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Renfrew
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Renfrew location map
Renfrew lies to the north east of Renfrewshire between two rivers, the Clyde and the Cart.
Early history
Renfrew has an important place in Scottish history through its connection with the High Stewards of Scotland. Walter, the 6th Steward and Baron of Renfrew, married Marjory, daughter of King Robert Bruce in 1315. Their son succeeded to the throne of Scotland as Robert II.
Renfrew was created a Royal Burgh in the 14th century by King Robert III. As a burgh, it was the only town in the area with the right to hold markets and fairs, to claim customs and tolls from other towns, and to trade abroad. These rights made Renfrew the local centre of trade and business for many years. In 1676 the Lord Lyon King of Arms granted Renfrew its Coat of Arms.
Renfrew has an important place in Scottish history through its connection with the High Stewards of Scotland. Walter, the 6th Steward and Baron of Renfrew, married Marjory, daughter of King Robert Bruce in 1315. Their son succeeded to the throne of Scotland as Robert II.
Renfrew was created a Royal Burgh in the 14th century by King Robert III. As a burgh, it was the only town in the area with the right to hold markets and fairs, to claim customs and tolls from other towns, and to trade abroad. These rights made Renfrew the local centre of trade and business for many years. In 1676 the Lord Lyon King of Arms granted Renfrew its Coat of Arms.
The shield shows a ship on a blue sea, a reference to Renfrew's history as a port. The Latin motto "Deus Gubernat Navem" - "God Steers the Ship" is written along the bottom, acknowledging that God guides the affairs of Renfrew.
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Buildings
Castlehill, near the present Ferry Road, was the site of Renfrew Castle, built by the High Stewards of Scotland. No trace of the castle remains today, although its presence lives on in Renfrew place names. Orchard Street is where the royal orchard once was, and the older name for Wilson Street was the Dog Row, which dates from the time when the royal kennels stood there.
The first Renfrew Town Hall, built in 1670, was also used as a courthouse and jail. This building and the houses crowded around it were demolished when a larger town hall was needed for the expanding town. The new town hall (pictured at the top of this page) built on the same site, was opened in 1873 and soon became a landmark with its striking square tower, turrets and spire.
Castlehill, near the present Ferry Road, was the site of Renfrew Castle, built by the High Stewards of Scotland. No trace of the castle remains today, although its presence lives on in Renfrew place names. Orchard Street is where the royal orchard once was, and the older name for Wilson Street was the Dog Row, which dates from the time when the royal kennels stood there.
The first Renfrew Town Hall, built in 1670, was also used as a courthouse and jail. This building and the houses crowded around it were demolished when a larger town hall was needed for the expanding town. The new town hall (pictured at the top of this page) built on the same site, was opened in 1873 and soon became a landmark with its striking square tower, turrets and spire.
Other surviving buildings of note include the town's Police Station, designed by A N Paterson and opened in 1910, and the Victory Baths, designed by T G Abercrombie and opened in 1921.
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Transport
A ferry service crossing the Clyde from Renfrew to Clydebank began in 1614, and a variety of ferry boats have operated over the years. The first ferries were rowboats. They were followed by ferries pulled across by hand using ropes or chains, and later by steam power. The ferry was much used by workers travelling to shipyards and factories on both sides of the river. The car ferry service ended in 1984, and there is now only a service for foot passengers. The last car ferry has been transformed into an entertainment venue moored further up the Clyde and is known as The Ferry.
Before the First World War in the earliest days of flying, pilots used the flat fields in the Moorpark area of Renfrew to land and take off. In 1914, the area became a military airfield, and later, Renfrew Airport. The terminal building pictured here was opened in 1954 but closed in 1966 when Glasgow Airport opened at nearby Abbotsinch in Paisley.
The rivers White Cart and Black Cart meet to the north of Renfrew. Early travellers crossed by ford and later by ferry. In 1759 a nine-arch bridge was built across both rivers, and in 1786 a canal was cut to bypass the bridge and allow ships to pass without lowering their masts. The canal had a swing bridge over it. The nine-arch bridge was destroyed by flood in 1809 and replaced by two bridges. The swing bridge was replaced by the current bascule bridge in 1923.
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Industries
In early times many Renfrew people were weavers, producing muslin, linen and silk for Paisley merchants. Others were fisherman. By the 19th century, shipbuilding and boilermaking were being established. In the 20th century shipbuilding companies such as Simons, Barr and McNab and Lobnitz employed thousands.
During the second World War the Lobnitz company built floating piers used in the D-Day landings in 1944. Engineering company Babcock and Wilcox opened in Renfrew in 1895 producing boilers, and grew to be a large concern. Now known as Doosan Babcock Energy, this company is still a major employer in Renfrew.
Finding out more
You may like to visit the Clyde Waterfront Heritage website to discover more about the history of Renfrew and areas of interest.
You can also find out more about Renfrew and its history by contacting -
Renfrew Community Museum
41 Canal Street
Renfrew
PA4 8QA
phone: 0141 886 3149
Renfrew Community Library
Paisley Road
Renfrew, PA4 8LJ
email: libraries.els@renfrewshire.gov.uk
phone: 0141 886 3433
fax: 0141 886 1660
Paisley Central Local Studies Library
The Local Studies Library holds a collection of materials relating to the history of Renfrew, including books, newspapers and maps. To contact the Local Studies Library:
- email: locstuds.els@renfrewshire.gov.uk
- phone: 0141 889 2360
- fax: 0141 887 6468
- write to:
Reference and Local Studies Library
Central Library
68 High Street
Paisley
PA1 2BB
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