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Elderslie
Home > About Renfrewshire > Our history and heritage > Towns and Villages > Elderslie
The village of Elderslie lies approximately 2 miles west of Paisley, between Paisley and Johnstone.
Early history
The village of Elderslie has a long history: archaeologists have found relics from as far back as Neolithic times, and tradition says that during the early days of Christianity, St Patrick, patron saint of Ireland, visited Elderslie and preached there. His name is remembered in the Old Patrick Water (also known as the Brandy Burn), and in the area of Glenpatrick.
William Wallace
Wallace monument
Elderslie 1912
William Wallace, the great Scottish hero who led the struggle for Scotland's independence from English rule at the end of the 13th century, is said to have been born in Elderslie around 1270 and educated by the monks of nearby Paisley Abbey.
Wallace is commemorated in Elderslie with a fine stone monument topped with a crown, erected in 1912. The buildings in the photograph behind the monument were known locally as Wallace's house or Wallace's Castle, until their demolition in 1973. They were built in the 16th century, but on the site of a much older building which was said to be Wallace's home.
Wallace is commemorated in Elderslie with a fine stone monument topped with a crown, erected in 1912. The buildings in the photograph behind the monument were known locally as Wallace's house or Wallace's Castle, until their demolition in 1973. They were built in the 16th century, but on the site of a much older building which was said to be Wallace's home.
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Transport
The Glasgow to Johnstone canal (via Elderslie) was completed in 1811 and offered a new means of transportation for people and goods. By 1836 there were 8 boats working the route from Elderslie to Johnstone. In 1840 the Glasgow to Ayr railway line opened, with a station in Elderslie. The railway was faster and more comfortable, and the canal was used less. In 1885 it was drained and another railway line was laid along its course.
In the early 20th century tramcars were an efficient and popular means of transport in Elderslie, before gradually giving way to buses and cars. Transport improvements enabled people to live in Elderslie and travel to work in Paisley, Johnstone or Glasgow. The large villas on Main Road were originally built to be close to the railway station. Elderslie, Paisley and Johnstone have grown until there is little space left between them, but Elderslie still maintains its separate identity.
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Industry
In the past, Elderslie has hosted coalmines, a whisky distillery and a paper mill. The dominant industry, however, was carpet making. In 1862 Arthur Francis Stoddard began a carpet making business in the former paper mill, and by the end of the 1860s he was exporting carpets to Europe and America. Stoddard's carpet firm grew to be a very large concern well known for their high quality carpets.
They produced carpets for the Queen's wedding in Westminster Abbey, for the ill-fated ocean liner Titanic, and for the Concorde aircraft.
This photograph shows an example of a high quality patterned carpet produced by Stoddard's. This carpet is part of Paisley Museum's collection.
This photograph shows an example of a high quality patterned carpet produced by Stoddard's. This carpet is part of Paisley Museum's collection.
A Stoddard's carpet
Elderslie Village Hall, c1910
Arthur Francis Stoddard donated the funds to build Elderslie a village hall, which opened in 1881. It was built in Stoddard Square, named for him, in the centre of the village.
Stoddard's carpet factory closed in 2003 and was demolished to make way for new housing.
Stoddard's carpet factory closed in 2003 and was demolished to make way for new housing.
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Finding out more
You can find out more about the history of Elderslie by contacting:
Paisley Central Local Studies Library
Email: locstuds.els@renfrewshire.gov.uk
Phone: 0141 889 2360
Fax: 0141 887 6468
Writing to:
Reference and Local Studies Library
Central Library
68 High Street
Paisley
PA1 2BB
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