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Renfrewshire Community Plan 2008 - 2017 Inchinnan
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Inchinnan location map
Inchinnan lies in the north east of Renfrewshire, on the southern bank of the River Clyde and close to the Black Cart River.
Early Inchinnan
Around the year 600, a monastery was established by St Conval in Inchinnan, close to the Black Cart River. In the 12th century a church dedicated to the saint was built on the same site by the Knights Templar.
A church continued to stand on this site until the
1960s when All Hallow's Church, the last church on
this site, was dismantled. It was thought to be too
close to the newly built Glasgow Airport. Its ancient carved stones were removed and transported to the new church some distance away; however, the graveyard remains within the airport boundary.
In the 12th century the lands in and around Inchinnan were granted to Walter Fitzalan, High Steward of Scotland. By 1511 his descendants, the Stewarts of Darnley, had built the Palace of Inchinnan near the farm later called Garnieland. The palace fell into ruins and has now disappeared, but a stone from it dated 1631 is kept in St Conval's Kirk. The name Garnieland came from the 'garden lands' of the palace. In the 17th and 18th centuries several big houses, such as Northbar, Southbar and Park, stood in the Inchinnan area.
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Bridges
From early times travellers crossed the rivers Black Cart and White Cart to Inchinnan first by a ford and later by a ferry.
In 1759, a nine-arch bridge was built across the point where the two rivers joined. Since ships heading
up-river to Paisley could not sail under the bridge without lowering their masts, in 1786 a canal cut
was dug to bypass it. A swing bridge was built over
the canal. The nine-arch bridge was destroyed by
flood in 1809, and was replaced in 1812 by two bridges. The swing-bridge was replaced in 1923
with a Bascule bridge which is still in operation.
up-river to Paisley could not sail under the bridge without lowering their masts, in 1786 a canal cut
was dug to bypass it. A swing bridge was built over
the canal. The nine-arch bridge was destroyed by
flood in 1809, and was replaced in 1812 by two bridges. The swing-bridge was replaced in 1923
with a Bascule bridge which is still in operation.
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Industries
William Beardmore and Company opened the Inchinnan Airship Construction Works in Inchinnan during the first world war. The company also built houses nearby to accommodate workers. The houses became known as "Beardmore Cottages" and are still popular homes today.
The Works produced a total of 4 airships. The model R34, pictured, was 720 feet (219 metres) long and was the first aircraft to make a return journey across the Atlantic and back.
The airship factory closed in 1922 and
the site was taken over by the India Tyre Rubber Company which continued to operate until 1981.
In 1929 the tyre company built a magnificent art deco style office building which has recently been refurbished by Graham Technology, its current owners.
the site was taken over by the India Tyre Rubber Company which continued to operate until 1981.
In 1929 the tyre company built a magnificent art deco style office building which has recently been refurbished by Graham Technology, its current owners.
Find out more
The Local Studies Library holds a collection of materials relating to the history of Inchinnan, including 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
- write to:
Reference and Local Studies Library
Central Library
68 High Street
Paisley
PA1 2BB
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