Paisley
Paisley is a large town, and former royal burgh in
the Central Lowlands of Scotland. It is the administrative capital
of the Renfrewshire authority.
The town is situated on the northern edge of the Gleniffer Braes on
the banks of the River Cart, approximately 8 miles west-southwest of
Glasgow. Glasgow International Airport, despite its name, is in
fact, located in Renfrewshire, and sits equidistantly between
Paisley and neighbouring Renfrew. Paisley folk, or 'Buddies', as
they refer to themselves, are very proud of their town and are
fiercely loyal to it.
In recent years, support for full city status has been gathering
momentum. The town already meets the criteria for city status,
boasting both a cathedral and a university. Rivalry with the town's
larger and more dominant west coast neighbour, Glasgow, runs strong,
and to call a Buddie a Glaswegian is met with a similar reaction to
a Scot being called English. Buddies are also very friendly and
pragmatic people.
Paisley is the largest town in Scotland (below the country's five main cities). Towns and settlements surrounding Paisley include:
-
Renfrew to the north
-
Ralston to the east (generally considered a 'de-facto' suburb, despite lying beyond the burgh's boundary)
-
Barrhead to the southeast (over the border in East Renfrewshire)
-
Johnstone and Elderslie to the west
-
Linwood to the west-northwest
History
Formerly known as Paislay (and still known as Pàislig in Gaelic), the town's name is thought to be derived from the old Brythonic word, Pasgill, meaning "pasture".
