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Find out all about Paisley’s role in the Scottish Radical War of 1820 with the Paisley Radicals: Catalysts for Change walking tour app.
Install the free GuidiGO app here
Part audio play, part walking tour – history is brought to life as participants immerse themselves in the stories and places in the town that led an inspiring movement for change.
The Radical War was a week of protests and riots across Scotland in April 1820. The government at the time feared civil unrest due to the rising cost of living and levels of unemployment. A particular connection for Paisley is the gathering at Miekleriggs Muir in Sept 1819 – it was at this time that rioting occurred in the streets of Paisley and the Riot Act was read several times within one week.
Walking tour map
Participants begin the tour, which takes approximately 90mins, at Woodside Crematorium and the Martyr’s Chapel and journey from there down the High St passed a number of Paisley’s key landmarks including the statue of May Donoghue, Coats Memorial Church, the statue of John Witherspoon, Willie Gallagher Cairn, Methodist Church – illustrated in the app by local Paisley artist Josef McFadden – then along the River Cart at Forbes Place to Dunn Square finishing at Paisley Cross.
The Paisley Radicals: Catalysts for Change app is designed to be an activity people can do on their own or as part of a group. Anyone with an Apple or Android device can install the free GuidiGO app from their app store and then download the Paisley Radicals: Catalysts for Change tour.
The walking tour app has been produced by Civil Disobedience with app development support from Inner Ear, funded by Future Paisley and the Paisley TH.CARS2 programme, which is jointly funded by National Lottery Heritage Fund, Historic Environment Scotland and Renfrewshire Council.
