94% of secondary school pupils take part in cultural, sporting and leisure activities outwith the school curriculum 
Annual report 2006/2007 Paisley Museum
Home > Services > Leisure and Culture > Museums and Galleries
Paisley Museum opened in 1871. The building was designed by the well-known Glasgow architect John Honeyman and was paid for by Sir Peter Coats of the famous Coats thread manufacturing family.
We house a wealth of treasures, from Ancient Egyptian artefacts to reminders of our industrial past and our natural heritage.
Among our treasures, pride of place goes to The Arbuthnott Missal and our unique textile collection. The Paisley Shawl Collection cared for by Renfrewshire Arts and Museums Service is a Recognised Collection of National Significance to Scotland.
More information about our collections can be found in this area of the website.
We house a wealth of treasures, from Ancient Egyptian artefacts to reminders of our industrial past and our natural heritage.
Among our treasures, pride of place goes to The Arbuthnott Missal and our unique textile collection. The Paisley Shawl Collection cared for by Renfrewshire Arts and Museums Service is a Recognised Collection of National Significance to Scotland.
More information about our collections can be found in this area of the website.
At Paisley Museum you'll also find the Art Galleries and the Coats Observatory, one of only four public observatories in the country.
Getting here
Paisley Museum location mapThe venue is easily accessible via public transport, and is only a five minute walk from Paisley Gilmour Street Station, just ten minutes by regular rail service from Glasgow Central Station.
You can plan your journey simply by using the Traveline Scotland website
Admission to Paisley Museum is free.
Exhibitions and displays
We organise a year-round programme of varied temporary exhibitions, please check the 'what's on' section. Only a small proportion of our collections can be on display at any one time, if there is something you'd like to arrange to see please contact our curatorial team.
Education and events
We regularly organise free talks and lectures, and we have dedicated teams of arts professionals and museum education specialists working to enrich our community.
Venue Hire
If you are looking for a unique, cultural setting for an event then nothing can compare to Paisley Museum. The Lecture Hall and The Studio are perfect for receptions and buffets. In our Main Gallery, Scotland's eighth largest collection provides an impressive backdrop for your event. Link to further information and hire costs.
Open hours
- Tuesday - Saturday (and public holidays) 10am - 5pm
- Sunday 2pm - 5pm
Contact us
- Email ram.els@renfrewshire.gov.uk
- Phone 0141 887 1010 (information and box office)
- Phone 0141 889 3151 (Curators, Outreach and Cultural Co-ordinators, and shop)
- Paisley Museum High Street, Paisley PA1 2BA
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