The Whithorn Way continues

I didn't take any photos of Glasgow until I left as it was so wet walking into the city - all I wanted to do was get to the hotel and have a hot shower.  It was a different story the next day as I left.  The sun shone and the city was putting on a great face.

Along the Clyde - autumn in all its glory

There is a street beyond that drop!

A bright face - reflections

With a leisurely breakfast, and a meander around the centre of the city I set off on the path following the Clyde River, and passing numerous bridges that cross it.  I was intrigued by the mixture of very old buildings and very modern ones.

The new and the old

Glasgow Art Gallery

Leaving Glasgow, along the Clyde.

It was a hard day on the feet as the path was entirely on hard roads, as it was to be, I discovered, for the next few days. But with the sun shining and interesting things to see along the way I soon reached Paisley, my destination for the night.  Walking into Paisley the skyline was decorated with numerous spires and towers.  Far more than in any town I had visited previously. 

Along the way

A sign - at last

My brain was slow to catch on to the link with the paisley pattern and the town of Paisley.   Over the years I have worn numerous articles of clothing with the paisley pattern, but I have never owned a Paisley shawl, for which the town became linked so closely.  

Paisley was a manufacturing town, famous not only for the manufacturing of the shawls, which used silk thread, but also for the invention, and manufacturing, of cotton thread.  It was here that the Coats family began their entrepreneurship, along with rivals the Clark family.  I remember Coats cotton reels, but not Clark's.  These two families worked on the principle that looking after the workers (more than 10,000 in their prime) meant they would make more profit.  They were very much benefactors of the town, having extraordinary buildings constructed and leaving a large architectural legacy.

Coats church - formerly a Baptist Church, now an event venue.

One of the old mill buildings - many had been demolished.

The "council" offices 

The Central Methodist Hall, where I attended a service ....

... and inside.  I am always surprised at these buildings how grand they are inside.  This was on the 1st floor and there was an equally large hall on the ground floor.  Scottish oper had performed here the previous week

Not only are there modern buildings, about 1 - 200 years old in Paisley, but there is an ancient abbey that sits proudly right in the centre of town.  Because it is the final resting place of a number of Stewart's, including King Robert lll, it is regarded as the cradle of the Stewart's.  Queen Victoria even visited the abbey.

The Abbey at night

Inside the abbey

The cloister entrance to the abbey