Area Programmes

Renfrewshire:  11 September 2010 – 12 September 2010

This is a great 2-day event across Paisley and Renfrewshire with over 60 buildings taking part.

Children's Passport Scheme - Children collect a passport highlighting buildings taking part in DOD.  If they visit at least 5 buildings and get their passport stamped they will receive a prize.

Paisley Abbey Cluny 2010 - This year towns and villages throughout Europe have been celebrating the eleventh hundred anniversary of the founding of the Cluniac Order.  Paisley Abbey is one of only two Cluniac monasteries (the other being Crossraguel) and a series of events have taken place to celebrate the anniversary including a medieval fair, concert, coach tours, historical talks, a conference on Scotland's Cluniac Heritage and an exhibition " Charters and Chamber Pots: Aspects of Medieval Paisley" at Paisley Museum.  

Celebrating Tannahill - 2010 marks the 200th Anniversary of the death of Robert Tannahill and to mark this a series of events focusing on  and celebrating his life and work has been taking place including poetry readings,performances, talks, guided walks, exhibitions, concerts and the creation of two poetry walls.  Tannahill's Cottage will be included in the DOD programme.

A8 Inchinnan Bascule Bridge

11.09.10 (Raising of bridge 11.00 13.00 15.00)

Inchinnan

A8 Inchinnan Bascule Bridge - Constructed by Sir William Arrol & Co. Ltd. at a cost of £62,000, the Grade A listed Inchinnan Bascule Bridge over the White Cart Water was officially opened on 28 March 1923. The structure is a fine example of the Scherzer type of Bascule Bridge and is the only one of its kind still operating in Scotland. The bridge is owned by Renfrewshire Council and has recently been extensively refurbished and strengthened by them at a cost of more than £1 million to ensure its operating future and in order to upgrade its load carrying capacity to current standards. A new protective paint system of vibrant colours has been applied to the bridge and the new architectural lighting installation dramatically enhances the features of this unusual structure. Visitors will be able to view the machinery in action via a video-link. The bridge will be raised at 11.00, 13.00 and 15.00, subject to weather.
Building Date: 1923

TBC

Bishopton: Formakin Estate

11.09.10 (Guided tours only, 11.00 and 14.00)

Off B789 Houston Road, Nr Bishopton,  PA7 5NX

Guided tours only 11.00 and 14.00. For tickets, limited to 20 each tour, please email pt@renfrewshire.gov.uk

See the normally private formal gardens, lion fountain and Adam and Eve statue. View Lorimer's 'purest Scotch' buildings (outside only), restored and converted into 17 dwellings by Kit Martin.  Parking free on Doors Open Day - take care crossing the road from the car park.  Not suitable for other than able bodied.  Wear stout footwear.

Architect: Robert Lorimer
Building Date: 1903-14

Bookable tours.

Image (c) www.scran.ac.uk 

  

Braehead: Clydebuilt

11.09.10 (10.00-17.30 Last admissions 16.40)

Braehead Shopping Centre, Kings Inch Road, Renfrew,  G51 4BN

Clydebuilt, a 5 star visitor attraction, offers free entry on Doors Open Day.  It tells the story of trade, ships, and shipbuilding on the Clyde. Part of the Scottish Maritime Museum.

On display will be "The Last Queen On The Clyde" exhibiton which tells of the life and history of the QE2. There will be free entry on Doors Open Days!

www.scottishmaritimemuseum.org

Image (c) www.scran.ac.uk 

 

     

Elderslie: East Gate Church

12.09.09 (13.30-16.00; Sunday service 10.45-12.15)

5 Glenpatrick Road, Elderslie,  PA5 9AE

The earliest of the idiosyncratic Paisley architect's 3 churches. Decorated Gothic with a hint of Art Nouveau. Closed 1997, restored and reopened in 2001. Dramatic new stained glass window "The Two Edged Sword" by Emma Butler - Cole Aitken.
Architect: W D McLennan
Building Date: 1898/90

Activities for children.

Restricted disabled access

      

Elderslie: Elderslie Kirk

12.09.10 (13.00-16.00)

284 Main Road, Elderslie, Johnstone,  PA5 9EF

Sturdy grey stone Gothic kirk with belfried gable front. Set of four stained windows “God’s gifts to the Universe” by Leslie McPhee, 1990. Flowing abstract forms with blues and whites.  Refurbished in the 1950s, the church has light coloured African hardwood pews which give a brightness to the sanctuary.
Building Date: 1840, 1885-86

Organ music. refreshments and children's activities including a treasure hunt!

      

Gledstane Park: the Govan Chair Man

11.09.10 (10.00-16.00)

Gledstane Road, Bishopton,  PA7 5AU

Square Scottish villa with granite causs facing and honey stone mullions. It is the home of John McLaughlin, the 'Govan Chair Man'. See John’s fascinating collection of quirky hand carved chairs. A unique miniature chair will be the prize for one of the children who visit
Building Date: 1893

Children's competition

   

Houston & Killellan Parish Church

12.09.10 (10.00-16.00; service 11.00-12.00. All welcome.)

Kirk Road, Houston,  PA6 7HN

On the site of earlier kirk, a plain Gothic revival church with effigies knight and his lady, c 1455. Stained glass include from 1920s by Gordon Webster, Douglas Strachan, and 1950s by William Wilson. Pulpit falls designed and sewn by church members on view. 
Architect: David Thomson
Building Date: 1874-75

Book on church history on sale.

 

    

Houston: Old Kilallan Parish Church

12.09.09 (Open access)

Corsliehill Road, nr Kilallan Road, Houston,  PA6 7HU

2 miles west of Houston.  Guided Tour (ask at Houston and Kilellan Parish Church). Remote ruin of 1635 church with early gravestones.
Building Date: 1635

Tours.

Howwood: Parish Church

12.09.10 (13.00-14.00)

Beith Road, Howwood,  PA9 1AS

Modest gothic church but with splendid stained glass memorialising the laird and mill owners. The two west side windows, 1858, gifted by the Harveys of Castle Semple, the main window for a "delightful daughter" who died in 1871. Windows to east, 1880s, by W & JJ Kerr of Glasgow and to north and south 1990s, commemorate three generations of McNabs.
Building Date: Nave 1858, choir & transepts 1880s, hall 1911 & 19

Music

   

Inchinnan: Parish Church

11.09.10 (10.00-16.00)

Old Greenock Road, Inchinnan,  PA4 9PH

A veritable gallery of fine art, mostly given by the Campbells of Blythswood, salvaged from the All Hallows Church.  Great sanctuary window by Charles Kemp.  Five fine windows by another hand with unusual use of perspective.  Rose window of angels in glorious rainbow hues. See also Templar and earlier gravestones
Architect: Miller & Black
Building Date: 1965-66

Exhibition about church and local history/maps.  Tours of All Hallows Graveyard, site of former church demolished to make way for airport.