History & Heritage
by Moira Dyer.
The River Clyde threads through Greater Glasgow & Clyde Valley and provides a sense of continuity in its lazy meander from its gentle source in rural Lanarkshire past quiet market towns and villages. It then gains in momentum and size near the bustling city of Glasgow before flowing on through Renfrewshire and finally tumbling into the sea at Inverclyde.
The area's maritime heritage is vividly brought to life at attractions such as the Museum of Transport, The Tall Ship at Glasgow Harbour and Clydebuilt at Renfrew, which tells the story of Glasgow and the River from tobacco to shipbuilding.
Greenock, Gourock and Port Glasgow in Inverclyde enjoy spectacular panoramas across the Clyde Estuary to the Argyll Hills and stir memories of its ship-building and sea-faring past. This is vividly captured at the McLean Museum in Greenock, which boasts a fascinating cornucopia of exhibits including those acquired by local sea captains from exotic ports around the globe.
Home to medical pioneers, Scotland's greatest explorer, as well as a noble family and one of the world's most visionary social reformers, South Lanarkshire also has a remarkable legacy.
Chatelherault and Hamilton Mausoleum, built for the Dukes of Hamilton, gloriously illustrate the area's aristocratic links, while the David Livingstone Centre traces the astonishing journey from mill worker in Blantyre to African missionary and explorer.
Fascinating Hunter House Museum in East Kilbride is dedicated to the pioneering medical work of eighteenth century doctors John and William Hunter.
The Clyde Valley Tourist Route wends its way to the Falls of Clyde and the 200-year World Heritage Site of New Lanark made famous by Robert Owen's enlightened social reforms.
In North Lanarkshire go back in time at Summerlee Heritage Park to Scotland's noisiest museum and see a recreated miners' row, working tramway and coal mine amongst the exhibits.
Westwards, the ancient and historic county of Renfrewshire - cradle of the Royal Stewart Dynasty, birthplace of the thirteenth century Scottish patriot William Wallace and home of the 'Paisley Pattern' - has long been at the heart of the story of Scotland.
Paisley's history can be traced back over 800 years to the founding of its medieval Abbey in the twelfth Century as a Cluniac Monastery and features the Barochan Cross and fine stained glass windows.
The town thrived in the eighteenth century on a strong tradition of weaving and dyeing, and eventually the cotton industry that was to bring Paisley international fame.
The town's weavers became so highly skilled in reproducing an intricate tear-drop design from Kashmir that it became known as the 'Paisley Pattern'. Their artistry can be admired at Paisley Museum & Art Gallery where the world's largest collection of the famous shawls is on view.
Their everyday life and working conditions can be experienced at Paisley's Sma' Shot Cottages or at the Weaver’s Cottage in the neighbouring village of Kilbarchan.
To the south of the city lies East Renfrewshire – snugly ensconsed between its two larger neighbours, Renfrewshire and Glasgow - has a fascinating past of insurrection and revolution!
The area is steeped in the history of the Covenanters and the industrial revolution also made its mark on the landscape in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries - thanks to the Cart and Levern rivers, which powered the cotton mills and triggered the area's growth.
The conservation village of Eaglesham meanwhile, is home to the works of nineteenth century sculptor, William Gemmell whose astonishing statues provide a remarkable snapshot of local social history.
Today, the Georgian, Greenbank House and Rouken Glen Park are perfect places to soak up the local atmosphere.
To the north of Glasgow is East Dunbartonshire, once a magnet for the Roman Legions and now popular with legions of walkers intent on getting to the start of the West Highland Way at Milngavie!
The town’s Lillie Art Gallery has an impressive collection of twentieth century Scottish art while Auld Kirk Museum in Kirkintilloch has fascinating displays on local history including Roman artefacts and exhibits on industrial heritage.
The area's maritime heritage is vividly brought to life at attractions such as the Museum of Transport, The Tall Ship at Glasgow Harbour and Clydebuilt at Renfrew, which tells the story of Glasgow and the River from tobacco to shipbuilding.
Greenock, Gourock and Port Glasgow in Inverclyde enjoy spectacular panoramas across the Clyde Estuary to the Argyll Hills and stir memories of its ship-building and sea-faring past. This is vividly captured at the McLean Museum in Greenock, which boasts a fascinating cornucopia of exhibits including those acquired by local sea captains from exotic ports around the globe.
Home to medical pioneers, Scotland's greatest explorer, as well as a noble family and one of the world's most visionary social reformers, South Lanarkshire also has a remarkable legacy.
Chatelherault and Hamilton Mausoleum, built for the Dukes of Hamilton, gloriously illustrate the area's aristocratic links, while the David Livingstone Centre traces the astonishing journey from mill worker in Blantyre to African missionary and explorer.
Fascinating Hunter House Museum in East Kilbride is dedicated to the pioneering medical work of eighteenth century doctors John and William Hunter.
The Clyde Valley Tourist Route wends its way to the Falls of Clyde and the 200-year World Heritage Site of New Lanark made famous by Robert Owen's enlightened social reforms.
In North Lanarkshire go back in time at Summerlee Heritage Park to Scotland's noisiest museum and see a recreated miners' row, working tramway and coal mine amongst the exhibits.
Westwards, the ancient and historic county of Renfrewshire - cradle of the Royal Stewart Dynasty, birthplace of the thirteenth century Scottish patriot William Wallace and home of the 'Paisley Pattern' - has long been at the heart of the story of Scotland.
Paisley's history can be traced back over 800 years to the founding of its medieval Abbey in the twelfth Century as a Cluniac Monastery and features the Barochan Cross and fine stained glass windows.
The town thrived in the eighteenth century on a strong tradition of weaving and dyeing, and eventually the cotton industry that was to bring Paisley international fame.
The town's weavers became so highly skilled in reproducing an intricate tear-drop design from Kashmir that it became known as the 'Paisley Pattern'. Their artistry can be admired at Paisley Museum & Art Gallery where the world's largest collection of the famous shawls is on view.
Their everyday life and working conditions can be experienced at Paisley's Sma' Shot Cottages or at the Weaver’s Cottage in the neighbouring village of Kilbarchan.
To the south of the city lies East Renfrewshire – snugly ensconsed between its two larger neighbours, Renfrewshire and Glasgow - has a fascinating past of insurrection and revolution!
The area is steeped in the history of the Covenanters and the industrial revolution also made its mark on the landscape in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries - thanks to the Cart and Levern rivers, which powered the cotton mills and triggered the area's growth.
The conservation village of Eaglesham meanwhile, is home to the works of nineteenth century sculptor, William Gemmell whose astonishing statues provide a remarkable snapshot of local social history.
Today, the Georgian, Greenbank House and Rouken Glen Park are perfect places to soak up the local atmosphere.
To the north of Glasgow is East Dunbartonshire, once a magnet for the Roman Legions and now popular with legions of walkers intent on getting to the start of the West Highland Way at Milngavie!
The town’s Lillie Art Gallery has an impressive collection of twentieth century Scottish art while Auld Kirk Museum in Kirkintilloch has fascinating displays on local history including Roman artefacts and exhibits on industrial heritage.