Category

A

Finlaystone House

Home of James, Earl of Glencairn, patron and friend of the Poet – “I’ll remember thee Glencairn, and a’ that thou hast done for me!”

Langbank

A

Burns Statue, Paisley

Unveiled by Lord Roseberry and arguably the finest Burns monument, it has featured in books and many other publications. Money for the statue (1896) was raised by the ordinary people of the town by means of public concerts given on the Gleniffer Braes, attended by circa 20,000 people. The artist, FW Pomeroy, is today famous for (amongst other works) the iconic golden statue of “Blind Justice” at the Old Bailey.

Fountain Gardens,
Paisley

A

Tannahill’s Cottage

Home of Paisley poet Robert Tannahill, first secretary of Paisley Burns Club. Now the property of PBC, this newly refurbished building is being developed as a meeting place and museum for priceless Burns memorabilia in the club’s possession, such as Burns’ favourite cup.

Queen St.,
Paisley

A

Site of Newton House, Elderslie

Home to Claude Alexander prior to his purchase of Ballochmyle estate from Sir John Whitefoord in 1788. Alexander was the subject of famous lines by the poet who remarked of men such as him: “When fate swore that their purses should be full, nature was equally positive that their minds should be empty.” This was also the birthplace and home of his sister Wilhelmina “The Bonnie lass o’ Ballochmyle”, who lived here until the age of 30.

Newton Crescent, Elderslie

A

Old Inchinnan Churchyard

Lair of the Alexander family, and burial place of Wilhelmina Alexander, the "Bonnie Lass O' Ballochmyle", who died in Glasgow at the age of 87.

At the end of Glasgow Airport runway, between Renfrew and Inchinnan

A

“Highland Mary’s grave(s)”

Mary died of typhus in October 1786 while nursing her brother in Greenock, and was interred in the McPherson lair in the Old West Church at the end of Laird Street. Later, to allow for a shipyard expansion, the Church was moved to the Esplanade (1926). Some of the gravestones were removed to this new site, but Mary’s remains and monument were moved to Greenock Cemetery.

Laird St., Esplanade and Inverkip Rd., Greenock

A

Statues in Abbey Close

This is close to the spot where Burns said he “had to fight his way through Paisley hospitality” on his way to Glasgow. In the Close are two statues: one is Robert Tannahill (already described) whose statue was purchased by the same public-spirited people who purchased the Burns statue. The other is of Alexander Wilson, the “Father of American Ornithology.” Whilst in Paisley Wilson was better known as a (very) radical poet! His poems, particularly his work “Watty and Meg” were greatly admired by Burns. Wilson visited the bard prior to emigrating.
Incidentally, Wilson was baptised at the Laigh Kirk, Paisley, by Rev J. Witherspoon, eventual signatory to the American Declaration of Independence and principal of the College of New Jersey (later Princeton)

Abbey Close, Paisley

B

Liberal Club, Paisley

Home of Dr Alexander Taylor visited by Burns in 1788 (mentioned in letters). Taylor showed Burns a silhouette portrait of his mother, which stimulated Burns interest in this medium, leading to the iconic Miers silhouette portraits of the poet and Clarinda

Junction of High St., New St., Church hill, Paisley

B

The Burns Room, Watt Library, Greenock

Home to priceless memorabilia of both the Poet and the Greenock Burns Club

Union Street, Greenock

B

Site of the home of Andrew Purdie

Uncle to Jean Armour, who was sent to live with him during her first confinement (1787) in order to remove her from Mauchline and Burns.
 During this visit Robert Wilson, a prosperous weaver from Mauchline, was encouraged to woo Jean. This was the inspiration for Burns’ “The Gallant Weaver” which begins “Where Cart rins rowing to the sea….”

Exact site to be established, but in the Sneddon, Paisley

B

Home and grave of Alexander “Bookseller” Pattison

A Paisley manufacturer and friend of the poet whom Burns nicknamed “Bookseller” after he disposed of almost 100 copies of Burns first Edinburgh Edition (mentioned in letters)

Exact site to be established

C

A host of others….

The “Sun”, “Star” and “Globe'' Inns, early meeting places of Paisley Burns Cub; White Hart Hotel, Greenock, first meeting place of Greenock Burns Club; the house in High St., Greenock, where Highland Mary died; the homes/ birthplaces of Jenny Surgeoner (John Richmond’s girlfriend); William Anderson (Highland Mary’s nephew, who was in possession of Mary’s bible, given by Burns); John Dove (“Paisley John”, mine host at Whitefoord Arms); James Maxwell, critic of Burns, who wrote the “Book of psalms in metre” which was admired by the poet; Mrs. Dawson, mentioned in the tour etc., etc.

Various