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Sma’ Shot Day

Saturday 5 July, 2025

  • Young people perform at Sma' Shot Day 2024
  • The Northern Lights dazzles the skies above Renfrewshire
  • Crowds on Causeyside Street watch Sma' Shot Day 2023 parade
  • Renfrewshire Makar Shaun Moore performs at Sma' Shot Day 2023
  • Band perform onstage at Sma' Shot Day 2023

Sma’ Shot Day is Paisley’s annual celebration of the historic victory of local weavers in a famous dispute.

Sma’ Shot Day is celebrated on the first Saturday of each July. This was when weaving families would traditionally take their holiday ‘doon the watter’.

Join us on Saturday 5 July for Paisley’s day—we’ve got lots going on!

Sma’ Shot Day Parade

12pm-1pm
Starts Brodie Park | Ends Abbey Close 

Co-ordinated by Bridgeman Arts in collaboration with community groups, performers and musicians. the parade returns to Paisley town centre. 

The parade brings to life the traditional weaver’s celebration in honour of the victory, and tells some exciting, undiscovered stories of weavers’ past. 

The parade will include the traditional Sma Shot banners that exemplify aspects of weavers’ history in Paisley, as well as contemporary banners that have been created by community groups over the years. We expect more than 250 individuals to participate in the parade. Groups joining on the day include:

  • Ayawara Band 
  • Cameron School of Dance 
  • Living Rent 
  • Loud n Proud
  • PACE Youth Theatre
  • Paisley Rugby Club  
  • Pals of the Privies 
  • Renfrewshire Carer’s Centre 
  • Right2dance 
  • RockUs Community Choir 
  • STAR Project 
  • Tannahill Centre Kids 
  • University of the Third Age 
  • Waspi Women 

2025 will showcase two new giant puppets, the first inspired by traditional musicians of the time and the second inspired by poet figures such as the ‘Bàrd Phàislig’ or ‘The Paisley Bard’, Donald ‘Ruadh’ MacIntyre, one of the most famous bards (poets) of the 20th century who was thought to be as talented as poets such as the weaver poet Robert Tannahill. These giant puppets will appear in the parade and again in Abbey Close, entertaining attendees throughout the event. 

Burning of the Cork 

1.30pm-1.45pm
Outside Renfrewshire House, Cotton Street

The Burning of the Cork, a highlight of our Sma’ Shot celebrations, will be preceded by a performance from Tannahill Makar, Shaun Moore.

Followed by a dance performance from young people from local dance group right2dance.

Tea Dance

1pm – 3pm

For those that fancy a dance, make sure to get tickets for the Tea Dance at the Methodist Central Hall. Tickets are free and can be collected from Paisley Central Library. Tea, coffee and biscuits will be provided.

Abbey Close

There will be stalls, family friendly entertainment and small funfair rides from 12 noon until 4pm art Abbey Close. You can find the following stalls:

  • BaliCraft 
  • Cherry on Top 
  • The Crafty Cow 
  • Fab Fancies 
  • Food in the Hood
  • Gift Shop for Ukraine 
  • Home Start Renfrewshire 
  • Industrial Workers of the World 
  • Legacy Comps 
  • Lorna Carroll 
  • Maggie’s Magic Faces 
  • Mama Mos Bows
  • Mary’s Meals   
  • OnlyDesigns UK 
  • Paisley Community Labour Party 
  • Paisley Drinks Coompany 
  • Pen Corner 
  • Richard Footitt 
  • ShopMobility Renfrewshire 
  • Silly Cookie 
  • Susan’s Handmade Scents 
  • Three Sisters Bake 
  • Threepwood Fayre 
  • Unison Renfrewshire 
  • The Urban Historian

Street Theatre
12.30pm-3.30pm

Surreal McCoy presents The Seagulls  

  • First performance – 12.30pm  
  • Second performance – 2pm
  • Third performance – 3.15pm 

Stage programme
12pm-4pm
MC – Shaun Moore, Tannahill Makar 

  • 12pm-12.30pm – Pauline Vallance
  • 12.30pm-1.00pm – Evelyn Laurie and Neil Thomson (Songs from Silver Threads)  
  • 1pm-1.15pm – Parade comes in
  • 1.15pm-1.30pm – Evelyn Laurie and Neil Thomson (Songs from Silver Threads)
  • 1.30pm-1.45pm – Burning of the Cork and right2dance
  • 1.45pm-1.55pm – Trade union speeches
  • 1.55pm-2.15pm – PACE Youth Theatre Sma’ Shot story re-enactment 
  • 2.15pm-2.45pm – Sharon Martin 
  • 3pm-4pm – Byres Road Big Band

Pop-up Performances – outside Paisley Abbey
1pm-4pm

  • 1pm-1.30pm – Adam Slattery and Hollie Robinson
  • 1.45pm-2.15pm – Caitlin Bonner Dance 
  • 2pm-2.30pm – Kara Ferguson 
  • 2.30pm-3pm – Happilele Ukelele Band 
  • 3pm-3.30pm – Alaine & Jamie 
  • 3.30pm-4pm – Jennifer Scott Dance  

Pop-up Performances – at Restoration & Creation, Browns Lane
12pm-6pm 

  • 12.00 – 1.00pm: Charlie Gormley
  • 1.00 – 1.30pm – Jodie Hillcoat
  • 2.00 – 2.30pm – Pauline Vallance
  • 2.30 – 3.00pm – Kieran Hepburn
  • 3.00 – 3.30pm – Kara Ferguson
  • 3.30-4.00pm – Happilele Ukelele Band
  • 4.00 – 4.30pm- Evelyn Laurie & Neil Thomson (Songs from Silver Threads) 
  • 4.30 – 5.00pm – Alaine & Jamie
  • 5.00 – 5.30pm – Matt Fotheringham

Children’s Entertainment
12pm-4pm 

  • Inflatables, kiddie funfair rides, face painting and arts and crafts activities including kite, badge and wand-making with Big Al Events.  
  • OneRen’s super Skoobmobile with lots of fun, games and summer reading! 

Sma’ Shot Cottages Tours

Open from 10am-4pm
Sma’ Shot Cottages, George Place

Jump back in time and discover what life was truly like as a Paisley weaver at Sma’ Shot Cottages. These cottages are a must-see historical treasure in Renfrewshire. Enjoy a guided tour, light lunches and home baking.

Restoration & Creation

Artisan Market
10am-6pm
Courtyard, Browns Lane

Come along and soak up the atmosphere, join a host of talented creatives and market stalls and enjoy the day! You will find some of Paisley’s hidden treasures in Browns Lane, filled with unique and sustainable products.

Children’s Workshops
10am-4pm
The workshops are free but booking is required. Suitable for ages 5-12 years. Book your place at www.restorationcreation.com.

Sma’ Shot Paper Mache Light
10am-11am
Let your children unleash their creativity and join us for a hands-on workshop where they can craft their very own stylish Paisley Lamp for their rooms.

Sma’ Shot Gems
11.30am-12.30pm
Kids can create their very own stylish bracelet and school bag charm. It’s the perfect activity to spark creativity and allow your child to express themselves.

Peacock Wall Art
1.30-2.30pm
Join us, unleash your creativity, and add charm to your home décor. Be inspired, laugh, and make a statement with Restoration Creation.

Van Gogh Painting Workshop
3pm-4pm   
A unique experience where you can come along and paint your own painting of Van Gogh coming to Paisley. This activity is perfect for kids and a fun way to celebrate Paisley on Sma’ Shot Day.

Sma’ Shot Poetry Slam

Paisley Arts Centre
5 July 2025
6pm

Celebrating TEN years of poetry, power & Paisley pride. Join us for a riot of rhyme, rhythm and revolution as the Sma’ Shot Poetry Slam returns to Paisley Arts Centre for its 10th birthday!

Part of Sma’ Shot Day – one of Scotland’s most radical heritage celebrations – this high-energy poetry slam brings together voices from across the country for a night of spoken word that’s bold, brave and brilliantly unforgettable.

Want to be one of the slammers? We’re open for sign-ups! Email Shaun Moore at shaun.moore-oneren@renfrewshire.gov.uk to put your name down.

Whether you’re a seasoned performer or stepping up for the first time — this is your stage.

Humorous and adult-themed content; not suitable for children

This is a free, but ticketed, event. For tickets please visit Sma’ Shot Poetry Slam.

Live music

The Keg – Gilmour Street, Paisley
9pm
Free entry

Local band MrdB will rock The Keg with their catchy sing- along songs along with a few well known popular covers in a free night of live music. 

This year’s Sma’ Shot Day will be supported by Unison Renfrewshire Branch.