Sma' Shot Cottages

Sma' Shot Cottages The Sma' Shot Cottage complex is unique in Scotland and allows a great opportunity to see two distinct periods in Paisley's weaving history.

The Sma Shot Cottages are a major attraction in the Renfrewshire area, providing visitors with an insight into two distinct periods of Paisley's weaving history. On entering from Shuttle Street, visitors immediately step back into the 18th century into the typical weaver's cottage which was originally built in the 1750s. The cottage has been matched to written descriptions in histories of the town

and has only been altered slightly from original dimensions in the 19th century. On crossing the yard, you will visit a small row of three cottages, dated 70 years ahead in the 1820s-1840s, where you can immerse yourself in history as you experience life as a weaver in this historical town during the 19th century. Come along and join us in our tea room, where we serve beverages and homemade goods and share stories of the past. We are open April-September, every Wednesday and Saturday 12pm-4pm, and Fridays 1-5pm. Group/private tours can be arranged on request. Sma Shot Cottages are owned and run by the Old Paisley Society, a registered charity (SC001908). Admission is free, however, all donations towards the upkeep of the cottages are gratefully accepted.

🧵 FROM THE ARCHIVES 🧵We’ve been working behind the scenes to preserve and digitise the huge amount of archival photograp...
28/05/2026

🧵 FROM THE ARCHIVES 🧵

We’ve been working behind the scenes to preserve and digitise the huge amount of archival photographs and other materials that we have in our Cottages, and we came across this cracker today!

An illustration by The Herald cartoonist Jim Turnbull celebrating the opening of the Cottages - the two “miracles” - along with the dedicated Old Paisley Society members who saved and transformed them into the living museum we know today.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19yGhaVS5a/Thanks to one of our volunteers Alison Christie for delivering a talk to Bei...
11/05/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19yGhaVS5a/

Thanks to one of our volunteers Alison Christie for delivering a talk to Beith Heritage Group in April

Thank you to Alison Christie for a very interesting talk last night about the Sma Shot cottages. It was fascinating to hear how the project to restore the old weavers cottages had come about and how a group of volunteers made it happen despite the dire condition of the buildings. Just shows what can be achieved if enough people support a project. It was also lovely to see a Paisley shawl close up even if they weren't made on these looms.

WANTED - VOLUNTEERS to help out with kitchen duties. We serve soup, sandwiches, toasties and cakes on a Wednesday and Sa...
21/04/2026

WANTED - VOLUNTEERS to help out with kitchen duties. We serve soup, sandwiches, toasties and cakes on a Wednesday and Saturday and on Fridays we serve Afternoon Teas. Really looking for extra help on Fridays or Saturdays. If you think you would be interested please send us a message or email [email protected]. (Pic is a kitchen in Sma' Shot Cottages but not our actual working kitchen 😊).

Paisley Food and Drink Festival is on this coming weekend, on Friday 24th and Saturday 25th April.The Sma’ Shot Cottages...
20/04/2026

Paisley Food and Drink Festival is on this coming weekend, on Friday 24th and Saturday 25th April.

The Sma’ Shot Cottages will be open both of these days, so please bring your friends, families and fine selves into the town centre to enjoy what Paisley has to offer!

🛢️ Open Friday 1-4pm
🛢️ Open Saturday 12-4pm

Paisley Food and Drink Festival returns on Friday 24 and Saturday 25 April.

More than 60 street food traders, artisan makers and licensed bars will be in the town’s Abbey Close and Bridge Street for the foodie festival.

The free-to-attend event also includes:
• Lots of free family entertainment, including inflatable play area, face painting, food making workshops and street performances
• Renfrewshire CAMRA Beer Tent
• Big Feed Foodie and Makers Market
• Two Towns Down bar on Abbey Close
• Gin tasting sessions with GINstitute
• Scottish Alternative Music Awards takeover performances

It will run from 4pm to 10pm on Friday and 12pm to 9pm on Saturday.

Temporary road closures and parking restrictions will be in place to accommodate the event.

These will take place on the following streets from after midnight (00.01am) on Wednesday 22 April until 1am on Monday 27 April:
• Abbey Close, from Bridge Street to Gauze Street
• Bridge Street, from Gordon Street to Cotton Street
• Bridge Street car park

To find out more about the event, visit the Paisley Is website.

Thanks everybody for a terrific first week back for the Cottages! We're open again this week:🛢 Wednesday 12-4pm🛢 Friday ...
07/04/2026

Thanks everybody for a terrific first week back for the Cottages! We're open again this week:

🛢 Wednesday 12-4pm
🛢 Friday 1-5pm
🛢 Saturday 12-4pm

Please do pop in for a FREE guided tour, a cuppa and cake in our tea room (or afternoon tea on Friday!) and to check out some lovely crafts and souvenirs in our gift shop.

03/04/2026

Thanks to everyone who’s visited so far in our opening week! We’re open again tomorrow from 12 midday until 4pm, and next week we will start it all over again 😄

01/04/2026

We’re now open!

📢 SMA' SHOT COTTAGES OPEN THIS WEEK! 📢Our 2026 season commences tomorrow on Wednesday 1st April, and we will be open unt...
31/03/2026

📢 SMA' SHOT COTTAGES OPEN THIS WEEK! 📢

Our 2026 season commences tomorrow on Wednesday 1st April, and we will be open until the end of September. There's so much to learn about Paisley's world famous weaving heritage, but also a lovely tea room and gift shop if you just fancy a cuppa or a browse around some local crafts and souvenirs!

Our opening times are:

🛢 Wednesdays 12-4pm
🛢 Fridays 1-5pm
🛢 Saturdays 12-4pm

Entry to the Cottages is FREE but donations are very appreciated, and help us to maintain the Cottages and preserve Paisley's cultural heritage.

30/03/2026

📢 REOPENING FOR 2026 THIS WEEK! 📢

We're absolutely delighted to welcome you all back to the Sma' Shot Cottages for the 2026 this week. From Wednesday 1st April we will be open:

🛢 Wednesdays 12-4pm
🛢 Fridays 1-5pm
🛢 Saturdays 12-4pm

Visit us to learn more about Paisley's weaving history on one of our wonderful guided tours, or pop in for a chat and a cuppa in our tearoom, and check out some lovely souvenirs in our gift shop.

Entry to the Cottages is FREE but donations are very appreciated, and help us to maintain the Cottages and preserve Paisley's cultural heritage.

SHARE THIS POST and tell your friends, and help us have the best 2026 possible. We look forward to seeing you!

#2026

2 weeks today (3rd April) is our first Afternoon Tea Friday. We open at 1.00pm, last orders for afternoon tea 3.30pm. 4 ...
20/03/2026

2 weeks today (3rd April) is our first Afternoon Tea Friday. We open at 1.00pm, last orders for afternoon tea 3.30pm. 4 sandwiches, 3 patisserie, scone and accompaniment and tea/coffee at last year's price of £8.50 per person (there will be a slight increase to £9.50 pp from Friday 10th April). Why not treat yourself to a wee Easter Special? Booking not essential but definitely advised for 3rd April. Drop us a message or email [email protected].

Address

2 Sma' Shot Lane
Paisley
PA12HG

Opening Hours

Wednesday 12pm - 4pm
Friday 1pm - 5pm
Saturday 12pm - 4pm

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