The Urban Historian- Stephen Clancy

how they are used today, and the potential they hold for future heritage development. The stories of the many Paisley Buddies laid to rest within these burial grounds reveal the true history of Paisley and Renfrewshire—its people, its past, and its Future.

We will examine how these graveyards can serve as valuable resources for heritage tourism today. By tracing the origins of Paisley’s graveyards and the churches connected to them, we aim to understand their role in society at the time they were established, more...

This talk will explore the forthcoming work of Heritage Buddies, a Renfrewshire Council funded project dedicated to investigating the graveyards of the county through survey, genealogical research, and storytelling. More....

Paisley Philosophical Institution

Coming up in the 18th February 2026 - 17:30-19:30 Room D133, University of the West of Scotland, Paisley.

Paisley's Historic Graveyards: Past, Present & Future
A Talk for Paisley Philosopical Institution. More...

paisleyphilosophical.org/upcoming-talks

The Legacy of Christian Shaw will be the subject of our first history talks of 2026. From accusing numerous people of witchcraft in 1697 to introducing fine linen thread manufacturing in Scotland, her legacy is often forgotten. See www.theurbanhistorian.co.uk for details.

Coming up this Saturday 10am is out first History Cafe of 2026 looking at the Glen Cinema Disaster of Hogmanay 1929. See www.theurbanhistorian.co.uk for details.

History Cafe 2026 – The Glen Cinema – The Urban Historian Sat 17th January 2026 / Join us for our first History Cafe of 2026 when we will look at the Glen Cinema Disaster of Hogmanay 1929.

This coming Saturday at BLEND @ Paisley Arts Centre 10-11.30am. theurbanhistorian.co.uk/product/hist...

Our topics will include The Christian Shaw Legacy, Royal Renfrew, Paisley Abbey, Black Peter & the West Relief Kirk, The Parish of Neilston & Graveyards & churches of Renfrewshire.

Between January and June 2026 we will be holding our talks in Paisley St George's Church on Causeyside Street on the last Tuesday of the month at 7pm

A reminder that we will be at the Mile End Mill, Paisley tomorrow between 10 and 2 for their Christmas Market. Come along, browse our books, grab our custom 2026 Paisley Diary, and other Christmas goods and ask about the Heritage Buddies Project! We will be on the 2nd Floor in The Cube

We are still attempting to organise another evening or weekend session in early December for those that are interested but cannot make any of the other sessions.

See www.heritagebuddies.uk amd theurbanhistorian.co.uk for details.

You can get the 2026 Diary on Amazon at amzn.eu/d/1QzxkAV

To round this is off we will be in Erskine Library on the 5th December between 10 and 12.45pm for another Heritage Buddies Consultation and Volunteer Recruitment Session.

Then on Friday 28th we will be at Abbeymill Business Centre Ltd for their Christmas Market between 10 and 2pm with supplies of our publications, the new Paisley 2026 Desk Diary and some Christmas items.

On Tuesday 25th we have our talk on Paisley: St George's Church on the Coats family history... did they really come from a poor weaving tradition?

November is a busy month. On Monday coming we are at Renfrew Library for the 3rd Heritage Buddies Consultation and Volunteer Recruitment Session between 2 and 5pm. Then on Monday 24th we are out at Erskine Library, again 2 to 5pm.

Here are all our confirmed Consultation / Volunteer Recruitment Session until Friday 5th December. The session on the 28th November will be in the Mile End Mill in Paisley during their Christmas Market, so expect it to be busy!

Heritage Buddies - Where Buddies Rest Stories Rise
Are you intertest in archaeology, local history, genealogy? If so this project is for you!
The project is funded by the Culture, Heritage and Events fund from Renfrewshire Council. See www.heritagebuddies.uk for info

Comng up on Tuesday next week, our next talk in the discover series... The Village of Kilbarchan. With a rich heritage of weaving and many historic buildings and sits Kilbarchan is a Renfrewshire village not to be missed if your in the area. www.theurbanhistorian.co.uk

Due to a new project launching later this week, I have decided to give the History Cafe sessions a break in November & December 2025. They will return in 2026 (dates to be confirmed).

More information will be revealed later this week.

Big news coming this week...
#archaeology #Genealogy ##localhistory

History Cafe – 18th October 2025 – The Urban Historian Our History Cafe for October will look at views in Renfrewshire, stimulating discussion on the mansions of the county and other places .

Our local history cafe for aoctober will be looking at 'Views in Renfrewshire' which will explore the early 19th century. We will make use of a book by Philip Ramsey that includes line engravings by W H Lizar.

Book here theurbanhistorian.co.uk/product/hist...

Something is happening...

Advert for history cafe

Renfrew Old Kirk

Do you have an interest in Graveyards? Our Family History Cafe will be look at graveyards today. There is a great potential to rediscover the history connected to the sites and those who now reside within.
shorturl.at/Eams6

#graveyards #Genealogy #renfrewshire #Paisley #Scotland #archaeology

Our events for October and into November 2025.

Full details at www.theurbanhistorian.co.uk

This coming Saturday, we have our Local History Cafe at Blend Coffee Lounge in Paisley Arts Centre. See theurbanhistorian.co.uk for details. Later in the day I'll be @ @govanstones.bsky.social for Glasgow Doors open Day with a Renfrewshire Historic Graveyards Dispaly

Saturday 6th September 2025
I am giving free tours of the Laigh Kirk Graveyard at Paisley Arts Centre.
Tours will be at 10am, 12noon and 2.30pm. Booking is essential as only 15 places are available on each tour.

Each time slot has its own booking page at
theurbanhistorian.co.uk/book-an-event/

We will be at Sma' Shot Day in Paisley this Saturday 5th July. Our stall will be on Abbey Close with local history books for sale, information on our 2025 events, and a local history display.

#SmaShotDay #renfrewshireevents #paisley #renfrewshire #history #heritage #seethehistoryaroundyou

A decorated plaque made from blue and white Dutch delft tile, encased in a gilded frame. The words say: To The Glory of God and in grateful remembrance of generous hospitality bestowed on the Netherlands Sailors, Soldiers and Airmen during their stay in the United Kingdom Annis Domini 1940-47, this tablet was presented by the Protestant churches of the Netherlands. "I was a stranger and ye took me in"

This Dutch delft plaque is on display at St Bartholomew’s in Gourock, Scotland. It memorializes the hospitality bestowed on “sailors, soldiers and airmen” from 1940-47.

But what is the wartime history of the Dutch military on the Clyde?

#maritimehistory #navalhistory #coastalhistory

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#Inchinnan4 a 10th to early 12th century carved stone fragment of the Govan School. It is seen here where it was discovered in 2009. The stone is now in the care of Paisley Museum. There are three Govan School Stones on displayat Inchinnan Parish Church.