Coats Observatory is part of the Paisley Museum complex. The museum complex is closed right now – an exciting £42m project to transform it into a world-class visitor destination is now underway. You can read more about that project in our Paisley Museum Reimagined section.
But no walking tour of Paisley town centre would be complete without a stroll in Oakshaw to admire the exterior of the observatory!
Built in 1883, Coats Observatory – the oldest public observatory in Scotland – holds a vast range of telescopes and a state of the art digital planetarium.
One of the key pieces includes a fully-working orrery (model of the solar system) made by Adam Hilger.
The observatory also served as a seismic recording centre monitoring earthquakes worldwide, which included the famous 1906 San Francisco quake.
A world-class visitor destination showcasing internationally-significant collections and telling the inspirational stories of Paisley Pattern, heritage and people.
See some of Paisley's finest architectural treasures and learn about its rich history while exploring these town centre gems.
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