Ken Mathie has been a fundraiser  at ACCORD Hospice in Paisley for almost 17 years.

Here, he tells you what he loves about his hometown and what makes the area so special.

Tell us about yourself and what you do

I was born in the town and, apart from a couple of years working in Edinburgh I have lived in our community all of my life. After school I attended Paisley College of Technology before working as a Sales Manager, mostly in the wine trade for almost 20 years. I’ve been a fundraiser  at ACCORD for almost 17 years and am now in charge of Income Generation, primarily through making strategy decisions concerning our shops, lottery and fundraising events.

Outwith work I have an eclectic range of hobbies and interests including St Mirren, Glasgow Warriors, golf, curling, historical fiction and attending rock music concerts.

I have two daughters, one of whom has followed in my footsteps into fundraising. The other one has more sense and is a research scientist.

What makes Paisley/Renfrewshire a great place to visit/live/invest/study/work?

The people! – great sense of humour, generous, welcoming. There’s lots to see, lots to do and great opportunities, especially for businesses with a supportive Chamber and Council. There are huge learning opportunities for all with two major institutions, as well as being a great location with good transport links.

If someone was visiting here, where would you recommend them to go?

ACCORD’s charity shops! (lol)

Coat’s Observatory

Paisley Abbey

Weaver’s Cottage

Tannahill’s Cottage

Sma Shot Cottage

Cardosi’s

Pendulum

Trattoria Genova

When we say ‘Paisley is…’ how would you finish the sentence?

‘Patterned to be a great place’

Our very own award-winning photographer Gary Chittick is back with some truly stunning shots showcasing the very best of Renfrewshire in summertime.

Well here we are almost at summer. The weather for the May bank holiday weekend looks decent and with the long days, it’s a great time to get out and about and see the area or get yourself to one of the many events happening around Renfrewshire.

It’s a terrific time of year for photography with all of the spring new-borns growing up, seasonal spring and summer birds coming home, cherry blossom on the trees and bluebells on the ground. The weather usually improves too, so it’s a great time to get outside and enjoy Renfrewshire.

I thought I’d share a few images from Renfrewshire from around this time of year and I hope you enjoy them.

Sunrise

With the longer days, it means that sunrise gets earlier and earlier until we reach the summer solstice on Thursday 21 June when the sun will rise at 4:31am and set at 10:06pm. Unfortunately, this means that the alarm call for sunrise is at a ridiculous time (for me anyway) although the benefit is quiet roads and near perfect silence apart from the wonderful dawn chorus of birds.

This image is taken from Paisley’s Saucelhill Park looking North East over the Abbey Mill Business Centre about 15 minutes after sunrise. Seeing the sun creep over the horizon was a fantastic sight and the horizon was ablaze with oranges and reds. It’s very peaceful watching a sunrise or sunset and if you can get yourself out of bed, I highly recommend it!

British Pipe Band Championships

After managing to get back to bed for a couple of hours after sunrise, I wanted to make sure I got down and experience the British Pipe Band Championships at St James Playing Fields in Paisley. This was the third year the event has been held in Paisley and the great news is there is at least another three years to experience this fantastic event in the town. My uncle played in the Texas Caledonia Pipe Band and competed at the Worlds in Glasgow, so I’ve always had a soft spot for pipe bands. A terrific event, glorious weather, lots of great music, talented performers and thousands of people enjoying what Paisley has to offer.

I’ve chosen an image that I think shows the concentration, professionalism and fun atmosphere at the event. A great day out for the family!

Wildlife on Gleniffer Braes

Before the weather changed recently, we still had some snow visible on the hills of Loch Lomond and beyond and this made an interesting background for the famous highland cattle on the Gleniffer Braes. They were clearly not minding the weather and wondering what had happened to Spring! The cattle have been grazing there and playing their part in biodiversity for nearly 60 years. They are as much a fixture in the town as many of the familiar landmarks and legends. The Gleniffer Braes are a fantastic place for walks and to take in the spectacular views over Paisley, Renfrewshire and beyond.

Noctilucent Clouds

Something that you may be able to see from Renfrewshire between late May and early July are noctilucent (also known as Polar Mesospheric or “night shining”) clouds. These are a unique type of bright clouds that are found at around 250,000ft. They are most commonly observed around 1-2 hours after sunset or before sunrise in the North, although they can extend East and West.

The most common form I’ve watched from Renfrewshire have long, delicate, ripple and wave type structures which you can see in the image I’ve chosen from last year’s season. They are a mesmerising and fantastic sight and you might well have seen them without knowing what they were.

Look out for these now as the “season” for them is just starting!

Sunset

It feels right to end with a sunset and Paisley and Renfrewshire have all manner of viewpoints to watch the sun go down. You have probably seen some terrific images taken from Barshaw Park, the Robertson Car Park on the Gleniffer Braes, the Erskine Bridge and Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park to name a few but I’ve chosen one from Saucelhill Park as a recent favourite.

The views over the town from here are terrific in almost all directions and it’s a really great spot from which to appreciate the architecture and skyline of the town. This image was taken looking North West over the skyline towards Loch Lomond and Argyll. Just like the sunrise image from the same location, I highly recommend watching the sun set over the town from here.

It’s Record Store Day 2018 and music lovers all over the world will be flocking to their local store to get their hands on rare vinyl and new releases.

Paisley’s Feel The Groove is taking part in this year’s Record Store Day and the Causeyside Street favourite will be stocking hundreds of new releases to mark the day.

The town has a rich musical heritage with a host of top names and iconic songs holding close connections to Paisley.

The iconic saxophone solo in Gerry Rafferty’s Baker Street instantly comes to mind when you think of Paisley and music, but the town’s thriving rock and pop scene has seen a host of newer acts emerge in recent times – including a certain Paolo Nutini.

From Rafferty to Nutini and Kellie Marie to The Vegan Leather, we’ve pulled together a Paisley music playlist that will definitely get your feet tapping.

Gerry Rafferty – Baker Street

Who doesn’t love that saxophone solo? Widely considered as one of the greatest rock songs of all time, Baker Street was written by Paisley singer-songwriter Gerry Rafferty for his second solo album, City to City, in 1978. The song is inspired by Rafferty’s travels between his family home in Paisley and London, where he regularly stayed at a flat on Baker Street.

Paolo Nutini – Last Request

The first single from Paolo Nutini’s acclaimed debut album These Streets, in 2006. Last Request was an instant hit and took the revered Paisley son to No. 5 in the UK Singles Chart. Paolo celebrated a musical return to Paisley last year, with a special homecoming charity gig in the stunning setting of the town’s 850-year-old Abbey.

Stealers Wheel – Stuck in the Middle with You

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DohRa9lsx0Q&index=3&list=PLQK3AMeHVWkJ8RMDUQ4S8LxhD41X4xQi5

An absolute classic! Stuck in the Middle… was written by Gerry Rafferty and fellow Paisley Buddie, Joe Egan, and was originally performed by their band Stealers Wheel. Released way back in 1973, the single gained chart success in the UK and internationally and is often heard in film and TV shows today.

Kelly Marie – Feels Like I’m in Love

Try not to dance, we dare you. Paisley girl Kelly Marie’s floor filler, Feels Like I’m in Love, was a smash hit in the club scene before going on to top the UK Singles Chart in September 1980. Written by Ray Dorset of British rock group Mungo Jerry, the song was originally intended for Elvis Presley but he died before it could be pitched to him.

David Sneddon – Stop Living the Lie

Paisley’s David Sneddon shot to fame after winning the first series of BBC music competition Fame Academy in 2002. The singer-songwriter would then go on to release his first single, Stop Living the Lie, in 2003. The song instantly went to No.1, selling over 250,000 copies. The singer would step away from life as a pop star, instead focusing on his work as a songwriter, penning songs for top names including Lana Del Rey and Newton Faulkner.

Lisa Kowalski – Hearts of Gold

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F19NLO8NsPs&index=6&list=PLQK3AMeHVWkJ8RMDUQ4S8LxhD41X4xQi5

The 18-year-old rising star took to the Paisley streets where she honed her craft for her first music video, Hearts of Gold. The song finds Lisa reminiscing about her experiences of busking in the town since she was 14. It’s been a big 12 months for the Paisley singer as she reached the final of Salute Music UK competition and performed in New York as part of the famous Tartan Day 2018 celebrations.

The Vegan Leather – Shake It

Grab your dancing shoes and get your hips shaking with another top tune from Paisley. Since forming in 2014, The Vegan Leather have been making waves in the Scottish scene with their blend of eclectic art pop. This year is set to be even bigger and better for the disco-synth quartet – definitely one to keep an eye on.

Hellfire and Meadows – The Bungalow Bar

Join Hellfire and Meadows for a trip down memory lane. Released as part of a special album of originally recorded songs to mark Paisley’s bid to be UK City of Culture 2021, The Bungalow Bar harks back to Paisley’s punk past and the town’s iconic music venue where top bands including The Skids, Simple Minds and Aztec Camera performed in the 1970s and 80s.

Dogtooth – Rebel

Another one to look out for – local band Dogtooth have captured the imagination of audiences across the country with their brand of energetic indie-Mod belters. Dogtooth were also among the 12 bands to appear on the special Paisley 2021 album and you can hear their amazing single Rebel above.

Paisley Music TV – Johnny Barr (ft. Calum Ingram, Shaun Moore) – ‘You Let Go’

And finally, another great way to see emerging local talent is with the fantastic Paisley Music TV. The new project – by Create Paisley and funded by Renfrewshire’s Culture, Heritage and Events Fund – shows local musicians performing live at iconic Paisley locations, including the Town Hall and Coats Memorial Church. Created by young people, the videos showcase the diverse range of talent in the area’s thriving music scene. Take a look at this video from PMTV’s first session with Johnny Barr (ft. Calum Ingram, Shaun Moore) and his song You Let Go.

Watch the Paisley Playlist in full on our new YouTube account!

Paisley son John Byrne is widely celebrated for his work as an artist and writer but the 78-year-old now has another label to add to the list – as Scotland’s most stylish man.

The Slab Boys and Tutti Frutti creator was hailed as “authentically and effortlessly cool” by judges as he was crowned with the title at the Scottish Style Awards this week.

Byrne beat off competition from a host of nominees for the award, including Outlander star Sam Heughan, musician Kayus Bankole, adventurer Aldo Kane, blogger John Robertson and artist Philip Colbert.

The awards celebrate style and creativity in its broadest sense and this year’s glittering ceremony took place at Glasgow’s Kelvingrove Art Gallery.

Paisley has held strong ties with the awards since it launched in 2005. The title of Scotland’s Most Stylish Man was previously won by actor James McAvoy, who is a former member of Paisley’s PACE Youth Theatre, and singer-songwriter Paolo Nutini – carrying on the town’s tradition of stylish men.

John Byrne, who is also well-known for designing album covers for Paisley musician Gerry Rafferty, The Beatles Donovan and Billy Connolly, is often seen sporting dapper tweedy suits and cravats.

The John Byrne Drawing Competition Exhibition is currently running at Paisley Museum, encouraging children and young people to be inspired and learn from Byrne’s artistic style.

You can find out more about the exhibition with Renfrewshire Leisure.

You may have seen the fantastic LEGO films by local animator Morgan Spence on BBC Worldwide and Jimmy Kimmel Live – or through Paisley’s bid for UK City of Culture 2021.

As part of the bid campaign, Morgan brought some of the Paisley’s most famous names and places to life using LEGO and stop-motion animation.

Find out more about the talented teenager’s work and what he loves about his hometown with his blog.

Tell us about yourself and what you do:

My name is Morgan Spence and I am a local animator. I produce commissioned stop-motion animations for businesses and individuals using the popular children’s toy, LEGO. I’ve worked for the likes of BBC Worldwide, the British Red Cross and Jimmy Kimmel Live. In 2017, I created a film to support Paisley’s bid to become UK City of Culture in 2021, bringing to life some of the town’s most iconic faces and architecture.

What makes Paisley/Renfrewshire a great place to visit/live/invest/study/work?

Paisley is a great place to live, especially as a young person. I’ve had connections to the town throughout my life and have benefited from the support networks in the town that aim to help develop young talent in the creative industry. Through my involvement with the 2021 UK City of Culture bid, the team at Renfrewshire Council offered an amazing platform to help promote my film-making work. Initiatives such as the Culture, Heritage & Events Fund (CHEF) also supported my work and allowed me to hold a number of animation workshops in Renfrewshire primary schools.

What makes the area special?

I think Paisley is special because it has historically punched above its weight. Paisley has offered so much to Scotland, the UK and the world that other towns of its size simply haven’t been able to do. From pioneering inventors to leaders in arts and culture, I feel that the town has truly made its mark.

If someone was visiting here, where would you recommend they go?

I’d be sure to recommend the tours of the Coats Observatory. The winter viewing evenings are amazing and a great way to learn about the night sky through the powerful telescope. It’s also the oldest public observatory in the country – definitely worth a look! The Paisley museum is also a great shout, with a number of interesting exhibitions throughout the year.

The best hidden gem or untold story in Paisley/Renfrewshire is…?

Muhammad Ali, ‘The Greatest’, once fought in Paisley, believe it or not! And anytime you withdraw cash from an ATM, remember the man behind the invention, James Goodfellow, was a Paisley buddy!

When we say ‘Paisley is…’, how you would finish the sentence?

Paisley is…thriving! Over the last number of years there’s been a remarkable change in positivity towards the town, with the bid to become UK City of Culture highlighting all that’s been achieved by Paisley buddies throughout history. The bid has certainly helped to put Paisley on the map. From here the only way is up!

Gary Chittick is an award-winning photographer who has an eye for capturing stunning images.

Camera in hand, Gary regularly enjoys exploring Renfrewshire and capturing as much of the local landscapes, townscapes and architecture as possible.

Here, he tells you about his passion for photography and what he loves about the local area.

Tell us about yourself and what you do

I live in Paisley and work for Renfrewshire Council as a Senior Service Delivery Officer as part of the Customer and Business Services Team. I’ve grown up and lived in the area all of my life and it’s important to me to have the chance to be involved with and contribute to my local community. This means I am aware of what is going on in the area and I can both support initiatives and also spend locally, which helps our businesses. I am a keen aurora-chaser, walker and (ageing) footballer and in previous months I was regularly seen on Scottish hills and mountains with my Paisley 2021 cards and flags, trying to spread the message!

I am also a photographer and in the last few years I’ve been exploring as much of the Renfrewshire area that I can, alongside regular trips across Scotland and beyond, often chasing aurora. My main focus is on landscapes and townscapes which can be created uniquely for individuals or businesses as well as for general appeal. I’m fortunate to have had images used by VisitScotland and local Scottish businesses in recent years as well as winning a national Scotrail competition last year. This year I’m proud to have had a Renfrewshire image highly commended in the Scottish Landscape Photographer of the year award.

What makes Paisley/Renfrewshire a great place to visit/live/invest/study/work?

Paisley is a great place to work as there is very good transport around the town centre area, there are a range of lunchtime options indoors and out and it’s easy to get most of what you’d need in the town centre.

Renfrewshire is a great place for photography because of the diverse range of subjects day or night, from architecture, buildings and skylines, parks, wide open spaces, lochs and rivers to nature and wildlife.

What makes the area special?

Paisley and Renfrewshire is special for me because of the unique blend of outdoor space and landscapes, year round events, town centre facilities and the huge diversity of historical buildings and the stories behind them.

If someone was visiting here, where would you recommend they go?

I’d recommend a visit to Paisley Abbey and Paisley Museum, some lunch in Trattoria Genova and a walk up to Barshaw Park or Saucel Hill to appreciate the skyline.

The best hidden gem or untold story in Paisley/Renfrewshire is…

Oakshaw. Many paths lead to Oakshaw but not everyone thinks to explore this beautiful area which is one of the oldest inhabited places in Paisley and is only a stones throw from the town centre. Many of Paisley’s most impressive buildings can be found here and it’s well worth exploring.

When we say ‘Paisley is…’, how you would finish the sentence?

Vibrant.

From the excitement and buzz of the Paisley 2021 campaign, to the year round events in the town centre, to the passion and enthusiasm of old and new local businesses and cultural groups, to the colourful murals in Browns Lane and around the town and to the gallus and welcoming attitude of Buddies around town, there is an air of positivity and opportunity in the town.

Gary’s pictures are not available for use without his permission.

Carol Burt is the founder of I Am Me Scotland – a charity that was born in Renfrewshire in 2013 to help raise awareness of disability hate crime.

Here, she tells you more about the work of the charity and what makes this area a great place to live, work and visit.

Tell us about yourself and what you do

I Am Me Scotland is a Renfrewshire born and based charity which works with a range of partners to raise awareness of the range of disabilities, the effects of bullying and the consequences of hate crime.

There are three full time and one part time staff who are all Renfrewshire residents. The charity is led by a fantastic community committee and a Board of Trustee’s who bring an extensive range of personal and professional experience and expertise.

We have two key initiatives; I Am Me, a wide range of training resources and accompanying films, and, Keep Safe, a partnership with Police Scotland to create a network of Keep Safe places for anyone feeling lost, scared or vulnerable when out in the community.

What makes Paisley/Renfrewshire a great place to visit/live/invest/study/work?

We love working in Renfrewshire, not only does it reduce our travel time, but we get to work in a community that we care about and are very much a part of.

What makes the area special?

Paisley is a great place to live and work.  We are spoilt, not only with the beautiful architecture, namely the Mills and the fantastic Abbey – which we can see from our office window – but also the wonderful people.  The community and business support we have received for the charity has helped us develop from a local charity to a nationally recognised charity with Keep Safe currently being rolled out across Scotland.

If someone was visiting here, where would you recommend they go?

There are lots of places to visit in Renfrewshire, but we would definitely be recommending downloading our free Keep Safe Scotland phone app (shameless plug) where you can map out all of our Keep Safe partners across Renfrewshire.  Keep Safe places are volunteer community buildings and businesses who have been checked, approved and trained to be a safe place for anyone who may be lost, scared or vulnerable when out in the community.  Keep Safe places range from café’s, Bar’s, Libraries, shops, restaurants etc and are all definitely worth a visit.  We would also recommend popping in to see Buddie the Lion at Paisley Museum.  That Lion is older than us…. And that’s saying something!

The best hidden gem or untold story in Paisley/Renfrewshire is…

Oooohhh  there are lots, but definitely the story of the witches, the French toast and bacon from Woodlands café, the wee Spanish restaurant on Silk Street, Bernies in Bridge of Weir, the accessible cutlery at Hamishes Hoose, the Ski slopes at SOAR, the Beer Festival, the Food and Drink Festival and Redss home made cupcakes.

When we say ‘Paisley is…’, how you would finish the sentence?

Our wee Town 🙂

Morag Thow is the events organiser for the Lochwinnoch Arts Festival.

Here, she tells you all about the amazing things to see and do in the village – and what makes it so special.

Tell us about yourself and what you do

I moved to Lochwinnoch 25 years ago from Glasgow although I am from Prestwick in Ayrshire. We started the festival as a small one day book/ author event 17 years ago and it has just increased every year to be the only multi-Art Festival in Renfrewshire which last over a week. The festival lasts 13 days and comprises of performances exhibitions, come and try events and workshops. We aim to showcase our very talented local artists as well as some invited performers.

What makes Lochwinnoch a great place to visit/live/invest/study/work?

The village has a rich historical and cultural past as well as a contemporary artistic scene. We have a variety of artists and musicians who have made Lochwinnoch their home. Lochwinnoch is an attractive area to live with its rural location, beautiful nature and scenery all around. There are many places to visit: the RSPB, Muirshiel Regional Park and Loch Semple Water Sports Centre. In addition, a number of good restaurants, pubs and shops are a great advantage for locals. For those living in Lochwinnoch it is also not too distant to Paisley and Glasgow.

What makes the area special?

It is a very friendly and proactive community. We have many clubs, organisations and events in the village which are well supported.

If someone was visiting here, where would you recommend they go?

The RSPB, Castle Semple Water Sports Centre and Clyde Muirshiel Park are a few.

The best hidden gem or untold story in Lochwinnoch is?

Lochwinnoch was a famous furniture making village and some of the seats for the Titanic were made there!

Lochwinnoch is…?

Is a wonderful village with lots to offer culture, heritage and beauty!

Local musician Ciaran Whyte is one of the stars of our new campaign.

Ciaran was pictured busking outside Paisley Abbey and, as he tells us below, playing your music in the town gives you a unique insight into the place.

Tell us a bit about yourself and how you came to get involved with Paisley Is?

I’m a 20-year-old full-time musician from Ralston and I’ve lived in Paisley all my life. Drumming is my greatest musical love, but I also play guitar and sing.

Tommy McGrory from Loud n Proud suggested I might be a good person to have my photograph taken! I’ve always known Tommy from being around the local music scene…I’m not even sure now when our paths first crossed, it’s probably so long ago!

What’s it like busking in Paisley town centre?

I love it! I’ve been doing it on-and-off since I was 16 and still get a buzz off it.

People always say ‘Why don’t you go into Glasgow?’ but you get such a great reaction to your music here. People get to know your face and stop for a chat.

I try to mix it up to reflect how the town changes during the day. In the morning, when all the students are coming into town, I’ll play something from Flight of the Conchords or a bit of Tenacious D – that normally gets a few smiles. Later in the day, I’ll do some more for the oldies…and I’ll do requests, but only if I know how to play it!

I bring in my full drum-kit and I think people are always impressed at the effort to bring in all that gear.

What do you think about Paisley?

I really like living here – it’s home. It’s such a friendly place, and everyone has always been so encouraging to me about my music career. And…it’s home to my football team, St Mirren.

If anyone was going for a night out in Paisley, I’d recommend a few beers in The Last Post and De Beers, and a game of pool in Caffufals, followed by a trip to Mr Kebab – that’s a Paisley experience!

If you’re in the town during the day, I’d say, just take a walk around the town and pick up the vibe. Walk down one of the streets and you never know what you’ll see.

Paisley is…?

Adventurous. And it punches above its weight. Even with Glasgow so close, it’s something special that it has so many gigs, festivals, things like The Spree, and so much great music.