THOUSANDS of heritage enthusiasts are expected to flock to one of Paisley’s best-known tourist attractions which has just reopened its doors to the public following the winter shutdown.
Every summer the Sma' Shot Cottages bring visitors from near and far who love to step back in time and see how Buddies lived, worked, dined and relaxed during the 18th and 19th centuries
Now restored as a museum following years of hard work by dedicated members of the Old Paisley Society, the neat cluster of old-world buildings consist of an 18th century weaver’s cottage and the 19th century home of an artisan who lived in the town centre around the time of the Battle of Waterloo and during the reign of Queen Victoria.
The weaver’s cottage is equipped with original hand looms similar to those worked by Paisley poet Robert Tannahill during the early 1800s and which were once common among the weaving communities of Charleston, West End, Maxwellton and Millarston.
The dwelling also features wooden box beds, stairways and a kitchen which would have been used by families living in the town when the manufacture of shawls and other garments was done in the home as a cottage industry before the coming of huge mills like those at Anchor and Ferguslie built by the Clark and Coats families where the work became more mechanised and based in factories rather than in the weavers’ houses.
The artisan’s cottage contains a kitchen, bedroom and Victorian parlour where families could relax and talk among themselves or with their friends. There is also a gift shop, while teas are served in the Alexander Wilson Room – named after the weaver-poet of that name who was born in nearby Seedhill in 1766 and went on to become the Father of American Ornithology following his emigration to the New World after he was successfully sued by a ‘cork’ – the middleman who was the link between the weaver and the distributor of his produce – in the wake of the publication of a libellous poem. A permanent display of Wilson’s life and works, including some of his poetry, is on show at the Cottages.
In good weather, visitors can enjoy their afternoon teas and home baking in the weaver’s cottage floral garden which featured in the BBC Beechgrove Garden television series a few years ago. During the summer, the famous Paisley Pinks – flowers cultivated by the Paisley weavers – can be seen bringing a spectacular dash of colour to the garden.
The cottages’ name, Sma’ Shot, refers to a hidden width of plain strong yarn which held the woven fabric patterns together in garments. The corks initially refused to pay the weavers for the small, or sma’, shot but, following a lengthy dispute, they eventually were forced to do so after the workers went on strike at the summons of the famous Charleston Drum, which is today on show at Paisley Museum.
The weavers’ historic victory is celebrated every year on the first Saturday of July at the Sma’ Shot celebrations in the town, which are accompanied by marchers dressed as weavers and Buddie Tony Lawler banging away on a modern replica of the Charleston Drum.
"We are looking forward to meeting visitors to the Sma’ Shot Cottages from now until the end of September," said Ellen Farmer, president of the Old Paisley Society, which restored the cottages and which is based in the buildings.
"There is so much to see at the Cottages and we get people coming from all over the world – many to trace their ancestors – coming to visit us.
"Last year we had an American aircrew from a plane which landed at Glasgow Airport among our guests. We’ve also had people from Australia, Canada and New Zealand.
"But everyone – individuals, families and school, community and history organisations – is welcome. Anyone wanting to arrange group visits can contact us on 0141 889 1708."
The Cottages, at 11-17 George Place and 14 Shuttle Street, are open every Wednesday and Saturday from noon until 4pm. Admission is free.
