A team of experts spent the summer of 2019 excavating at Paisley’s Abbey Drain – but what did they find?

We already knew Scotland’s finest and best-preserved medieval tunnel lies buried beneath Paisley town centre – but the centuries-old mystery of where it ended had never been solved…until now.

The team uncovered a well-preserved 14^th-century stone archway marking the exact point the drain and its contents once flowed into the River Cart.

The tunnel – believed to be around 100m long – ends around 3m from the banks of the present-day river, which would have been wider and shallower at the time the drain was built.

And while the find is now being covered up again, the discovery could help lead to a more permanent visitor attraction opening up access to the drain in the future.

The eight-week Abbey Drain Big Dig was co-ordinated by Renfrewshire Council and led by Guard Archaeology Ltd, funded by National Lottery Heritage Fund, Historic Environment Scotland and Renfrewshire Local History Forum.

More than 6,500 people visited the dig over the eight weeks, which also saw a strong community element, with volunteers from the local history forum taking part, and a series of events and seminars for residents and visitors.

Dig leader Bob Will of Guard Archaeology has described the condition of what the team found as ‘incredible’.

Bob said: “We found more than I was expecting and it is really exciting.

“We found the end of the drain and what was the boundary wall of the monastery. The river was wider and shallower in those days – much more than in the last couple of hundred years, as the walls now surrounding it are artificial.

“The main parts of the drain date back to the mid-14^th-century and are incredibly well preserved. It goes as least as far as the road in front of Renfrewshire House.

“Often these types of drains are in rural areas not urban ones where there will have been pressure on the land above it – but considering the amount of buildings on that site over the centuries, the condition of the drain is quite incredible.”

The Abbey Drain has lain hidden for centuries until it was unexpectedly rediscovered in the 19^th century, and in recent years, it has been periodically opened up for visitors.

There will be an opportunity for the public to put their names forward for a ballot to go inside it during this year’s Doors Open Day in September.

And Bob believes the finds of the past few weeks could help the development of a more permanent attraction opening up a greater degree of public access to the drain.

Bob said: “What we have uncovered has helped us see what could be done with any future excavation. We now know much more about the medieval ground levels and have a good idea where some of the monastery buildings were.

“Ideally there would be more permanent access to the drain at some point in the future and what we’ve uncovered here makes that much more feasible.”

Over the course of the Big Dig, the following community benefits were delivered:

• 120 Primary school children from across Renfrewshire visited the Big Dig to learn about their local heritage and archaeology;
• 1,200 hours of volunteer time, and 18 new members for Renfrewshire Local History Forum
• 12 archaeology students gained vocational training as part of their degree, and four Masters students from UWS produced video content.

The biggest-ever exploration of Paisley’s Abbey Drain is now underway – and hopes to unveil some centuries-old secrets.

An archaeological dig has started at the complex underground structure which links the town’s 850-year-old Abbey to the River Cart.

The Big Dig hopes to uncover more about the passageway and to reveal more about life in Paisley hundreds of years ago.

Initial excavations of the site unearthed the earliest polyphonic musical notation and the largest collection of medieval pottery ever found in the west of Scotland – and it is hoped that this two-month long project will uncover many more secrets.

The dig is managed by Renfrewshire Council, run by Guard Archaeology with help from Renfrewshire Local History Forum volunteers, and supported by funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic Environment Scotland.

Here’s what council leader Iain Nicolson had to say:

“Paisley has such a rich history and heritage, full of stories and mysteries, and the tale of the Abbey Drain has really captured the attention of the public.

“This is a project that’s of both local and national significance. It has really struck a chord with people who live here who have a genuine interest in Renfrewshire’s social and economic history and will provide us with information on a complex underground system which was operating hundreds of years ago.

“This could be the first step towards opening up the Drain as a permanent visitor attraction in the future – which would fit perfectly with the ongoing work to use Paisley’s unique heritage to make it one of Scotland’s key destinations for visitors and events.”

Bob Will of Guard Archaeology is leading the team working on the dig:

“This is such an exciting project for us and for the community, and we’re pleased to be progressing with the next stage.

“Most of the work on the drain so far has been carried out from the inside and has told us a lot about the drain itself.

“What’s going on underneath the surface can also tell us about what once stood on the site, so by excavating the drain, we can find out about the drainage system which served what would have once been a bustling community.

“We’re looking forward to continuing the excavations and to finding out what else the Abbey Drain can tell us about life in Paisley hundreds of years ago.”

How can I get involved?

The Big Dig also includes an extensive programme of activity to involve the local community. Students at the University of the West of Scotland will create a series of short films and a documentary on the drain, and there will also be school visits, volunteering opportunities, and free talks and workshops for the public.

Members of the public will not have access to the drain during the Big Dig – but there will be a chance for residents and visitors to go inside it, as in previous years, during the Doors Open Days weekend on 7 and 8 September.

You may have seen the hit Netflix show Outlaw King telling the story of Robert the Bruce – but did you know Paisley’s medieval Abbey has links to King of Scots and a rich royal heritage?

The Abbey dates back to the 12^th century and is recognised as the ‘Cradle of the Royal House of Stewart’ due to its ties to the family.

Paisley Abbey was founded when Walter Fitzalan, the High Steward of Scotland – whose descendants became the House of Stewart/Stuart – signed a charter for the priory to be set up in land he owned in Paisley in 1163.

Set up on the site of an old Celtic church by 13 monks, the priory was raised to the status of an Abbey in 1245. The Abbey was dedicated to four saints; St. Mary, St. James, St. Milburga and St. Mirin, who brought Christianity to the church site in the 6^th century.

The Abbey would go on to be wealthy and influential under royal patronage, with extensive trade between the Paisley location and commercial centres in Europe. Paisley Abbey would also become a centre for learning. Sir William Wallace, who was a key figure in the Wars of Scottish Independence in the 13th century, is believed to have been educated by the monks of Paisley Abbey.

Much of the original building was burned down in 1307, but it was rebuilt later in the 14th century.

In 1315, Walter Stewart, the 6th High Steward of Scotland, married Marjory Bruce, the daughter of the famous Scottish king Robert the Bruce. The following year, a heavily pregnant Marjory fell while out horse riding near Paisley Abbey. She was taken to the Abbey infirmary where she tragically died, but her unborn child was saved after a caesarean delivery. The child would become King Robert II of Scotland, the first of the Stewart monarchs. This led the Abbey to claim itself as the ‘cradle of the Royal House of Stewart.’

The Stewarts – one of the most enduring royal dynasties in Scottish history – began with Robert II taking the throne as King of Scots in 1371. The Abbey is also the final resting place of six High Stewards of Scotland, Princess Marjory Bruce, the wives of King Robert II and King Robert III.

In 2016, Paisley celebrated its royal connections as the Abbey marked the 700th anniversary as the birthplace of the first Stewart king. A special medieval fayre turned the clocks back to 1316, with the surrounding Abbey Close transformed into a medieval campsite for the day. Visitors could enjoy a working kitchen, hog roast, stocks, custom-made weaponry displays and falconry shows.

You can explore the history of Paisley Abbey for yourself, along with its Gift Shop and Coffee Shop, every Monday to Saturday from 10am to 3pm. Services take place every Sunday at 11am, 12:15pm and 4pm on Sundays, while a host of fabulous events are held at the Abbey throughout the year.

Did you know that there were once Kangaroos in Paisley’s Brodie Park?

The park, which can be found in the south side of Paisley, was gifted to the town by respected banker Robert Brodie in 1870.

It was opened in 1877 by Provost Murray, six years after the death of Robert Brodie, and became instantly popular with locals and visitors.

In 1885, two kangaroos were presented to the town by the Marquis of Bute and arrangements were made to house the animals at Brodie Park.

Local newspaper, the Paisley Daily Express, reported that one of the kangaroos sadly died shortly after its arrival in Paisley. The paper noted that the animal supposedly injured itself on the journey from Rothesay to Paisley on 3 February 1885.

The second kangaroo is believed to have died within a month of arriving in the town due to the harsh winter conditions.

Today, Brodie Park remains a favourite for families and dog walkers and it is also the start point for Paisley’s annual Sma’ Shot Day parade – part of the celebrations at the traditional workers festival.

Did you know that the great Muhammad Ali once fought in Paisley?

The heavyweight boxing champion was just 23 when he arrived at Paisley Ice Rink on August 20, 1965, but the Louisville Lip had the world at his feet after upsetting Sonny Liston to claim the title 18 months earlier.

After defeating Liston in a return bout in May 1965, the former Cassius Clay embarked on an international tour – taking on a number of exhibition matches against his sparring partner and future world champion Jimmy Ellis in a bid to boost his profile.

The tour led Ali to Paisley, but the exhausted champion was booed by disappointed fans at Paisley Ice Rink who believed he was not performing to his usually high standards.

Read the full fascinating story from the point of view of one of Scotland’s most successful boxing promoters and managers, Tommy Gilmour – who was 13 when he met Ali that night in Paisley – with this piece by BBC Scotland News.

To celebrate International Women’s Day we wanted to shine a light on some fantastic women of Renfrewshire’s past and present that helped shape the area.

Agnes Russell

Agnes Russell had the now iconic Russell Institute building constructed in memory of her two brothers Robert and Thomas Russell who died in 1923 and 1920.

She placed no financial restrictions on the building and wanted a distinctive design to allow the building to stand out from everyday architecture. Once the building was completed she donated it to the people of Paisley to be used as a clinic for the welfare of children.

The building was officially opened by H.R.H. Princess Mary, the Princess Royal on 19th March 1927

The Ladies – A,B,C

The Ladies of A, B, C  is a heritage project which investigates the contributions of Jane Arthur, Mary Barbour and women from the famous Coats textiles manufacturing family.

They were remarkable women whose achievements were all too often overlooked by the history books. Through the project their remarkable contribution to the area is being recognised.

Margaret Glen, the wife of Thomas Coats, set up the Paisley branch of the Ladies Sanitary Association, while Mrs Archibald Coats was interested in the work of the Scottish Girl’s Friendly Society. Following her death the Mrs Archibald Coats Memorial Hall was opened in Weighhouse Close.

Bertha Coats was interested in many areas of welfare in the community but particularly with the wellbeing of children and she was recognised for this becoming a Freewoman of Paisley.

SWIFT

Inspirational mums in Ferguslie Park who make up the Strong Women in Ferguslie Together (SWIFT) group had their efforts recognised by Scotland’s Learning Partnership last year.

The group is made up of mums from the local area who want to develop their skills, grow their confidence and give back to others living in Ferguslie Park.

May Donoghue

May was a single mum living in poverty who had lost three children and had one surviving son. She successfully sued the ginger beer manufacturer Stevensons after falling ill when she found a dead snail in a bottle in Paisley’s Wellmeadow café in 1928.

Her actions changed the laws on negligence, not only in her native Scotland, but across the globe.

Paisley-based artists Mandy Macintosh is set to create a bronze statue of May Donoghue to honour the contribution she’s made.

The Stewards, the Coats and the Clarks – three names which left an indelible mark on Paisley and Renfrewshire.

The Stewards were, of course, one of Scotland’s great medieval families, and went on to birth a royal dynasty. The Coats and the Clarks, meanwhile, were the two rival dynasties at the heart of Paisley’s rise as a global textile hub in the 19th Century.

Many of Paisley and Renfrewshire’s landmarks are associated with these three ‘power families’, so today’s Buddies have mapped their impact and documented their history for visitors.

Stewards, Coats & Clarks is an interactive story map developed by Paisley’s Disability Resource Centre and the Reaching Older Adults across Renfrewshire (ROAR) initiative – with support along the way from many others.

But rather than us taking any longer to explain it here, why don’t you dive in for yourself?

Click on the map below to expand the story and follow each of the chapters dedicated to a different family.