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Historical Renfrewshire maps
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The Local Studies Library map collection contains
maps and plans of Renfrewshire from around 1490
to the present day.
The earliest map in our collection is a plan of Paisley between 1490 and 1545 drawn from the Chartulary
of Paisley Abbey.
Pre-Ordnance Survey maps and plans
We have copies of Renfrewshire maps from successful surveyors Timothy Pont and John Ainslie as well as
local surveyors, Charles Ross and James Knox. These pre-Ordnance Survey maps cover the period from
1490 until 1839.
maps and plans of Renfrewshire from around 1490
to the present day.
The earliest map in our collection is a plan of Paisley between 1490 and 1545 drawn from the Chartulary
of Paisley Abbey.
Pre-Ordnance Survey maps and plans
We have copies of Renfrewshire maps from successful surveyors Timothy Pont and John Ainslie as well as
local surveyors, Charles Ross and James Knox. These pre-Ordnance Survey maps cover the period from
1490 until 1839.
Ordnance Survey
The first national, professionally produced maps were drawn by Ordnance Survey (OS) for Scotland between 1845 and 1878. Most of the Renfrewshire maps carry survey dates between 1856 and 1858.
As part of the first OS edition, very detailed maps of Paisley were produced, at the large scale of 1:500. The ground floor layout is shown for some of the larger buildings, for example the poorhouse and the prison. Paisley is the only town in present day Renfrewshire that was mapped on this scale and only for the 1856-58 edition.
The first national, professionally produced maps were drawn by Ordnance Survey (OS) for Scotland between 1845 and 1878. Most of the Renfrewshire maps carry survey dates between 1856 and 1858.
As part of the first OS edition, very detailed maps of Paisley were produced, at the large scale of 1:500. The ground floor layout is shown for some of the larger buildings, for example the poorhouse and the prison. Paisley is the only town in present day Renfrewshire that was mapped on this scale and only for the 1856-58 edition.
The first OS edition has a Name Book for each parish containing useful information including:
- natural features
- industrial sites
- settlements and buildings
- on occasions, the name of the property owner or occupier
- Houston
- Inchinnan
- Kilbarchan
- Lochwinnoch
- Neilston
- Renfrew
- Johnstone
- Paisley (in two parts)
The OS maps are in various scales including:
- 1:10560 from 1857 to the 1940s
- 1:2500 from 1857 to the 1970s
- 1:5000 for more recent maps
Goad Plans provide detailed information about town centres and main shopping areas, including the occupiers of shops and their businesses. The plans date from 1982 until present. Our collection includes goad plans for:
- Paisley
- Renfrew
- Johnstone
Our collection also includes specialised maps for Renfrewshire, covering geology and archaeology and some unusual maps, including the Paisley Scout Map.
All of these maps and plans are available to view in the Local Studies Library.
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