Lochwinnoch

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Lochwinnoch location map

Lochwinnoch lies in the south west of Renfrewshire on the shore of Castle Semple Loch.

• Early history
• The Kirktoun of Lochwinnoch
• Castle Semple
• Industries of Lochwinnoch
• The Cairn of Lochwinnoch
• Finding out more

Early history
People have lived in Lochwinnoch since the Stone Age. Flint tools from this period have been found in the area. During the Iron Age, the Celtic people known as the Britons of Strathclyde built a fort on Knockmade Hill, which can still be seen.

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The Kirktoun of Lochwinnoch
The village of Lochwinnoch grew round its church. The date of the first church is unknown, but by the 13th century the chapel of Lochwinnoch was controlled by the monks of Paisley Abbey. A new church was built in 1729. It is now known as Auld Simon and part of it still stands in the old churchyard where there are graves dating back to the 16th century. The area around the church was called the Kirktoun. Surrounding the Kirktoun were small farms, and several cattle markets and fairs were held during the year.

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Castle Semple
Castle Semple estate, on the north bank of what is now called Castle Semple Loch, belonged to the family of Semple. In 1504 John, the first Lord Semple, built the Collegiate Church, the ruins of which can still be seen. This church was also one of Scotland's earliest schools. In 1727 Hugh, the eleventh Lord Semple sold the estate to Colonel William Macdowall, who demolished the old castle and built a mansion-house. Castle Semple House was the centre of a thriving estate, with a home farm, workers' houses, stables, kennels and other buildings. The house was destroyed by fire in 1924.


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Industries of Lochwinnoch
Lochwinnoch's early industries were spinning and weaving, and thread-making. As the industrial era progressed, many mills and factories were built. Many people gave up farm work to work in the mills and factories and the houses built to accommodate them changed the way the village looked. Lochwinnoch also became known for the production of fine furniture.

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The Cairn of Lochwinnoch
Dr Andrew Crawfurd of Lochwinnoch wrote the "Cairn of Lochwinnoch". This publication gives a lively picture of life in Lochwinnoch and the surrounding area during the period 1827-1854, and runs to many volumes. It contains all kinds of documents such as family histories, letters, poems, bills, tombstone inscriptions as well as stories and comments about individuals. The original volumes can be seen in the Local Studies Library in Paisley.

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Finding out more
You can find out more about Lochwinnoch and its history by contacting -

Lochwinnoch Community Library
Old School
High Street
Lochwinnoch PA12 6AB
Phone: 01505 842305
Fax: 01505 843780
Email: libraries.els@renfrewshire.gov.uk


Paisley Central Local Studies Library
The Local Studies Library holds a collection of materials relating to the history of Lochwinnoch, including the "Cairn" mentioned above, plus other books, newspapers and maps. You can contact the Local Studies Library by -

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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