We stopped here on our drive from Tyndrum to New Lanark, turning off M 8 and following Google maps to the street parking(1 GBP/hr) adjacent to this 12th C abbey. Arriving at the 10:30 AM opening, a friendly docent handed us an information sheet and pointed us in the direction of circulation. Initially home to monks of the Order of Cluny for its first 400 years, since the 1560 Reformation it has been a parish church and throughout, a burial site for Scottish royals. After seeing its 10th century stone cross, 1872 organ, choir pew animal sculptures and ornate ceiling, we exited to the adjacent 1882 Town Hall, undergoing a massive 2 year renovation.

There are obviously many examples of pre-Reformation Churches in Scotland but without doubt, Paisley Abbey has to be up there with one of the best? The stained glass windows are stunning and the historical links well documented, particularly links with the early Stewart/Stuart kings and the current monarchy. The staff, mostly volunteers are very welcoming and our guide was extremely knowledgeable and entertaining as well as informative. Guided tours are available on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 1pm and well worth the £5 charge. Definitely worth a return visit in my view.

Paisley Abbey is an old and important church inside Church of Scotland. This is situated in the center of Paisley Town – Renfrewshire. The Abbey lasts from the XII century (year 1163), „the founder being Walter – High Steward of Scotland and Baron of Renfrew and was an ancestor of Royal House of Steward” (see a panel at the entrance in the church). Another panel at the entrance in the Abbey : „This Abbey was home to monks of the Order of Cluny for the 400 years of its existence”. Since the Reform the Paisley Abbey was a Catholic church. After the Reform it is a parish church. The exterior of the church is impressive. Inside we remarked the huge and interesting stained glasses, the large organ (which is one of the six existing in Scotland), the superb wooden pews, the altar, the wooden ceiling, the columns, the gallery, and the tombs of all the six stewards of Scotland. I recommend warmly a visit here.