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Archaeology in Renfrewshire
Home > About Renfrewshire > Our history and heritage > Historic Buildings and Locations
Renfrewshire has many sites of archaeological interest. The West of Scotland Archaeology Service (WOSAS) maintain a record of more than 1000 of these sites on behalf of Renfrewshire Council and information about them is available online on the WOSAS website.
Below are a few examples of Renfrewshire's rich archaeological heritage.
Armorial panel
In the pedestrianised section of Paisley's High Street, look up to the roof of number 22. Above the centre window of the three attic windows, a grey sandstone carved armorial panel is set into the yellow sandstone of this 19th century building. Its weathered appearance suggests that it has been inserted from an earlier building. The panel displays the coat of arms of the Sempills of Elliotstoun and has similarities to the armorial panel above the tomb of John, 1st Lord Sempill, in the Collegiate Church at Lochwinnoch.
Stanely Castle
Stanely Castle in Paisley is a typical example of a Scottish tower house. It was built by the Maxwell family in the early 15th century, with an extension added in the 16th century. The four floors included a kitchen with a massive fireplace, a Great Hall, bed chambers for the family and accommodation for servants.There would originally have been a parapet walk around the top of the castle, including a platform or 'bartizan' protruding above the castle door to allow oil to be poured down on those below! The castle was no longer used as a residence by the middle of the 17th century, and was derelict by 1691. In 1838 the Earl of Glasgow sold the castle and surrounding land to the Paisley Water Company for the construction of the reservoir in which it now sits.
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Cup and ring markings
In Craigston Woods between Elderslie and Johnstone there are a group of ancient markings on a sloping sandstone outcrop. The markings are a group of 'cup and ring' markings. They date from some time between the late Neolithic period and the Bronze age, approximately 2300BC to 1500BC, and are found in sites in the north of Britain and in Ireland. The marks have puzzled archaeologists for many years and their true meaning is unclear, although most agree that they are likely to be religious or territorial symbols.
The Barochan Cross
The Barochan Cross is an impressive free-standing sandstone cross about 3.4 metres (11 feet) tall, estimated to date from as early as the 8th century. It once stood at Barochan, near Houston, but you can now see it inside Paisley Abbey. The cross was moved there for safekeeping and to prevent further damage by the weather to its detailed carvings. The carvings are principally interlace, but with panels of human and animal sculpture.
The Barochan Cross is an impressive free-standing sandstone cross about 3.4 metres (11 feet) tall, estimated to date from as early as the 8th century. It once stood at Barochan, near Houston, but you can now see it inside Paisley Abbey. The cross was moved there for safekeeping and to prevent further damage by the weather to its detailed carvings. The carvings are principally interlace, but with panels of human and animal sculpture.
Find out more
For more information on these or other historic buildings and sites in Renfrewshire, 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
