Kilbarchan |
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Kilbarchan is a small community-centred village with a population of approximately 6000 people. The village lies 12 miles from Scotland's biggest city, Glasgow, and around 5 miles from the famous town of Paisley. Kilbarchan has good access to many amenities, from Glasgow Airport only 5 minutes drive away to the range of golfing and other sporting activities in the surrounding villages. The village is also home to several famous people, such as Clyde One Radio DJ George Bowie. |
The name Kilbarchan means 'the Church, or Retreat of Barchan'. Saint Barchan was a Scoto-Irish saint who lived between 550 and 650AD. He preached during this time both in Ireland and in Scotland, at Clonsast and at Kilbarchan. In his old age, stricken with blindness, he received the gift of prophecy from heaven. Upon his death, he was buried in Galway Bay, Ireland beside three other saints in the church now known as the Church of the Four Comely Saints. Prior to the beginning of the 17th Centuary, Kilbarchan was owned by the monks of the nearby Paisley Abbey and the main industry of the area was agriculture. By 1695 however, 30 to 40 weavers were working in the village, a number which peaked at 900 in 1840. At this time weaving was carried out on large looms in cottages such as the one pictured below. This fully preserved Weaver's Cottage is now maintained by the National Trust for Scotland and offers a valuable insight into the history of our village. |
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The Weaver's Cottage
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As the popuation of the village grew, so too did the buildings in which they lived, worked and worshipped. The first of the village's two churches, Kilbarchan West, was built in 1724 and rebuilt in 1899. The second of the churches, Kilbarchan East, was constructed in 1786 and commissioned the following year. Both churches remain in use and provide important focal points for the local community. |
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Kilbarchan East Church |
Kilbarchan West Church |
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The most famous monument in Kilbarchan is the Steeple set right at the heart of the village. Built in 1755 by wealthy local landowner James Milliken of Milliken, the Steeple has had many uses throughout its history: a schoolroom, a community hall and a garage to name a few! Today it is used as two halls (upper and lower) which are hired out for use. The Steeple tower itself houses a four faced clock and a bell which still chimes on the hour every hour. The bell is also rung for ten minutes prior to each service at the churches. A bronze statue on the third level of the Steeple depicts the local legend Habbie Simpson. Habbie, a local butcher, lived in the village between 1550 and 1620 during which time he was renowned for his piping skills which he used to entertain the locals. |
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