Welcome to Paisley
Scotland's largest town, Paisley may be little more than 7 miles from Glasgow city centre but it is a lot more than a suburb of the city.
Follow the town's historical trail and you soon find evidence of kings and queens, medieval monks, explorers and leading lights of the Industrial Revolution. Certainly guests find it is a history which repays exploration.
The Watermill Hotel has served at the heart of Paisley for many years, providing a social, emotional and family hub for Buddies (people born and bred in Paisley) since it opened.
Paisley Abbey
A fascinating relic of medieval Scotland, Paisley Abbey is one of the few Scottish abbeys still in use as a church. A short stroll from the hotel, the abbey delights guests and visitors with its sculptured stone, stained glass and museum. Open for visitors, Monday to Saturday with services on Sunday.
Paisley Arts Centre
Little more than 5 minutes from the Watermill Hotel, the Paisley Arts Centre is housed in a fine, old, converted church. This small, intimate theatre features year-round performances. As well as concerts and dramas for adults, there are also family shows and pantomimes. Perfect at Christmas time.
The Paisley Pattern
Recognised throughout the world, the lacy teardrop pattern known as paisley originated in India. However guests staying in riverside rooms at the Watermill Hotel can gaze across at the grand old building which made it famous. You find echoes of the pattern everywhere you go in the old town.
Paisley News
Voices in Paisley Festival 2008
September 21, 2008
Tickets are on sale now for the Voices in Paisley Festival 2008 (24 October to 8 November).
The Auburn Singers, The Gleniffer Singers and Paisley Philharmonic Choir open this year’s event with a concert which will feature both well-known sacred works by Mozart, Parry, Jenkins and Rutter.
For many people the stand out concert will feature the [...]
The Charlatans at Paisley Town Hall, October 2008
August 26, 2008
Great news for west of Scotland fans of the Charlatans. The band will be performing at Paisley Town Hall on 13 October.
The Watermill Hotel is just five minutes walk from Paisley Town Hall and if you hurry we still have rooms available on that night. Check on our Book a Room link on the right.
Great views over historic Paisley
August 18, 2008
We only recently discovered that Live Search Maps now show fantastic bird’s eye views over Paisley. The clarity and details are amazing.
Take a look at the view of the Watermill Hotel on our map page, with the White Cart Water raging over the Hammills between us and the historic Anchor mill.
The views over Paisley Abbey [...]
Alexander Gowdie at the Paisley Museum
August 18, 2008
Great news for art lovers and connouisserus of 20th century Scottish painters. Paisley Museum is hosting the first major retrospective of the work of Alexander Gowdie.
Born in Paisley in 1933, Gowdie studied at the Glasgow School of Art and although best known for his portraiture, he had a remarkable breadth of styles and subjects. His [...]
Stars in their eyes at Coats Observatory
August 13, 2008
Coats Observatory is one of the brightest stars of the tourist trail in this part of Scotland.
The money to build it came from Thomas Coats, the thread magnate but his son James extended it in 1883 and now it houses a number of valuable scientific antiques.
But this is more than a museum and this coming [...]
A cultural weekend in Paisley
August 11, 2008
The Scottish Chamber Orchestra is visiting Paisley for the first time on September 5 2008 and we still have a few rooms free for that night at the time of writing.
It looks like a good programme with Haydn’s Symphony No 96, also known as the “Miracle”, Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto with soloist Maximiliano Martin and ending [...]
Enjoy your golf at the Paisley Golf Club
August 10, 2008
Although we are very well-placed for a trip to the great golf courses of Ayrshire, such as Turnberry and Royal Troon, guests at the Watermill Hotel often decide to swing a club a lot closer to the hotel.
Paisley Golf Club, just a few minutes drive from here, is one of the nicest golf clubs in [...]
Paisley Abbey Open Day
August 6, 2008
We are very lucky to have medieval Paisley Abbey just five minutes from the Watermill Hotel and many of our guests consider it one of the highlights of their visit to this part of Scotland.
Next month, the abbey is welcoming visitors to another Paisley Abbey Doors Open Day (and what magnificent doors they are) [...]
The World Pipe Band Championship. Having a blast!
July 21, 2008
One of the most colourful - and yes, noisiest - events of the summer, the World Pipe Band Championships returns to Glasgow in August when bands from 16 different nations including Canada, the USA, Australia, New Zealand and Pakistan as well as the home nations descend on Glasgow Green to stir, inspire and [...]
Click here to read the rest of this entry.Ayrshire Farmers Market in Paisley
July 21, 2008
We are big fans of the Ayrshire Farmers Market which graces County Square in Paisley on the second and last Saturday of the month.
Stroll around the stalls and you will find much of the best produce this part of Scotland has to offer. Better yet, many farmers and stall holders will be keen to let [...]
