1790.<ref>Kimberly Chrisman Campbell, "Paisley Before the Shawl: The Scottish Silk Gauze Industry", ''Textile History'' (2002) 33#2 pp 162–176</ref> The mills switched to the imitation Kashmir (cashmere) [[shawl]]s called "Paisley". Under the leadership of [[Thomas Coats]] (1809–1893), Paisley became the world centre for thread making. Mills and textile factories grew from the late 18th century, coming to dominate the town in the late [[Victorian era]]. These include the Anchor and Seedhill mills, as well as the adjacent Atlantic, Pacific and Mile End mills.<ref>{{Historic Environment Scotland |cat=PLA |num=79683 |num2=NS46SE 62.2 |desc=Paisley, Anchor Thread Works, Domestic Finishing Mill |access-date=19 June 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Historic Environment Scotland |cat=PLA |num=123665 |num2=NS46SE 62.5 |desc=Paisley, Atlantic And Pacific Mills |access-date=19 June 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Historic Environment Scotland |cat=PLA |num=79684 |num2=NS46SE 62.3 |desc=Paisley, Anchor Thread Works, Mile End Mill |access-date=19 June 2025}}</ref> Another example was Underwood Mill, a [[cotton]] mill founded in the 1780s which was later rebuilt as a thread mill in the 1860s (it fell into disuse in the 1970s).<ref>{{Historic Environment Scotland |cat=PLA |num=43192 |num2=NS46SE 63 |desc=Paisley, Underwood Road, Underwood Mill |access-date=19 June 2025}}</ref> Other thread mills include Oakshaw thread works (later used by [[Arrol-Johnston]] car manufacturers) and the Burnside thread works.<ref>{{Historic Environment Scotland |cat=PLA |num=315470 |num2=NS46SE 631 |desc=Paisley, Oakshaw, Former Thread Works |access-date=19 June 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Historic Environment Scotland |cat=PLA|num= 79565 |num2=NS46SE 83 |desc=Paisley, Burnside Thread Works |access-date=19 June 2025}}</ref>
==== Origins of Paisley Shawls ====
By the mid-19th century weaving had become the town's principal industry. The Paisley weavers' most famous products were the shawls, which bore the [[Paisley (design)|Paisley Pattern]] made fashionable after being worn by a young [[Queen Victoria]]. Despite being of a [[Kashmir]]i design and manufactured in other parts of Europe, the teardrop-like pattern soon became known by Paisley's name across the western world.<ref name="renfrewshire1">{{cite web |url=http://www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/ilwwcm/publishing.nsf/Content/els-jh-TextileIndustry |title=Renfrewshire Community Website – Textile industry |publisher=Renfrewshire.gov.uk |date=11 September 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110315024436/http://www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/ilwwcm/publishing.nsf/Content/els-jh-TextileIndustry |archive-date=15 March 2011 |df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.victoriana.com/library/paisley/shawl.html |title=Beyond the Fringe: Shawls of Paisley Design |last=Andrews |first=Meg |website=victoriana.com |access-date=11 February 2010 |archive-date=16 February 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080216001719/http://www.victoriana.com/library/paisley/shawl.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Although the shawls dropped out of fashion in the 1870s, the Paisley pattern remains an important symbol of the town: the Paisley Museum maintains a significant collection of the original shawls in this design, and it has been used, for example, in the modern logo of [[Renfrewshire Council]], the local authority.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/ilwwcm/publishing.nsf/content/els-jcp-shawlscollection |title=Renfrewshire Community Website – Textiles |publisher=Renfrewshire.gov.uk |date=5 May 2005 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120805151939/http://www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/ilwwcm/publishing.nsf/content/els-jcp-shawlscollection |archive-date=5 August 2012 |df=dmy-all}}</ref>
[[File:Paisley Pattern - geograph.org.uk - 1336667.jpg|thumb|left|[[Paisley Pattern]] flowerbed display in Dunn Square]]
According to Monique Lévi-Strauss,<ref>{{Cite book |last=Lévi-Strauss |first=Monique |title=Cachemires |publisher=Adam Biro |year=1987 |isbn=2-87660-000-5 |___location=Paris |pages=7, 9, 43, 48}}</ref> information<ref>{{cite web | url=https://kashmirlife.net/books-on-kashmiri-handicrafts-54212/ | title=Books on Kashmiri handicrafts | date=21 May 2011 }}</ref> on the history of Kashmir shawls'<ref>{{Cite web| title=Befitting the Mughal ‘Eternal Spring’: The Nascent Buta Pattern in Kashmir Shawls | url=https://studenttheses.universiteitleiden.nl/access/item:2701618/view | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231226015314/https://studenttheses.universiteitleiden.nl/access/item:2701618/view | archive-date=2023-12-26}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Choudhury |first1=Suchitra |title=Indian shawls in nineteenth-century Britain: A fashionable proposition? |journal=The Indian Economic & Social History Review |date=April 2023 |volume=60 |issue=2 |pages=185–206 |doi=10.1177/00194646231165804 |s2cid=259112827 }}</ref> weaving techniques had been described in books, but in a very unintelligible language. John Irwin<ref>{{cite web | url=https://whowaswho-indology.info/2726/irwin-john-conran/ | title=IRWIN, John – Persons of Indian Studies by Prof. Dr. Klaus Karttunen | date=14 February 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/obituary-john-irwin-1280546.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220524/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/obituary-john-irwin-1280546.html |archive-date=24 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Obituary: In 1955 John Irwin |last=Irwin |first=John |date=1997 |website=INDEPENDENT}}</ref> published a book named Shawls,<ref>{{Cite book
|url=https://archive.org/details/shawlsstudyinind0000john
|last=Irwin |first=John |title=Shawls, a Study in Indo-European Influences |year=1955 |___location=London}}</ref> a Study in Indo-European Influences, in 1955,<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Maskiell |first1=Michelle |title=Consuming Kashmir: Shawls and Empires, 1500-2000 |journal=Journal of World History |date=2002 |volume=13 |issue=1 |pages=27–65 |doi=10.1353/jwh.2002.0019 |jstor=20078943 |s2cid=144868279 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Hart |first1=Joan |title=Kashmir Shawls: The Perfect Exemplar of a Textile Shaping and Being Shaped |journal=Textile Society of America Symposium Proceedings |date=2016 |url=https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/tsaconf/1020/ }}</ref> in which he relates the Kashmir shawl's history and how these shawls spread on the European market during the 19th century.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://shiftjournal.org/seam/shawls/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220126111227/https://shiftjournal.org/seam/shawls/ | archive-date=26 January 2022 | title="LIKELY TO CONTINUE AS FASHIONABLE AS EVER": KASHMIRI SHAWLS, LUXURY, AND THE BRITISH EMPIRE | Shift }}</ref> The book showed images of shawls<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Hiner |first1=Susan |title=Lust for Luxe : 'Cashmere Fever' in Nineteenth-Century France |journal=Journal for Early Modern Cultural Studies |date=2005 |volume=5 |issue=1 |pages=76–98 |id={{Project MUSE|182707}} }}</ref> woven in India and also fifteen images of shawls woven in United Kingdom, amongst which is one assigned to a Paisley manufacture, circa 1850. But according to Monique Lévi-Strauss, it resembles by many details a shawl designed by a French<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Dolan |first1=Therese |title=Fringe Benefits: Manet's Olympia and Her Shawl |journal=The Art Bulletin |date=2 October 2015 |volume=97 |issue=4 |pages=409–429 |doi=10.1080/00043079.2015.1043828 |s2cid=191988798 }}</ref><ref>{{cite report |title=From India to Europe: The Production of the Kashmir Shawl and the Spread of the Paisley Motif |date=August 2018 |url=https://globalcapitalism.history.ox.ac.uk/sites/default/files/globalcapitalism/documents/media/case_04_-_the_paisley_0.pdf }}</ref> designer named Antony Berrus, born in 1815 at Nîmes-France and died in 1883.<ref name=levi>{{Cite book |last=Lévi-Strauss |first=Monique |title=Cachemires |publisher=Adam Biro |year=1987 |___location=Paris |pages=43}}</ref> The designer studied at the drawing School of Nîmes, before settling in Paris and opening in the French capital his own successful design studio, which employed 200 designers. His textile drawings were sold to Lyon in France, in Scotland, in England, in Austria and also in Kashmir. The fact that shawl patterns drawings were made in Europe, sold there and also to India, made the research work extremely difficult, in order to give a precise ___location of manufacture. Therefore, in 1973, John Irwin published an update of his book, named as The Kashmir Shawl, in which he removed all the images of the shawls related to a European manufacturing.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Irwin |first=John |title=The Kashmir Shawl |year=1973 |___location=London}}</ref> Monique Lévi-Strauss clearly states that her research led her to focus on the shawls creative industries in France in the 19th century, for the reason that the shawl industries in the United Kingdom (Paisley), Austria (Vienna), Germany (Elberfeld) were inspired by France (Paris) and never the opposite. The author then invited textile specialists from these countries to conduct research on their own field. Monique Lévi-Strauss notes the large influence that Kashmir had on the French shawl creative industries, narrowly linking the French history of Kashmir shawls to the Indian ones.<ref name=levi/>
====Political radicalism====
The high-status skilled weavers mobilised themselves in radical protests after 1790, culminating in the failed [[Radical War]] between 1816 and 1820. Through its weaving fraternity, Paisley gained notoriety as being a literate and somewhat radical town. Political intrigue, early trades unionism and reforming zeal came together to produce mass demonstrations, cavalry charges down the high street, public riots and trials for treason. Documentation from the period indicates that overthrow of the government was even contemplated by some.<ref>{{cite book |last=Rowand |first=David |title=Pictorial History of Paisley |year=1993 |publisher=Stenlake Publishing |___location=Catrine, Ayrshire |isbn=978-1-84033-435-7 |pages=4–17 |url=http://www.stenlake.co.uk/books/view_book.php?ref=549 |access-date=16 January 2013 |archive-date=23 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140423042738/http://stenlake.co.uk/books/view_book.php?ref=549 |url-status=live }}</ref> The weavers of Paisley were certainly active in the 'Radical War'. The perceived radical nature of the inhabitants prompted the Tory Prime Minister [[Benjamin Disraeli]] to comment "Keep your eye on Paisley". The poet [[Robert Tannahill]] lived in this setting, working as a weaver. Paisley's annual Sma' Shot Day celebrations held on the first Saturday of July <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.paisleyonline.co.uk/html/sma_shot.html |title=Paisley Online |publisher=paisleyonline.co.uk |date=7 July 2012 |access-date=7 July 2012 |archive-date=19 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120319022621/http://www.paisleyonline.co.uk/html/sma_shot.html |url-status=live }}</ref> were initiated in 1856 to commemorate a 19th-century dispute between weavers and employers over payment for "sma' shot" – a small cotton thread which, although unseen, was necessary in holding garments together.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/ilwwcm/publishing.nsf/Content/Navigation-els-SmaShotDayHomePage |title=Renfrewshire Community Website – Sma' Shot Day |publisher=Renfrewshire.gov.uk |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110817090809/http://www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/ilwwcm/publishing.nsf/Content/Navigation-els-SmaShotDayHomePage |archive-date=17 August 2011 |df=dmy-all}}</ref>
A permanent military presence was established in the town with the completion of [[Paisley Barracks]] in 1822.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.scottish-places.info/towns/townhistory383.html |title=Ordnance Gazetteer of Scotland: A Survey of Scottish Topography, Statistical, Biographical and Historical |first=Francis H. |last=Groome |publisher=Thomas C. Jack, Grange Publishing Works, Edinburgh |year=1882 |access-date=31 August 2011 |archive-date=13 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110913125429/http://www.scottish-places.info/towns/townhistory383.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
====Economic change====
The economic crisis of 1841–43 hit Paisley hard as most of the mills shut down. Among the mill owners, 67 of 112 went bankrupt. A quarter of the population was on poor relief. The Prime Minister, Sir [[Robert Peel]] decided to act. He secured additional funds for relief and sent his own representative to the town to supervise its distribution. He convinced Queen Victoria to wear Paisley products in order to popularise the products and stimulate demand.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Dickson |first1=Tony |last2=Clarke |first2=Tony |title=Social Concern and Social Control in Nineteenth Century Scotland: Paisley 1841-1843 |journal=The Scottish Historical Review |date=1986 |volume=65 |issue=179 |pages=48–60 |id={{ProQuest|1293240555}} |jstor=25530169 }}</ref> Overproduction, the collapse of the shawl market and a general depression in the textile industry led to technical changes that reduced the importance of weavers. Politically the mill owners remained in control of the town.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Dickson |first1=A. |last2=Speirs |first2=W. |title=Changes in Class Structure in Paisley, 1750-1845 |journal=The Scottish Historical Review |date=1980 |volume=59 |issue=167 |pages=54–72 |id={{ProQuest|1293150737}} |jstor=25529357 }}</ref> However, other industrial development continued in and around Paisley outside of textiles, including the development of [[ironstone]] and [[oil shale]] extraction at [[Inkerman, Renfrewshire|Inkerman]]. The town also had numerous other industries, examples include numerous engineering works, as well as a distillery, ironwork, dye works and tanneries.<ref>{{Historic Environment Scotland |cat=PLA|num=171212|num2=NS46SE 118|desc=Paisley, Cart Street, Engineering Works |access-date=19 June 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Historic Environment Scotland |cat=PLA |num=178595 |num2=NS46SE 150 |desc=Paisley, 10 Lonend, Saucel Ironworks |access-date=19 June 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Historic Environment Scotland |cat=PLA |num=43194 |num2=NS46SE 65 |desc=Paisley, Saucel Street, Saucel Distillery|access-date=19 June 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Historic Environment Scotland |cat=PLA |num=171213 |num2=NS46SE 119 |desc=Paisley, Seedhill Road, Tannery|access-date=19 June 2025}}</ref>
The [[American Civil War]] of 1861–1865 [[King Cotton|cut off cotton supplies]] to the [[textile mill]]s of Paisley. The mills in 1861 had a stock of cotton in reserve, but by 1862 there were large-scale shortages and shutdowns. There were no alternative jobs for the workers, and local authorities refused to provide relief. Voluntary relief efforts were inadequate, and the unemployed workers refused to go to workhouses. Workers blamed not the United States, but rather the officials in London for their hardship and did not support the idea of war with the United States.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Peters |first1=Lorraine |title=Paisley and the Cotton Famine of 1862–1863 |journal=Journal of Scottish Historical Studies |date=November 2001 |volume=21 |issue=2 |pages=121–139 |doi=10.3366/jshs.2001.21.2.121 }}</ref> Many of the cotton mills either closed or were converted to thread manufacture which became the main focus of the textile industry in Paisley until the 20th century.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Henderson |first1=W.O. |date=1951 |title=The Cotton Famine in Scotland and the Relief of Distress, 1862-1864 |url=http://www.jstor.org/stable/25526106 |journal=The Scottish Historical Review |volume=30 |issue=110 |pages=154–64 |jstor=25526106 |access-date=22 January 2024}}</ref>
===20th century===
====First World War====
[[File:PaisleyMap1923.jpg|thumb|right|Map of Paisley in early 1900s]]
Paisley suffered heavy losses in the [[First World War]]. [[Paisley War Memorial]] was designed by Sir [[Robert Lorimer]] (other sources say [[Harold Tarbolton]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.scottisharchitects.org.uk/architect_full.php?id=100213 |title=Basic Biographical Details – Harold Ogle Tarbolton |access-date=6 December 2018 |archive-date=25 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200925062821/http://www.scottisharchitects.org.uk/architect_full.php?id=100213 |url-status=live }}</ref>) in 1922 and depicts [[Robert the Bruce]] going into battle on horseback escorted by footsoldiers dressed as [[First World War]] infantry soldiers. It was sculpted by [[Alice Meredith Williams]].<ref>Dictionary of Scottish Architects: Robert Lorimer</ref>
====Bottled snail incident====
Paisley was also the site of an incident that gave rise to a major legal precedent. In a Paisley cafe in 1928, a woman claimed to find a dead snail in a bottle of ginger beer, and became ill. She sued the manufacturer for negligence. At the time a manufacturer was considered liable only if there was a contract in place with the harmed party. After ''[[Donoghue v Stevenson]]'', a precedent was established that manufacturers (and other "neighbours" or fellow citizens) owe a duty not to do foreseeable harm to others by negligence, regardless of contractual obligations, which paved the way for modern [[tort]] law. The case is often called the "Paisley snail".<ref>{{cite journal |last=Heuston |first=R. F. V. |year=1957 |title=Donoghue v. Stevenson in Retrospect|journal=[[Modern Law Review]] |volume=20 |issue=1 |pages=1–24 |doi=10.1111/j.1468-2230.1957.tb00421.x }}</ref>
====Second World War====
Owing to its industrial roots, Paisley, like many industrial towns in [[Renfrewshire]], became a target for German ''[[Luftwaffe]]'' bombers during [[World War II]]. Although it was not bombed as heavily as nearby [[Glasgow]] (see [[Clydebank Blitz]]), air raids still occurred periodically during the early years of the war, killing nearly a hundred people in several separate incidents; on 6 May 1941, a parachute mine was dropped in the early hours of the morning claiming 92 victims; this is billed the worst disaster in Paisley's history.<ref>{{cite news |title=Tale of Buddies who perished in World War II |url=http://www.paisleydailyexpress.co.uk/renfrewshire-news/local-news-in-renfrewshire/paisley-news/2011/01/19/tale-of-buddies-who-perished-in-world-war-ii-87085-28007301/ |publisher=Paisley Daily Express |date=19 January 2011 |access-date=2 May 2013 |archive-date=26 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220826053801/https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/all-about/paisley |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Gleniffer Braes]], on the southern outskirts of Paisley, are home to a number of "decoy ponds" (mock airfields) used by the RAF after the [[Battle of Britain]] as part of a project code-named "Starfish Decoy" designed to confuse German spies.<ref>{{cite news |title=Paisley's contribution to the Second World War |url=http://www.paisleydailyexpress.co.uk/renfrewshire-news/2011/10/17/paisley-s-contribution-to-the-second-world-war-87085-29596687/ |publisher=Paisley Daily Express |date=17 October 2011 |access-date=2 May 2013 |archive-date=26 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220826053756/https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/all-about/paisley |url-status=live }}</ref>
====Industrial decline====
[[File:Ferguslie Thread Works, Paisley, Scotland.jpg|thumb|right|Advertisement for the Ferguslie Thread Works in the 1867 Paris World Fair catalogue]]
Paisley, as with other areas in Renfrewshire, was at one time famous for its [[weaving]] and [[textile industry|textile]] industries. As a consequence, the [[Paisley pattern]] has long symbolic associations with the town. Until the [[Jacquard loom]] was introduced in the 1820s, weaving was a [[cottage industry]]. This innovation led to the industrialisation of the process and many larger mills were created in the town. Also as a consequence of greater mechanisation, many weavers lost their livelihoods and left for Canada and Australia. Paisley was for many years a centre for the manufacture of cotton sewing [[yarn|thread]]. At the heyday of Paisley thread manufacture in the 1930s, there were 28,000 people employed in the huge Anchor and Ferguslie mills of [[Coats Group|J & P Coats Ltd]], said to be the largest of their kind in the world at that time.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.archiveshub.ac.uk/news/02120302.html |title=Coats Viyella |publisher=Archiveshub.ac.uk |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120719062445/http://www.archiveshub.ac.uk/news/02120302.html |archive-date=19 July 2012 |df=dmy-all}}</ref> In the 1950s, the mills diversified into the production of synthetic threads but production diminished rapidly as a result of less expensive imports from overseas and the establishment of mills in [[India]] and [[Brazil]] by J & P Coats. By the end of the 1993, there was no thread being produced in Paisley.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12617719.coats-to-leave-threadbare-presence-sad-reflections-on-a-tetile-giant-which-is-slipping-quietly-away/|title=Coats to leave threadbare presence. Sad reflections on a tetile giant which is slipping quietly away.|date=11 March 1993|newspaper=Herald Scotland|access-date=24 October 2022}}</ref>
The town also supported a number of engineering works some of which relied on the textile industry, others on [[shipbuilding]]. Paisley once had five shipyards including John Fullerton and Company (1866–1928), [[Bow, McLachlan and Company]] (1872–1932) and [[Fleming and Ferguson]] (1877–1969).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/wiki/Fleming_and_Ferguson |title=Fleming and Ferguson |author= |date=2009-01-29 |work=Grace's Guide: The Best of British Engineering 1750-1960s |publisher= |accessdate=2011-05-23}}</ref>
[[File:Brown & Polson's.JPG|thumb|left|Advertisement for Brown & Polson's, 1894]]
A number of food manufacture companies existed in Paisley. The preserve manufacturer [[James Robertson (grocer)|Robertsons]] began in Paisley as a grocer whose wife started making [[marmalade]] from oranges in 1860.<ref>{{harv|McCarthy|1969|p=98}}</ref> This product was successful and a factory was opened in Storie Street, Paisley, to produce it in 1866 and additional factories were later opened in Manchester, London and Bristol.<ref name="Moisley 1962 297">{{harv|Moisley|Thain|1962|p=297}}</ref> The company was taken over by [[Rank Hovis McDougall]] who closed its Stevenson Street factory and transferred production to England in the 1970s. Brown and Polson was formed in Paisley in 1840 and two years later started producing [[starch]] for the weaving trades, by 1860 it was making food products including its patent [[cornstarch|cornflour]].<ref name="Moisley 1962 297"/><ref>{{harv|McCarthy|1969|p=99}}</ref> It later became CPC Foods Ltd,<ref>{{harv|Clark|1988|p=203}}</ref> a subsidiary of [[Unilever]], which produced [[Hellmann's and Best Foods|Hellmann's]] [[mayonnaise]], [[Gerber Products Company|Gerber]] baby foods and [[Knorr (brand)|Knorr]] soups. The company ceased production in Paisley in 2002.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://letslookagain.com/2016/07/brown-polson/|title=Starch in their eyes: Brown & Polson|publisher=Let's Look Again|date=17 July 2016| access-date=24 October 2022}}</ref> The Piazza shopping centre was opened by [[Sean Connery]] in 1970 and has since been modernised several times.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/news/day-sean-connery-brought-central-25224438 |title=The day Sean Connery brought the Central Belt to a stand still with Paisley visit |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=21 October 2022 |website=Glasgow Live |access-date=21 January 2024 |quote=}}
</ref>
In 1981 [[Peugeot|Peugeot Talbot]], formerly [[Chrysler]] and before that [[Rootes Group|Rootes]], announced that its [[Linwood, Renfrewshire|Linwood]] factory just outside Paisley would cease production. This led to the loss of almost 5,000 jobs.<ref name="allan">{{cite book |author=Robert J. Allan |title=Geoffrey Rootes' Dream for Linwood: Pictorial Look at a Landmark in British Car Manufacture |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BsohAAAACAAJ |year=1991 |publisher=Bookmarque |isbn=978-1-870519-12-0 |access-date=23 November 2020 |archive-date=26 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220826053753/https://books.google.com/books?id=BsohAAAACAAJ |url-status=live }}</ref> At one time [[M&Co.]] (Mackays) had its head office in Caledonia House in Paisley.<ref>"[https://web.archive.org/web/20050429052045/http://www.mackays.co.uk/contact.html Contact Us]." [[Mackays Stores]]. Retrieved on 1 February 2012. "Mackays Stores Ltd Caledonia House Caledonia Street Paisley PA3 2JP"</ref> Paisley had several [[cinemas]] in the town, all of which have since closed, including the Palladium (closed 1960s), the Regal, the La Scala Picture House (the B listed art deco 1912 facade of the cinema is now the entrance to the Paisley Centre) and the Kelburne.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/in-your-area/renfrewshire/paisley-nostalgia-palladium-cinema-site-31900821 |title=Paisley nostalgia: Palladium Cinema site is unrecognisable today |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=17 January 2024|publisher=Daily Record |access-date=21 January 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Historic Environment Scotland|num=LB39014 |desc=23 HIGH STREET, THE PAISLEY CENTRE |cat=B |access-date=21 January 2024}}</ref>
===21st century===
====Regeneration====
In 2015, the town launched its bid to become UK City of Culture in 2021.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-34808619 |title=Paisley launches bid to become UK City of Culture 2021 |date=13 November 2015 |work=BBC News |access-date=21 June 2018 |archive-date=29 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181129055013/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-34808619 |url-status=live }}</ref> On 15 July 2017 Paisley was announced as one of five shortlisted candidates,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.paisley2021.co.uk/news/support-pours-in-as-paisley-becomes-only-scottish-place-on-uk-city-of-culture-2021-shortlist/ |website=Paisley 2021 Website |access-date=23 July 2017 |title=Support pours in as Paisley becomes only Scottish place on UK City of Culture 2021 shortlist |archive-date=23 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170923002220/http://www.paisley2021.co.uk/news/support-pours-in-as-paisley-becomes-only-scottish-place-on-uk-city-of-culture-2021-shortlist/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On 7 December 2017 it lost to [[Coventry]]. Following the announcement, Renfrewshire Council and the Paisley 2021 Board stated that Paisley's "journey will continue" and that the bid process was "just the beginning" for regeneration processes in the town.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-42274323 |title=Paisley's 'journey will continue' despite culture bid disappointment |work=BBC News |date=7 December 2017 |access-date=21 June 2018 |archive-date=29 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181129013738/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-42274323 |url-status=live }}</ref>
Funding acquired during the City of Culture bid has led to multi-million pound regenerations for many of the town's key attractions.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.creativescotland.com/news-stories/latest-news/archive/2018/09/support-from-around-scotland-after-paisley-culture-bid-legacy-steps-get-green-light |title=Support from around Scotland after Paisley culture bid legacy steps get green light |work=Creative Scotland |date=20 September 2018 }}</ref> This includes a £22million refurbishment to the Town Hall which reopened in October 2023,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/23802175.paisley-town-hall-reopen-doors-transformation/ |title=Paisley Town Hall to reopen its doors after transformation |work=Glasgow Times |date=20 September 2023 }}</ref> a new £7million Central Library and Learning Hub on the High Street which opened November 2023,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.oneren.org/news/posts/opening-date-announced-for-paisley-s-new-7m-central-library-and-learning-hub-on-the-high-street/ |title=Opening date announced for Paisley's new £7m central library and learning hub on the High Street |work=OneRen |date= 5 September 2023 }}</ref> and a £45million transformation of Paisley Museum due to be completed in late 2024.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.renfrewshire24.co.uk/2023/10/03/major-milestone-as-paisley-museums-new-entrance-brings-colour-to-site/ |title=Major milestone as Paisley Museum's new entrance brings colour to site |work=Renfrewshire News |date=3 October 2023 }}</ref> Renfrewshire Council also maintains its Townscape Heritage Initiative and Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme to provide grants to property owners in Paisley and the surrounding areas to carry out historic building repair and traditional shopfront reinstatement.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/article/4560/Paisley-Townscape-Heritage-and-Conservation-Area-Regeneration-Scheme |title=Paisley Townscape Heritage and Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme |work=Renfrewshire Council |access-date=9 January 2024 }}</ref>
==Governance and public services==
[[File:Renfrewshire county.jpg|thumb|[[Paisley Sheriff Court]] and former County Buildings]]
Paisley is the administrative centre for the [[subdivisions of Scotland|council area]] of [[Renfrewshire Council]], and also lies within the [[registration county]] of [[Renfrewshire (historic)|the same name]]. The town is divided into [[Community council#Scotland|Community Councils]] for representation at the most local level.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://renfrewshire.gov.uk/communitycouncils |title=Community councils |publisher=Renfrewshire Council |access-date=22 October 2019 |archive-date=22 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191022120834/http://renfrewshire.gov.uk/communitycouncils |url-status=live }}</ref>
Paisley in represented in the [[Scottish Parliament]] by [[George Adam|George Adam MSP]], who holds the [[Paisley (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Paisley seat]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/scotland-constituencies/S16000136 |title=Paisley Scottish Parliament constituency |work=BBC News |access-date=22 October 2019 |archive-date=11 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190611150003/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/scotland-constituencies/S16000136 |url-status=live }}</ref> For the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom]] the town is divided between two constituencies covering the whole of Renfrewshire: [[Paisley and Renfrewshire North]] ([[Alison Taylor (politician)|Alison Taylor MP]]) and [[Paisley and Renfrewshire South]] ([[Johanna Baxter|Johanna Baxter MP]]).
Paisley lies within the Renfrewshire and Inverclyde Division of the Scottish [[police]] service and is one of three Area Commands in that division.<ref>{{cite web |title=Renfrewshire and Inverclyde Division |url=http://www.scotland.police.uk/your-community/renfrewshire-and-inverclyde/ |publisher=Police Scotland |year=2013 |access-date=21 May 2013 |archive-date=10 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130410102805/http://www.scotland.police.uk/your-community/renfrewshire-and-inverclyde/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Paisley is divided into five community policing areas: Paisley North-west (incorporating Glasgow Airport); Paisley South-west; Paisley East and Ralston; Paisley South; Gallowhill (as part of Renfrew and Gallowhill).<ref>{{cite web |title=Renfrewshire Local Policing Plan, p.11 & Appendix B |url=http://www.scotland.police.uk/assets/pdf/142349/RefrewshireInverclyde/RenfrewshireLPPApr2013 |publisher=Police Scotland |year=2013 |access-date=21 May 2013 |archive-date=18 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018062636/http://www.scotland.police.uk/assets/pdf/142349/refrewshireinverclyde/renfrewshirelppapr2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> Gallowhill is covered by the Renfrew Area Command. For judicial purposes, the area forms part of the [[sheriffdom]] of North Strathclyde and [[prosecutor|public prosecutions]] are directed by the [[Procurator Fiscal]] for [[Argyll and Clyde]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://insidetime.org/argyle-clyde-procurator-fiscals-office/|title=Argyll and Clyde Procurator Fiscal's Office|date=30 November 2001 |publisher=Inside Time|access-date=24 October 2022}}</ref>
[[NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde]] is the [[NHS Scotland|National Health Service]] Board serving Paisley and the town's main hospital with [[accident and emergency]] facilities is the [[Royal Alexandra Hospital, Paisley|Royal Alexandra Hospital]]. [[Strathclyde Fire and Rescue]] is the statutory [[fire services in Scotland|fire and rescue service]] covering Paisley, with one community [[fire station]] on the town's Canal Street.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.strathclydefire.org/your-area/renfrewshire--inverclyde.aspx |publisher=[[Strathclyde Fire and Rescue]] |title=Paisley area plan |access-date=5 August 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120911075526/http://www.strathclydefire.org/your-area/renfrewshire--inverclyde.aspx |archive-date=11 September 2012 |df=dmy-all}}</ref>
[[Water industry|Water]] and [[sewerage]] is provided in Paisley by [[Scottish Water]], a public body, and water and sewerage charges are collected alongside [[council tax]] by [[Renfrewshire Council]], the local authority, on its behalf. Renfrewshire Council is also responsible for the provision of [[waste management]] in the area.<ref>s.30, Environmental Protection Act 1990 as amended</ref> Paisley's [[distribution network operator]], the organisation licensed to transmit electricity from the [[National Grid (UK)|National Grid]] to consumers, is [[Scottish Power]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.energylinx.co.uk/distribution_network_operators.htm |publisher=energylinx.co.uk |year=2007 |access-date=5 February 2008 |title=Electricity Distribution Network Operators |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080114055937/http://www.energylinx.co.uk/distribution_network_operators.htm |archive-date=14 January 2008 |df=dmy-all}}</ref>
==Geography==
{{NSEW|[[Renfrew]]|[[Barrhead]]|[[Glasgow]]|[[Elderslie, Scotland|Elderslie]]|||||}}
[[File:Ferguslie Park from the air - geograph.org.uk - 4586580.jpg|thumb|right|[[Ferguslie Park]], a large residential area situated in Paisley]]
Paisley sits primarily on an expanse of low ground around 12 metres (40 ft) above sea level surrounding the [[White Cart Water]], which runs through the town centre. There are some hills and ridges which have been absorbed as the town has expanded.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.scottish-places.info/towns/townhistory383.html |title=Historical perspective for Paisley |publisher=Scottish-places.info |access-date=31 August 2011 |archive-date=13 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110913125429/http://www.scottish-places.info/towns/townhistory383.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The settlement is historically centred on Oakshaw, an area surrounding a hill to the north of the current High Street. Oakshaw is a [[conservation area]], and on the high ground many of Paisley's significant buildings can be found, such as the [[High Kirk]], the [[Coats Observatory, Paisley|Coats Observatory]] and the former John Neilson Institution, which was once a school and is now converted into residential flats.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.paisley.org.uk/paisley-history/john-neilson-institution/|title=John Neilson Institution|date=13 August 2011 |publisher=Paisley.org.uk|access-date=24 October 2022}}</ref>
Paisley expanded steadily, particularly in the [[Victorian era|Victorian]] and [[Edwardian era]]s, creating many suburbs. [[Castlehead, Paisley|Castlehead]] is a wooded [[conservation area]] primarily made up of Victorian villas where many of the town's leading industrialists made their homes in the late 19th century. [[Thornly Park]] is another conservation area, to the south of the town, just off Neilston Road toward [[Barrhead]]. It contains a variety of architecture ranging from [[mock Tudor]] to [[Art Deco]]. Many of the houses were designed by W. D. McLennan, a contemporary of [[Charles Rennie MacIntosh]]. McLennan also designed several local churches such as St Matthew's Church.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.paisley.org.uk/paisley-history/st-mathews-church/|title= St Matthew's Church|date= 26 January 2020|publisher=Paisley.org.uk|access-date=24 October 2022}}</ref>
Particularly following the Housing Act 1946, modern Paisley grew into the surrounding countryside, and several large residential areas were created in the post-war period. These include portions of [[Glenburn, Paisley|Glenburn]] (south), [[Foxbar]] (south west), [[Ferguslie Park]] (north west), [[Gallowhill]] (North East) and Hunterhill (South East). [[Gockston]] in the far north of the town has many terraced houses, and after regeneration has many detached and semi-detached houses as well as several blocks of flats. [[Dykebar, Paisley|Dykebar]], to the south east of the town centre, is a residential area which is also the site of [[Dykebar Hospital]], a secure psychiatric hospital.<ref>{{Historic Environment Scotland|num=LB38961|desc=Dykebar Hospital|cat=B|access-date=28 April 2019}}</ref> Local parks include [[Fountain Gardens, Paisley|Fountain Gardens]] and [[Barshaw Park]].
On the outskirts of the town are a number of settlements such as [[Ralston, Renfrewshire|Ralston]], a residential area in the far east bordering the city of [[Glasgow]]. Ralston was outside the Paisley burgh boundary when constructed in the 1930s, but as a result of local authority reorganisation in the 1990s, it is now a suburb of Paisley.{{cn|date=July 2025}}
=== Climate ===
{{Weather box
|___location = Paisley,{{efn|Weather station is located {{cvt|7|mi|0|abbr=out}} from the Glasgow city centre.}} elevation: {{cvt|16|m|disp=or}}, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1959–present
|metric first = Y
|single line = Y
|Jan record high C = 13.5
|Feb record high C = 14.4
|Mar record high C = 17.2
|Apr record high C = 24.4
|May record high C = 26.5
|Jun record high C = 29.6
|Jul record high C = 30.0
|Aug record high C = 31.0
|Sep record high C = 26.7
|Oct record high C = 22.8
|Nov record high C = 17.7
|Dec record high C = 14.1
|Jan high C = 7.2
|Feb high C = 7.8
|Mar high C = 9.8
|Apr high C = 13.0
|May high C = 16.1
|Jun high C = 18.4
|Jul high C = 19.8
|Aug high C = 19.3
|Sep high C = 16.7
|Oct high C = 13.0
|Nov high C = 9.6
|Dec high C = 7.4
|year high C = 13.2
|Jan low C = 2.1
|Feb low C = 2.2
|Mar low C = 3.2
|Apr low C = 5.1
|May low C = 7.4
|Jun low C = 10.3
|Jul low C = 12.1
|Aug low C = 11.9
|Sep low C = 9.9
|Oct low C = 6.9
|Nov low C = 4.2
|Dec low C = 2.1
|year low C = 6.5
|Jan record low C = −14.8
|Feb record low C = −7.5
|Mar record low C = −8.3
|Apr record low C = −4.4
|May record low C = −1.1
|Jun record low C = 1.5
|Jul record low C = 3.9
|Aug record low C = 2.2
|Sep record low C = -0.2
|Oct record low C = −3.5
|Nov record low C = −6.8
|Dec record low C = −14.5
|rain colour = green
|Jan rain mm = 146.4
|Feb rain mm = 115.2
|Mar rain mm = 97.4
|Apr rain mm = 66.1
|May rain mm = 68.8
|Jun rain mm = 67.8
|Jul rain mm = 82.9
|Aug rain mm = 94.8
|Sep rain mm = 98.4
|Oct rain mm = 131.8
|Nov rain mm = 131.8
|Dec rain mm = 161.4
|year rain mm = 1262.8
|unit rain days = 1.0 mm
|Jan rain days = 17.7
|Feb rain days = 14.7
|Mar rain days = 13.8
|Apr rain days = 12.3
|May rain days = 12.1
|Jun rain days = 12.1
|Jul rain days = 13.3
|Aug rain days = 13.9
|Sep rain days = 13.9
|Oct rain days = 16.2
|Nov rain days = 17.3
|Dec rain days = 16.9
|year rain days = 174.3
|Jan sun = 38.6
|Feb sun = 67.3
|Mar sun = 104.3
|Apr sun = 141.4
|May sun = 186.8
|Jun sun = 155.6
|Jul sun = 151.5
|Aug sun = 145.5
|Sep sun = 114.6
|Oct sun = 86.3
|Nov sun = 53.9
|Dec sun = 33.7
|year sun = 1279.6
|source 1 = Met Office <ref name = PaisleyStats >{{cite web |url=http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/averages/19812010/sites/paisley.html |title=Paisley 1981–2010 averages |publisher=[[Met Office]] |work=Station, District and regional averages 1981–2010 |access-date=2012-11-04 |archive-date=27 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140427082629/http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/averages/19812010/sites/paisley.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
|source 2 = KNMI/Royal Dutch Meteorological Institute<ref name = AnomalyMaps >{{cite web |url=http://eca.knmi.nl/utils/mapserver/anomaly.php?indexcat=**&indexid=TNn&year=1995&seasonid=7&minx=-1142380.952381&miny=-4965714.2857143&maxx=590952.38095239&maxy=-3665714.2857143&MapSize=560%2C420&imagewidth=560&imageheight=420&CMD=QUERY_POINT&CMD=QUERY_POINT#bottom |title=KNMI: Climate Extremes 1959– |publisher=[[Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute|KNMI]] |access-date=31 October 2011 |archive-date=3 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903115709/http://eca.knmi.nl/utils/mapserver/anomaly.php?indexcat=**&indexid=TNn&year=1995&seasonid=7&minx=-1142380.952381&miny=-4965714.2857143&maxx=590952.38095239&maxy=-3665714.2857143&MapSize=560%2C420&imagewidth=560&imageheight=420&CMD=QUERY_POINT&CMD=QUERY_POINT#bottom |url-status=live }}</ref>
}}
{{Notelist}}
==Economy==
Public sector organisations in Paisley include the headquarters of [[Renfrewshire Council]], the largest campus of the [[University of the West of Scotland]], the Paisley campus of [[West College Scotland]] and the [[Royal Alexandra Hospital, Paisley|Royal Alexandra Hospital]].
[[Glasgow Airport]], located on the northern edge of Paisley, is also a significant employer and part of the area's transport infrastructure. The airline [[Loganair]]'s registered office is located within the airport complex.<ref>"[http://www.loganair.co.uk/contacts/statutory Statutory Information] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090504085107/http://www.loganair.co.uk/contacts/statutory |date=4 May 2009 }}." ''Loganair''. Retrieved 20 May 2009.</ref>
[[whisky|Scotch whisky]] blenders and bottlers [[Chivas Regal|Chivas Brothers]], now a subsidiary of [[Pernod Ricard]], are also located in the town.
The site of the former Rootes/Chrysler/Talbot on the western outskirts of the town is now home to Phoenix Retail Park. Numerous private developers have invested, creating various retail outlets, vehicle showrooms, restaurants, a cinema complex, hotel and a business centre.
==Landmarks==
===Civic buildings===
[[File:Renfrewshire House Building, Paisley.jpg|thumb|Renfrewshire House, headquarters of Renfrewshire Council]]
[[File:Paisley Town Hall (geograph 6160460).jpg|thumb|[[Paisley Town Hall]], which has been converted into a centre for performing arts]]
As the [[administrative centre]] of the [[Renfrewshire (historic)|county of Renfrewshire]], [[Renfrew District]] and, currently, [[Renfrewshire]] [[council areas of Scotland|council area]], Paisley is home to many significant civic buildings. [[Paisley Town Hall]], adjacent to the Abbey, was funded by the will of [[George Aitken Clark]],<ref>{{cite DNB |wstitle=Clark, George Aitken |volume=10}}</ref> one of the Clark family, owners of the Anchor Mills. In competition, Sir Peter Coats funded the construction of the modern [[Paisley Museum and Art Galleries|Paisley Museum]] and Central Library (1871), also in a neo-Classical style. The Clarks and Coats families dominated Paisley industry until their companies merged in 1896.<ref name="renfrewshire1"/> Renfrewshire's former County Buildings, Police Station and Jail on County Square were demolished in 1821, and the County Council then met in a newer neo-classical building, completed in 1890, which now houses [[Paisley Sheriff Court]].<ref>{{Historic Environment Scotland|num= LB39103|desc= Paisley Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court, excluding 3-storey extension to north, St James Street, Paisley |access-date=13 December 2022}}</ref>
Renfrewshire House, the modern headquarters of Renfrewshire Council, was constructed as Paisley Civic Centre. Designed by Hutchison, Locke and Monk following a competition, the building was designed to house offices of both the county and town councils. It was intended to become a civic hub for Paisley but the absence of any shops and non-council premises prevented this from happening.<ref>{{cite book |author=Frank Arneil Walker |title=The South Clyde estuary: an illustrated architectural guide to Inverclyde and Renfrew |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vOvbNQAACAAJ |year=1986 |publisher=Scottish Academic Press |isbn=978-0-7073-0476-2 |access-date=23 November 2020 |archive-date=26 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220826053753/https://books.google.com/books?id=vOvbNQAACAAJ |url-status=live }}</ref> It became the home of the Renfrew sub-region of [[Strathclyde]] Regional Council in 1975 and of [[Renfrewshire]] Council in 1996. It is listed by the conservation organisation [[DoCoMoMo]] as one of the [[DoCoMoMo Key Scottish Monuments|sixty key Scottish monuments]] of the [[post-war]] period.
Other civic buildings of interest include the [[Russell Institute]], an [[art deco]] building constructed in 1926.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.paisley.org.uk/history/russell.php |title=History of Paisley |work=Paisley.org.uk |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061002125259/http://www.paisley.org.uk/history/russell.php |archive-date=2 October 2006}}</ref>
===Religious sites===
[[File:PaisleyAbbey.jpg|thumb|[[Paisley Abbey]] was the burial place of many Scottish kings of the [[House of Stewart]] during the 13th, 14th and 15th centuries]] Most noticeable among the buildings of Paisley is its [[Medieval architecture|medieval]] [[Abbey]] in the centre of the town dating from the 12th century. The earliest surviving architecture is the south-east doorway in the nave from the cloister, which has a round arched doorway typical of Romanesque architecture which was the prevalent architectural style before the adoption of Gothic.{{cn|date=July 2025}} The choir (east end) and tower date from the late 19th and early 20th centuries and are examples of [[Gothic Revival architecture]]. They were reconstructed in three main phases of restorations with the tower and choir conforming to the designs of Dr Peter MacGregor Chalmers. The roof in the nave is the most recent of restorations with the plaster ceiling by Rev Dr Boog which was added in the 1790s being replaced by a timber roof in 1981.{{cn|date=July 2025}}
Former [[Thomas Coats Memorial Baptist Church]], named for the industrialist [[Thomas Coats]] (1809–1883), is an example of [[Gothic Revival architecture]]. It dominates the town's skyline with its crown spire more than {{cvt|60|m|ft|0}} high. Opened in 1894 and designed by [[Hippolyte Blanc|Hippolyte Jean Blanc]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fenet.co.uk/coats/arch.htm |title=Thomas Coats Memorial Church: Architecture |publisher=Fenet.co.uk |access-date=22 October 2006 |archive-date=15 August 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060815135845/http://www.fenet.co.uk/coats/arch.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> it was the largest [[Baptist]] church in Europe. The exterior is made of old red sandstone. Inside, the church is decorated with wood carvings, mosaic floors and marble fonts. The church also contains a 3040 pipe Hill Organ.
The [[St Mirin's Cathedral]] in Incle Street is the seat of the Catholic [[Bishop of Paisley]]. The church was completed in 1931 to replace an earlier building, in nearby East Buchanan Street, which dated from 1808. The original St Mirin's church was the first Catholic church to be built in Scotland since the [[Scottish Reformation|Reformation]]. With the erection of the [[Diocese of Paisley]] in 1947 the church was raised to cathedral status.
[[St Matthew's Church, Paisley|St Matthew's Church]] ([[Church of the Nazarene]]) at the junction of Gordon Street and Johnston Street is [[Art Nouveau]] in style. Designed by local architect William Daniel McLennan, a contemporary of [[Charles Rennie Mackintosh]], it was built in 1905–07.
===Other===
Dating from circa 1160 [[Blackhall Manor]] is the oldest building in Paisley. It was given to the Burgh of Paisley by the Shaw-Stewart family in 1940, but was threatened with demolition in 1978. It was privately purchased in 1982 and fully restored as a private dwelling.
[[File:Dooslan stone in Brodie Park, paisley.JPG|thumb|The Dooslan stane and the tolbooth bases in Brodie Park]]
As a result of its historic textile industry, Paisley has many examples of [[Victorian era|Victorian]] industrial architecture. Most notable is the Category A listed Anchor Mills, built in 1886. The building was converted in 2005 into residential flats.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.architecturescotland.co.uk/practices/portfolio/33/Refurbishment_%26_Conversion_of_the_Domestic_Finishing_Mill%2C_Anchor_Mills%2C_Paisley |title=ArchitectureScotland.co.uk |access-date=22 October 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927192803/http://www.architecturescotland.co.uk/practices/portfolio/33/Refurbishment_%26_Conversion_of_the_Domestic_Finishing_Mill%2C_Anchor_Mills%2C_Paisley |archive-date=27 September 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.princes-regeneration.org/index.php?n=PT.AnchorMills |title=The Prince's Regeneration Trust |publisher=Princes-regeneration.org |access-date=22 October 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927164440/http://www.princes-regeneration.org/index.php?n=PT.AnchorMills |archive-date=27 September 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Textiles have a longer history in Paisley, represented by the Sma' Shot cottages complex on Shuttle Street: a small public museum of weaving from its 18th-century origins as a [[cottage industry]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.smashot.co.uk/ |title=Sma' Shot Cottages, Paisley |publisher=Smashot.co.uk |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111008035726/http://www.smashot.co.uk/ |archive-date=8 October 2011 |df=dmy-all}}</ref>
Another landmark connected with the textile industry is the Dooslan Stane or Stone. The stone was a meeting place of the Weavers Union in the south of Paisley; it was also used as a "[[soapbox]]" and was originally inscribed with its history (now largely faded). It was moved from its original site at the corner of Neilston Road and Rowan Street to its present ___location in Brodie Park. Also present, arranged around the Dooslan Stane, are the four original Paisley Tolbooth stones. The Dooslan Stane is still used today as the congregating point for the annual Sma' Shot parade which takes place on the first Saturday in July.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.paisleyonline.co.uk/html/parks.html |title=Paisley Online |access-date=13 July 2008 |archive-date=19 November 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081119151013/http://www.paisleyonline.co.uk/html/parks.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
The [[High Street drill hall, Paisley|High Street drill hall]] was completed in about 1896.<ref name=canmore>{{cite web |url=https://canmore.org.uk/site/198172/paisley-76-high-street-drill-hall |title=Paisley, 76 High Street, Drill Hall |publisher=Canmore |access-date=27 June 2017 |archive-date=9 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190809125459/https://canmore.org.uk/site/198172/paisley-76-high-street-drill-hall |url-status=live }}</ref>
The composer [[Thomas Wilson (composer)|Thomas Wilson]]'s 1988 work ''Passeleth Tapestry'' (later his Fourth Symphony) commemorates the history of Paisley in a single 30-minute movement. Commissioned by Renfrew District Council to mark Paisley's 500th anniversary as a [[burgh of barony]], it was premiered on 6 August 1988 in Paisley Abbey with the [[Royal Scottish National Orchestra]] under [[Bryden Thomson]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chandos.net/composers/Thomas_Wilson/990|title=Thomas Wilson {{!}} Chandos Records|website=Chandos Records|date=2011|access-date=1 November 2022}}</ref> It was subsequently recorded by the [[Royal Scottish National Orchestra]] with conductor [[Rory Macdonald (conductor)|Rory Macdonald]] on the [[Linn Record Label]], and received critical acclaim by the [[Gramophone (magazine)|Gramophone]], which considered its orchestration as "beguiling", but the string glissandos as "kitsch".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gramophone.co.uk/review/wilson-symphonies-nos-3-4|publisher=[[Gramophone (magazine)|Gramophone]]|author=Andrew Mellor|title=WILSON Symphonies Nos 3 & 4|access-date=1 November 2022}}</ref>
==Transport==
[[File:2012 at Paisley Gilmour Street station - main entrance.jpg|thumb|[[Paisley Gilmour Street railway station]].]]
Paisley is connected to the motorway network and the [[National Rail]] network, and contains [[Glasgow Airport]] within its boundaries.
Paisley is connected by road to the UK motorway network, with the [[M8 motorway (Scotland)|M8]] running along the northern edge of the town, Junctions 27, 28 and 29 providing access to Greenock to the west and Glasgow to the east. This forms part of the unsigned [[European route E05|E05]] [[International E-road network|Euroroute]] from Greenock to [[Gibraltar]]. Many major A roads converge through the town, including the [[A726 road|A726]], [[A737 road|A737]] and [[A761 road|A761]]. The [[Strathclyde Partnership for Transport]], a [[Scottish public bodies|public body]], has direct operational responsibilities covering the area, such as supporting (and in some cases running) local bus services in Paisley ([[Graham's Bus Service]]) and across [[Strathclyde]].<ref name="SPT">{{cite web |url=http://www.spt.co.uk/about/index.html |author=[[Strathclyde Partnership for Transport]] |publisher=spt.co.uk |date=5 September 2007 |access-date=11 February 2008 |title=Who we are |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071212024032/http://www.spt.co.uk/about/index.html |archive-date = 12 December 2007}}</ref>
The town has four railway stations and is linked by rail to [[Glasgow]] city centre as well as [[Inverclyde]] and the [[Ayrshire]] coast. [[Paisley Gilmour Street railway station|Paisley Gilmour Street]] is the largest of the stations and is also the fourth busiest train station in Scotland.<ref>{{cite web |title=Estimates of station usage |url=https://dataportal.orr.gov.uk/statistics/usage/estimates-of-station-usage |website=Office of Rail and Road |access-date=25 September 2024 |date=14 December 2023}}</ref> There are also smaller stations at [[Paisley St James railway station|Paisley St James]], [[Paisley Canal railway station|Paisley Canal]] and [[Hawkhead railway station|Hawkhead]]. The rail links also connect to [[Glasgow Prestwick International Airport]] and ferry routes to [[Dunoon]], the [[Isle of Arran]], [[Isle of Bute]] and [[Northern Ireland]]. Over the years there have been [[Paisley railway station (disambiguation)|thirteen railway stations]] in Paisley and three rail lines that are now closed (The [[Paisley and Barrhead District Railway]],<ref name="homepage.ntlworld.com">{{cite web |url=http://homepage.ntlworld.com/sealed/paisley/railpage/pbdr.htm |title=Paisley and Barrhead District Railway |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927223117/http://homepage.ntlworld.com/sealed/paisley/railpage/pbdr.htm |archive-date=27 September 2007 |work=homepage.ntlworld.com}}</ref> the [[Barrhead Branch]]<ref name=homepage.ntlworld.com/> of the [[Great Southern and Western Railway|GSWR]], and the [[Paisley and Renfrew Railway]]).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://homepage.ntlworld.com/sealed/paisley/railpage/renfrew.htm |title=Paisley and Renfrew Railway |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081011100240/http://homepage.ntlworld.com/sealed/paisley/railpage/renfrew.htm |archive-date=11 October 2008 |work=homepage.ntlworld.com}}</ref> Paisley Canal station and the [[Paisley Canal Line]] owe their names to the [[Glasgow, Paisley and Johnstone Canal]] which occupied the route of the line until 1885, when it was filled in. The line reusues part of the Paisley Canal, which was the site of the [[Paisley canal disaster]] in 1810.
[[Glasgow Airport]], operated by [[AGS Airports]], is Scotland's largest airport, located to the north of Paisley at [[Abbotsinch]]. It is adjacent to the M8 motorway and served by buses from Paisley Gilmour Street railway station. The planned [[Glasgow Airport Rail Link]] project, which was to run through Paisley, was abandoned in 2009. As mentioned above, [[Glasgow Prestwick Airport]] in [[Ayrshire]] is directly accessible by rail from Paisley Gilmour Street station.
==Education==
[[File:Paisley Grammar School - geograph.org.uk - 427193.jpg|thumb|[[Paisley Grammar School]], now a [[state school|state]] [[comprehensive school|comprehensive]]]]
Paisley is the main site for the [[new universities|modern]] [[University of the West of Scotland]], which was created from a merger between the [[University of Paisley]] and [[Bell College]] in [[Hamilton, South Lanarkshire]]. The University of Paisley was granted university status in 1992, having existed previously as a [[central institution]] known as Paisley College of Technology. The [[further education]] college [[West College Scotland]] has a campus in the town; this institution was previously known as [[Reid Kerr College]].
There are currently four [[comprehensive school|comprehensive]] [[state school|state]] secondary schools in Paisley: [[Paisley Grammar School]], [[Castlehead High School]], [[St Andrew's Academy, Paisley]] and [[Gleniffer High School]]. The oldest of these is Paisley Grammar which was founded in 1576 and was one of two former [[grammar school]]s in the town – alongside the former John Neilson Institution (latterly John Neilson High School) founded in 1852. Other former secondary schools in the area include Merksworth High School (to the north west of the town), [[St Mirin's Academy]] or High School (on the west side of the town), St Aelred's High School and Stanely Green High School (both on the south side of the town). Of the current secondary schools in the town, all are [[non-denominational]] save for St Andrew's Academy which is a Roman Catholic school.
==Culture==
=== Religion ===
[[File:Saint Mirin's Cathedral - geograph.org.uk - 1191127.jpg|alt=|thumb|The Roman Catholic Cathedral of Saint Mirin]]
{|class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:right"
|-
!rowspan="2"|Religion
!colspan="2"|2011<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk/webapi/jsf/tableView/tableView.xhtml# |title=SuperWEB2(tm) - Log in }}</ref>
!colspan="2"|2021<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk/webapi/jsf/tableView/tableView.xhtml | title=SuperWEB2(tm) - Log in }}</ref>
|-
!Number
!%
!Number
!%
|-
|style="text-align:left" | [[Christianity|Christian]] || 43,359 || 56.4 || 33,747 || 42.5
|-
|style="text-align:left" | <small>–Church of Scotland</small> || 21,992 || 28.5 || 14,068 || 17.7
|-
|style="text-align:left" | <small>–Catholic</small> || 18,356 || 23.9 || 16,138 || 20.3
|-
|style="text-align:left" | <small>–Other Christian</small> || 3,011 || 3.9 || 3,541 || 4.5
|-
|style="text-align:left" | [[Islam|Muslim]] || 653 || 0.8 || 1,404 || 1.8
|-
|style="text-align:left" | [[Judaism|Jewish]] || 37 || <0.1 || 40|| 0.1
|-
|style="text-align:left" | [[Hinduism|Hindu]] || 133 || 0.2 || 295 || 0.4
|-
|style="text-align:left" | [[Sikhism|Sikh]] || 245|| 0.3|| 281 || 0.4
|-
|style="text-align:left" | [[Buddhist|Buddhism]] || 104 || 0.1 || 138|| 0.2
|-
|style="text-align:left" | [[Paganism|Pagan]] || {{n/a}} || {{n/a}} || 262|| 0.3
|-
|style="text-align:left" | Other religion || 204 || 0.3|| 189|| 0.2
|-
|style="text-align:left" | [[Irreligion|No religion]] || 26,719 || 34.8|| 38,333 || 48.3
|-
|style="text-align:left" | Religion not stated || 5,378 || 7.0 || 4,674 || 5.9
|- style="font-weight:bold;"
! Total !! 76,834 !! 100.00% !! 79,369 !!100.00%
|}
Paisley is home to a number of religious denominations and is an important historical centre for the Christian faith in Scotland. The town's historic [[patron saint]] is [[Saint Mirin]] (or Mirren); according to legendary accounts, Mirin settled in Paisley as a missionary sent from Ireland in the 6th century and was instrumental in bringing the relics of [[St Andrew]] to Scotland.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.paisley.org.uk/paisley-history/saint-mirin-patron-saint/ |title=Saint Mirin – Our Patron Saint | Paisley Scotland |date=13 August 2011 |publisher=Paisley.org.uk |access-date=2 September 2011 |archive-date=4 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120204044228/http://www.paisley.org.uk/paisley-history/saint-mirin-patron-saint/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Paisley Abbey]], one of the town's most significant landmarks, was constructed as a priory in the 12th century and raised to [[abbey]] status in the 13th. It served as an ecclesiastical centre for a wide area surrounding the county of [[Renfrewshire (historic)|Renfrewshire]] for centuries until the [[Scottish Reformation|Reformation]] when such religious centres were reduced to the status of [[parish church]]es. For the [[Church of Scotland]], Paisley forms part of the [[Presbytery (church polity)|Presbytery]] of Clyde. (''see: [[List of Church of Scotland synods and presbyteries|Church of Scotland synods and presbyteries]]'').
Other Christian communities have a number of churches in Paisley, many of which were the result of the [[Industrial Revolution]] where people from around the [[British Isles]] came to Paisley for work.<ref name="paisley1">{{cite web |url=http://www.paisley.org.uk/paisley-history/cradle-stewarts/ |title=The Cradle of the Stewarts | Paisley Scotland |date=13 August 2011 |publisher=Paisley.org.uk |access-date=2 September 2011 |archive-date=4 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120204044852/http://www.paisley.org.uk/paisley-history/cradle-stewarts/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The Roman Catholic [[Diocese of Paisley]], created in 1947, is centred upon the town's [[St Mirin's Cathedral]], the seat of the [[Bishop of Paisley]]. Paisley also forms part of the [[Scottish Episcopal Church|Episcopalian]] ([[Anglican]]) [[Diocese of Glasgow and Galloway]] with its main facilities being contained at the Holy Trinity and St Barnabas Church in the town centre, a congregation which united in 2004.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://episcopalpaisley.org.uk/about-2/ |title=Contact Us « Holy Trinity & St Barnabas, Paisley |publisher=Episcopalpaisley.org.uk |access-date=1 September 2011 |archive-date=31 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120331124733/http://episcopalpaisley.org.uk/about-2/ |url-status=live }}</ref> There are currently two Baptist congregations in Paisley: in addition to Thomas Coats Memorial Baptist Church (see under "Landmarks – religious sites") is Central Baptist Church, which meets in nearby Lady Lane. Paisley is home to a [[meetinghouse]] of [[the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]] located on Glenburn Road.
Other smaller religious groups exist in the town. The [[Methodist Church of Great Britain]] has a church and central hall opposite Paisley Abbey which forms part of the Ayrshire and Renfrewshire [[Methodist circuit|Circuit]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://arc-methodists.org.uk/index.php?id=1314837084 |title=Ayrshire & Renfrewshire Methodist Circuit Home page |publisher=Arc-methodists.org.uk |access-date=1 September 2011 |archive-date=31 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120331124816/http://arc-methodists.org.uk/index.php?id=1314837084 |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Christadelphians]] meet in a hall on Alice Street.<ref>'[http://www.searchforhope.org/paisley Paisley] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110921163217/http://www.searchforhope.org/paisley |date=21 September 2011 }}' on ''searchforhope.org''</ref>
===Media===
Paisley has one local daily newspaper, the [[Paisley Daily Express]], which is owned by the [[Trinity Mirror]] Group. Various local radio stations have operated at times, including [[Q96]] from 1992 to 2007 – serving the [[Renfrewshire]] area, although for a considerable period based in neighbouring Glasgow. Its replacement, Glasgow-based [[Guardian Media Group]] station [[96.3 Rock Radio]] carries Renfrewshire focused material. In October 2011 Rock Radio, faced with falling advertising revenue, was rebranded by Guardian Media Group as Real Radio XS after a proposed management buyout failed to materialise.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/research/tv-research/local_media_slides_scotland.pdf |title=Local and Regional Media in the UK: Industry round table: Ofcom Scotland |date=10 November 2009 |website=[[Ofcom]] |access-date=28 August 2011 |archive-date=11 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811033638/http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/research/tv-research/local_media_slides_scotland.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>
Paisley has two local radio stations, Paisleyradio.com broadcasts from the centre of Paisley with a large online audience. Paisleyradio.com won the Prestige Scotland Radio Station of the Year award 3 times 2021/22, 2022/23 and 2023/24.{{cn|date=July 2025}} In 2023, paisleyradio.com officially became the most successful radio station from Paisley with 8 media awards.{{cn|date=July 2025}}
Paisley FM broadcasts from the Grammar School, it covers Paisley, Renfrew and Johnstone.
===Sport===
[[File:St Mirren Park from Murray Street - geograph.org.uk - 3530567.jpg|thumb|right|[[St Mirren Park]], home stadium of [[St Mirren F.C.]]]]
[[St Mirren F.C.]] is Paisley's sole professional association football team. As of 2018, it plays in the [[Scottish Premiership]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/teams/st-mirren |title=St Mirren – Football |website=BBC Sport |language=en-gb |access-date=14 September 2018 |archive-date=26 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180926113215/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/teams/st-mirren |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2009, the team moved from their [[Love Street (stadium)|Love Street stadium]] to a new 8,029 capacity stadium, known formally as [[St Mirren Park]], on Greenhill Road. The stadium was later renamed as The Paisley 2021 Stadium to mark the town's bid to be UK City of Culture in 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.paisley2021.co.uk/news/paisley-2021-stadium-will-boost-town-s-culture-bid/ |title=Paisley 2021 stadium will boost town's culture bid |date=30 November 2015 |website=Paisley 2021 website |access-date=12 April 2016 |archive-date=23 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160423040630/http://www.paisley2021.co.uk/news/paisley-2021-stadium-will-boost-town-s-culture-bid/ |url-status=live }}</ref> St Mirren last won the [[Scottish Cup]] on 16 May 1987.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.scottishfa.co.uk/scottish_football.cfm?curpageid=551 |title=Scottish Football Association: The Scottish FA: Scotland |publisher=The Scottish FA |access-date=27 June 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080627112852/http://www.scottishfa.co.uk/scottish_football.cfm?curpageid=551 |archive-date=27 June 2008 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all}}</ref> The club won the [[Scottish League Cup]] for the first time in its history on 17 March 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://edm.parliament.uk/early-day-motion/45384/st-mirren-scottish-communities-league-cup-winners|title=St. Mirren Scottish Communities League Cup Winners|publisher=UK Parliament|date= 18 March 2013|access-date=24 October 2022}}</ref> Another professional football team, [[Abercorn F.C.]], was based in Paisley until its decline and liquidation in 1920.<ref>[https://cairterscorner.com/the-natural-order/abercornfc-the-death-of-a-paisley-football-club/ The Death of a Professional Paisley Football Club], Cairter's Corner. Retrieved 16 February 2022</ref>
[[St Mirren B.C.|St Mirren Basketball Club]] was formed in 1997: they have won the National League title once, in 2000, and have won the Scottish Cup three times (1999, 2002 and 2012).<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/basketball/3020706/Basketball-St-Mirren-end-wait.html|title=Basketball: St Mirren end wait|date=24 March 2002|newspaper=The Telegraph|access-date=24 October 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mvp247.com/2012/02/scottish-cup-final/|title=Saints, Rocks secure Scottish Cup|date=5 February 2012|publisher=MVP| access-date=24 October 2022}}</ref>
[[Paisley RFC]] is an amateur rugby union club based at the Anchor Recreation Grounds in Paisley.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/in-your-area/renfrewshire/paisley-rugby-club-inspire-next-26360556|title=Paisley Rugby Club inspire next generation of players at Anchor event|date=2 March 2022|newspaper=Daily Record|access-date=24 October 2022}}</ref>
[[Kelburne Hockey Club]] is a local club which was founded in 1969.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.scottish-hockey.org.uk/50-years-of-kelburne-hockey-club/|title=50 years of Kelburne Hockey Club|publisher=Scottish Hockey|date=23 January 2020 |access-date=24 October 2022}}</ref>
===Notable people===
{{Further|:Category:People from Paisley, Renfrewshire}}
Historically, Paisley was notable as the religious home of the [[House of Stewart|Stewart family]] who descended from [[Walter FitzAlan]], the first [[High Steward of Scotland]] and founder of Paisley Abbey, eventually becoming the [[Monarchy of Scotland|Scottish]] and [[Monarchy of the United Kingdom|British]] [[Royal Family of the United Kingdom|Royal Family]]. The Stewarts once resided at a castle in nearby [[Renfrew]]. All six of the High Stewards are buried in the Abbey, as is [[Marjorie Bruce]] – the eldest daughter of [[Robert I of Scotland]] (Robert the Bruce) – who married the [[Walter Stewart, 6th High Steward of Scotland|6th High Steward]], thus founding the Stewart dynasty. The first Stewart King of Scotland and son of Marjorie Bruce and Walter Stewart, [[Robert II of Scotland|Robert II]], is believed to have been born in the Abbey. His son [[Robert III of Scotland|Robert III]] is buried there.<ref name="paisley1"/>
[[Ronald Reagan]]'s maternal great-great-grandparents, Claude Wilson and Margaret Downey, were married at Paisley High Church on 23 May 1807.<ref>{{cite news |last=Simpson |first=Anne |newspaper=Glasgow Herald |date=6 June 2004|title=He thought his roots were Irish and then we uncovered link with Paisley|url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12505872.he-thought-his-roots-were-irish-and-then-we-uncovered-link-with-paisley/|quote=Acting exclusively for this newspaper, then known as the Glasgow Herald, Hugh Peskett, director of research at Burke's Peerage, discovered the late president's maternal great-great-grandparents, Claude Wilson and Margaret Downey, had been married at Paisley High Church on May 23, 1807.}}</ref>
Other notable people associated with Paisley include:
==
<!-- Please maintain alphabetical order when adding to or adjusting this list. -->
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*[[John Amabile (interior designer)|John Amabile]] (interior designer)
*[[Claire Barclay]] (artist)
*[[Seán Batty]] ([[STV (TV channel)|STV]] weatherman)
*[[John Bell (Scottish actor)|John Bell]] (actor)
*[[Gerard Butler]] (actor)<ref name="BBC2015">{{cite news |title=10 reasons why Paisley is already a city of culture |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-34808907 |publisher=[[BBC]] |date=13 November 2015 |access-date=21 June 2018 |archive-date=22 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170922225612/http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-34808907 |url-status=live }}</ref>
*[[John Byrne (Scottish playwright)|John Byrne]] (artist and playwright)
*[[Tom Conti]] (actor)
*[[Kari Corbett]] (actress)
*[[Nick Currie]] (singer/songwriter, journalist)
*[[Whisky David]] (1947–2011) (musician and singer/songwriter) <ref>{{cite news |url=http://elpais.com/diario/2011/05/05/necrologicas/1304546402_850215.html |title=David Waterston, 'Whisky David', músico bohemio |author=Ediciones El País |work=EL PAÍS |date=5 May 2011 |access-date=29 October 2014 |archive-date=17 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117034725/http://elpais.com/diario/2011/05/05/necrologicas/1304546402_850215.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
*[[James Dewar (musician)|Jim Dewar]] (musician and singer/songwriter
*[[Joe Egan (musician)|Joe Egan]] (musician and songwriter)
*[[Anya Gallaccio]] (artist)
*[[Alexander Gardner (photographer)|Alexander Gardner]] (photographer)
*[[Alexander Goudie]] (artist)
*[[Fergus Hall]] (painter, illustrator, educator)
*[[William Hart (painter)|William Hart]] (artist)
*[[Thomas Kibble Hervey]] (poet and critic)
*[[John Hutchison (architect)|John Hutchison]], (architect)
*[[Thomas S. Tait]] (architect)
*[[Kenny Ireland]] (director and actor)
*[[Vince Jones]] ([[Australian jazz]] singer, songwriter, and trumpet, [[flugelhorn]] and [[flumpet]] player)
*[[Graeme Kelling]] (1957–2004) (musician from pop group [[Deacon Blue]])
*[[Patricia Leitch]] (children's author)
*[[Phyllis Logan]] (actor)<ref name="BBC2015"/>
*[[Paul McGillion]] (actor)
*[[Neve McIntosh]] (actress)
*[[Fulton Mackay]] (actor)
*[[Kenneth McKellar (singer)|Kenneth McKellar]] (tenor)
*[[James Francis McMillan|James McMillan]] (author and historian)
*[[Ron McMillan]] (photojournalist and novelist)
*[[Denzil Meyrick]] (writer/businessman)
*[[Kelly Marie]] (singer)
*[[Steven Moffat]] (screenwriter)<ref name="BBC2015"/><ref>{{cite news |author=Staff writer |date=5 January 1989 |title=Write first time |work=[[The Stage]] |page=15}}</ref>
*[[Brendan Mullen]] (author/nightclub owner)
*[[Andrew Ferguson Neil|Andrew Neil]] (journalist and television presenter)
*[[Hector Nicol]] (singer, comedian and actor)
*[[Paolo Nutini]] (singer/songwriter)<ref name="BBC2015"/>
*[[Alan Orr]] (actor/musician)
*[[Ebenezer Picken]] (poet and songwriter)
*[[Gerry Rafferty]] (musician and singer/songwriter)
*[[John Reid (music manager)|John Reid]] (impresario)
*[[Albert Rossi]] (musician/drummer)
*[[David Sneddon]] (singer/songwriter)
*[[Alexander Stoddart]], [[Sculptor in Ordinary for Scotland|Her Majesty's Sculptor in Ordinary in Scotland]]
*[[Robert Tannahill]] (1774–1810) (poet)
*[[Paul Telfer (actor)|Paul Telfer]] (actor)
*[[David Tennant]] (actor)<ref name="BBC2015"/>
*[[Tom Urie]] (actor/musician)
*[[Alexander Wilson (ornithologist)|Alexander Wilson]] (poet, ornithologist)
*[[Mark Rowley (actor)|Mark Rowley]] (actor)
}}
==
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*[[David Eccles (businessman)|David Eccles]] (businessman)
*[[John Glassford]] (tobacco lord)<ref>{{cite web |title=John Glassford from The Gazetteer for Scotland |url=https://www.scottish-places.info/people/famousfirst3322.html |website=www.scottish-places.info |access-date=14 January 2023 |language=en-gb}}</ref>
*[[Fred Goodwin]], (banker)
*[[Loans Affair|Tirath Khemlani]], banker
*[[Andrew Millar]] (18th-century bookseller)
*[[Nora Senior]] (businesswoman)
*[[Trevor Sorbie]] (hairdresser)
}}
====Politics and religion====
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*[[George Adam]] (politician, current [[Member of the Scottish Parliament|MSP]] for [[Paisley (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Paisley]])
*[[Douglas Alexander]] (politician, ex [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Member of Parliament]] for [[Paisley and Renfrewshire South (UK Parliament constituency)|Paisley and Renfrewshire South]])
*[[Wendy Alexander]] (politician)
*[[H. H. Asquith]] (MP from 1920–4)
*[[John Barr (New Zealand politician)|John Barr]], (member of the [[New Zealand Legislative Council]])<ref>{{cite news |title=Hon John Barr |url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=EP19301208.2.136.1 |access-date=19 July 2012 |work=[[The Evening Post (New Zealand)|The Evening Post]] |volume=CX |issue=137 |date=8 December 1930 |page=13 |archive-date=24 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140324151118/http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=EP19301208.2.136.1 |url-status=live }}</ref>
*[[Mhairi Black]] (politician, [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|MP]] for [[Paisley and Renfrewshire South (UK Parliament constituency)|Paisley and Renfrewshire South]])
*[[Sir William Dunn, 1st Baronet, of Lakenheath]] (politician)
*[[Willie Gallacher (politician)|Willie Gallacher]] (politician)
*[[Patrick Gilday]] (United Mine Workers official, USA)
*[[Ian Hamilton (lawyer)|Ian Hamilton]] (lawyer and nationalist)
*[[Hugh Henry]] (politician)
*[[Patrick Hutchison]] (Presbyterian minister)
*[[Eleanor Laing]] (politician)
*[[James MacGregor (minister)|James MacGregor]] (Free Church minister there, 1861-1868)
*[[George Murdoch]] (politician, first mayor of [[Calgary, Canada]])
*[[Sandra Osborne]] (politician, ex [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|MP]] for [[Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock]])
*[[Robert II of Scotland]] (king)
*[[Andrew Sinclair (botanist)|Andrew Sinclair]] (surgeon, botanist, public servant, and politician in New Zealand)<ref>{{DNZB|last=Molloy|first=Brian P. J.|id=1s12|title=Sinclair, Andrew |access-date=2 December 2010}}</ref>
*[[Liz Truss]] (politician, [[ Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|Prime Minister]] (2022))
}}
====Science and education====
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*[[Agnes Barr Auchencloss]] (medical officer)<ref>{{cite web |title=University of Glasgow :: Story :: Biography of Medical Officer Agnes Barr Auchencloss |url=https://www.universitystory.gla.ac.uk/ww1-biography/?id=1843 |website=www.universitystory.gla.ac.uk |access-date=26 October 2021 |archive-date=23 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023122116/https://www.universitystory.gla.ac.uk/ww1-biography/?id=1843 |url-status=live }}</ref>
*[[Archibald Barr]] (scientific engineer)
*[[Robert Broom]] (palaeontologist)
*[[Nonequilibrium Gas and Plasma Dynamics Laboratory|Iain Boyd]] (aerospace engineer)
*[[Ronald Ian Currie]] (oceanographer)
*[[James Goodfellow]] (Inventor; ATM and PIN)
*[[Jimmy Kinnon]] (founder of Narcotics Anonymous)
*[[David Stow]] (educationalist)
*[[James Finlay Weir Johnston]] (scientist and educationalist)
}}
====Sport====
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*[[Robert Archibald]] (basketball player)
*[[Archie Scott Brown]] (racing driver)
*[[Jack Carlin]] (cyclist)
*[[Owen Coyle]] (footballer)
*[[Gordon Durie]] (footballer)
*[[Tom Forsyth]] (footballer)
*[[Paul Gallacher]] (footballer)
*[[Archie Gemmill]] (footballer)
*[[James Grady (footballer)|James Grady]] (footballer)
*[[Dale Greig]] (holder of the women's world record for the marathon in 1964)
*[[Majid Haq]] (Scottish international cricketer, all time leading Scottish wicket taker as of 2015)
*[[Omer Hussain]] (cricketer)
*[[Hamza Tahir]] (cricketer)
*[[Callum Hawkins]] (athlete)
*[[David Hay]] (footballer)
*[[Paul Lambert]] (footballer)
*[[Barry Lavety]] (footballer)
*[[Jamie Langfield]] (footballer)
*[[Hugh Lorimer]] (footballer)
*[[Marc McAusland]] (footballer)
*[[Derek McInnes]] (footballer)
*[[Micky Mellon]] (footballer and Oldham Athletic manager)
*[[Charlie Mitchell (footballer)|Charlie Mitchell]] (footballer)
*[[Campbell Money]] (footballer)
*[[Robbie Neilson]] (footballer)
*[[Brian O'Neil (footballer born 1972)|Brian O'Neil]] (footballer)
*[[Lee Peacock]] (footballer)
*[[Mark Ralph (field hockey)|Mark Ralph]] (Scottish international hockey player)
*[[Kay Lee Ray]] (professional wrestler)
*[[Bernie Slaven]] (footballer)
*[[Brian Smith (cyclist)|Brian Smith]] (Olympic cyclist)
*[[Alasdair Strokosch]] (Scottish international rugby player)
*[[Angela Taylor (ice hockey)|Angela Taylor]] (Great Britain international ice hockey player)
*[[Elaine Vassie]] (rugby coach)
}}
==== Military ====
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*[[John James Snodgrass]] ([[Battle of Waterloo]])
*[[Samuel Evans (VC)|Samuel Evans]] recipient of the [[Victoria Cross]] (Crimean war hero)
*[[John Hannah (VC)|John Hannah]] recipient of the [[Victoria Cross]] (RAF sergeant)
*[[Arthur Henderson (VC)|Arthur HendersonC]] recipient of the [[Victoria Cross]] (army captain)
*[[Hugh McIver]] recipient of the [[Victoria Cross]] (Army private)
*[[James McKechnie]] recipient of the [[Victoria Cross]] (army sergeant)
*[[Archie McKellar]] (Battle of Britain ace)
}}
==Twin towns and cities==
Paisley is [[town twinning|twinned]] with:
* [[Fürth]], Germany, since 1969
* [[Gladsaxe]], Denmark, since 1990
== References ==
=== Citations ===
{{Reflist}}
=== Bibliography ===
*{{cite book |last=Clark |first=Sylvia |year=1988 |title=Paisley: A History |publisher=Mainstream |___location=Edinburgh |isbn=1-85158-109-X}}
* {{cite journal |last1=Dickson |first1=A. |last2=Speirs |first2=W. |title=Changes in Class Structure in Paisley, 1750-1845 |journal=The Scottish Historical Review |date=1980 |volume=59 |issue=167 |pages=54–72 |id={{ProQuest|1293150737}} |jstor=25529357 }}
* {{cite journal |last1=Dickson |first1=Tony |last2=Clarke |first2=Tony |title=Social Concern and Social Control in Nineteenth Century Scotland: Paisley 1841-1843 |journal=The Scottish Historical Review |date=1986 |volume=65 |issue=179 |pages=48–60 |id={{ProQuest|1293240555}} |jstor=25530169 }}
* {{cite journal |last1=Hunter |first1=Jim |title=The Paisley Textile Industry, 1695–1830 |journal=Costume |date=1976 |volume=10 |issue=1 |pages=1–15 |doi=10.1179/cos.1976.10.1.1 }}
*{{cite book |last=McCarthy |first=Mary |year=1969 |title=A Social Geography of Paisley |publisher=The Committee of Management, Paisley Public Library}}
*MacDonald, Catriona M. M. ''The Radical Thread. Political Change in Scotland: Paisley Politics, 1885–1924'' (2000)
*{{cite book |last1=Moisley |first1=H.A. |last2=Thain |first2=A.G. |year=1962 |title=The Third [[Statistical Account of Scotland]]: The County of Renfrew |publisher=William Collins Sons & Co |chapter=Chapter 23: The Parish and Burgh of Paisley |___location=Glasgow}}
* {{cite journal |last1=Peters |first1=Lorraine |title=Paisley and the Cotton Famine of 1862–1863 |journal=Journal of Scottish Historical Studies |date=November 2001 |volume=21 |issue=2 |pages=121–139 |doi=10.3366/jshs.2001.21.2.121 }}
==External links==
{{Wikivoyage|Paisley}}
*[http://www.
*[http://www.
*[http://paisleyhistory.uk/ Paisley History]
{{Renfrewshire settlements}}
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:Paisley, Renfrewshire| ]]
[[Category:Large burghs]]
[[Category:Towns in Renfrewshire]]
[[Category:Towns with cathedrals in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Greater Glasgow]]
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