What’s On
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’.
This year’s celebrations will take place on Saturday 1 July.
Sma’ Shot Parade
12pm – 12.45pm
Brodie Park to Abbey Close
The parade is co-ordinated by Bridgeman Arts in collaboration with community groups, performers and musicians. The parade is in honour of the Sma’ Shot victory and tells some exciting, undiscovered stories of weavers’ past.
This year, there’s a spotlight on some of the women making waves at the time. This includes Christian Shaw (known as Lady Bargarran) – a Scottish industrialist regarded as the founder of the thread industry in Paisley. As well as Helen McFarlane, a Scottish Chartist, feminist journalist and philosopher.
Burning of the Cork
1.30pm-1.40pm
Bridge Street
A highlight of the day. The greed of the ‘Corks’ (the middlemen between the owners and the weavers) symbolically set alight at the hands of the working weavers in spectacular fashion.
Street performances
Cat Sith
presented by Ludic Acid
1.45pm-2.10pm and 3pm-3.25pm
Abbey Close
Something is prowling through the local streets. Is it an errant endangered Scottish wildcat, an ancient mythical highland spirit or a modern vernacular cryptid perhaps?
Join Sammy, cat catcher extraordinaire, as he tracks and stalks this elusive beast in an interactive, light-hearted, engrossing spectacle.
Ayawara Ensemble (dance and percussion ensemble)
led by Eric Valentin Mauricia
Various times between 2pm-4pm
Abbey Close
Giant puppets and art works from the parade to delight and entertain.
Main Stage
Abbey Close
- Shaz Martin – 12.30pm-12.55pm
- Trade Unions Speeches – 12.55pm-1.05pm
- PACE Youth Theatre presents The Sma’ Shot Story – 1.10pm-1.30pm
- Right2Dance performance – 1.40pm-1.45pm
- RockUs Choir – 1.45pm-2pm
- Hollie Robinson – 2.10pm-2.30pm
- Proposal covers band – 2.40pm-3.20pm
- Ceilidh with Rachel Campbell Trio – 3.30pm-4pm
Activities for kids
Abbey Gardens
All free – no need to book ahead.
Face-painting, balloon-modelling, inflatables and arts & crafts available all afternoon.
Magic Show
Duration: 15 minutes
1.25pm, 2.15pm, 3.05pm
Story Telling
Duration: 15 minutes
1.45pm, 2.35pm, 3.35pm
Sma’ Shot Day at The Art Department
The Art Department, Paisley Centre, 2-10 Causeyside Street, Paisley
Sma’ Shot Feel Good Fair
11am-4pm
The weavers knew their worth! In that tradition, this special ‘feel good fair’ combines creativity and wellbeing for a family friendly day out showcasing local creatives, wellbeing practitioners and community-focused organisations.
The Big Weave with Hector Dyer
12pm-3pm
Join in this mass public weaving session. Sign up for three days of free weaving sessions in advance (27/28/29 June) where you can help create massive looms, weave textiles and learn more about the uprising of 1856.
Join The Good Shout
12pm-3pm
Banner and placard-making workshop with Lil Brookes, local artist and historian. Sign up for this free workshop in advance (Thursday 29 June, 11am-3pm) and make your banner or placard to wave on Sma’ Shot Day.
Sma’ Shot Day at The Bungalow
15 Shuttle Street, Paisley
All free – no need to book ahead.
Live music (various)
12pm-4pm
Silver Threads presented by Evelyn Laurie and Neil Thomson
2pm-3pm
A collection of songs commemorating the rich heritage of Paisley, its people and history. Created by fellow buddies, Evelyn Laurie and Neil Thomson, it includes songs old and new by local heroes including Robert Tannahill and Danny Kyle as well as new compositions.
Sma’ Shot Poetry Slam
3.30pm-6pm
Tea Dance
Methodist Central Halls, 2 Gauze Street, Paisley
1.30pm-4pm
John Findlay will be on keyboards for a great afternoon of fun and dance!
Free tickets available to collect in-person from Paisley Central Library from Tuesday 30 May. Maximum 6 tickets per person.
Sma’ Shot Cottages
2 Sma’ Shot Lane, Paisley
Tours from 12pm – 4pm
Just drop in – no need to book ahead.
Your opportunity to see how the weavers worked and lived. Come along and learn more before enjoying a cuppa and some home baking in the tea room and a wander around the gift shop.
Road closures for Sma’ Shot Day
Friday 30 June 2023 from 0800 hours until Saturday 1 July 2023 until 2100 hours – Closure
- Bridge Street/Cotton Street, from Bridge Street car Park to the access into the Renfrewshire House Car Park.
- Bridge Street Car Park.
Friday 30 June 2023 from 0800 hours until Saturday 1 July 2023 until 2100 hours – Closure
- Abbey Close, from Cotton Street to Gauze Street.
Waiting and Loading ban on Saturday 1 July 2023 from 0001 hours until Saturday 2359 hours and Closure on Saturday from 1130 hours until 1330 hours
- Braids Road, from Falside Road to Neilston Road.
- Neilston Road, from Lochfield Road to Causeyside Street.
- Causeyside Street, from Neilston Road to St Mirren Street.
- St Mirren Street, from Causeyside Street to High Street.
- High Street, from St Mirren Street to Gauze Street.
- Gauze Street, from High Street to Lawn Street.
- Cotton Street, from Bridge Street to Gauze Street.
- Smithhills Street, from Gauze Street to Weir Street.
- Underwood Road (north side only), from Well Street to Caledonia Street. (Parking Restrictions Only)
- Abercorn Street (west side only), from Weir Street to Niddry Street (Parking Restrictions Only)
Vehicles left on the road in contravention of this Notice will be moved out of the works area.
Alternative Routes: Gauze Street, Mill Street or vice versa.
