The Renfrewshire Town of Johnstone was a sort of new town, kinda. When the areas it is made up of all merged together somebody thought to name it Johnstone as a collective. It makes up most of the land ten miles to the west of Glasgow. It’s got a Paisley postcode as opposed to a Glasgow one, but it is still close enough to the city to taxi it home after a night out.
Image: sevenMaps7/Shutterstock.com
Johnstone How Did It Get Here
The town began life as a planned development with the town centre growing up around the Easter Cochrane house (or Houstoun Castle), in the late the 18th century. Since then it has continued to grow but the Castle survived despite the last Laird dying in 1931 leaving no heirs. The castle fell into disrepair, got knocked down with the exception of a single tower which was bought by a housing developer, and is now the site of two council estates.
JonnyDKeen, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Clan Houstoun were not so good at taking care of the Sma’ Folk (that’s we peasants) because most of Johnstone was slum territory, right up until after that last Laird died. After this, the council intervened to extend the town and stop the cramped conditions from killing people. After this Johnstone sort of didn’t stop expanding, which is why we have the huge area it is today. In England, they have strategically placed Green Belts to stop the Urban Sprawl of towns and cities. We encourage the growth of our towns and cities since the rest of the country is Green Belt. We are only a few years away from the deer taking over.
So if you were visiting the western side of Glasgow, what sort of sights should you go and see? Let’s find out in the five-minute guide to Johnstone…
Johnstone Sights to See
If you are spending any time in this town then you need our guide. What do you go see first? Here are our top attractions in Johnstone for when you can’t think of anything to do!
Johnstone History Museum
This is one of the most famous museums in Scotland – even though you have never heard its name. Have you heard that somewhere up north there is a museum inside a supermarket No? Where have you been all your life? That place is Johnstone Museum – and it is believed to be the only museum situated inside a supermarket in the known western world.
It is genuinely inside a Morrison’s… because why not? This tiny museum is totally free to enter and gives a great glimpse into the history of the area. There have been a few famous people from these parts. If you go to the museum you will hear all about it!
Cochrane Castle Golf Club
This is the local Johnstone golf club on the site of the old Cochrane Castle. There aren’t many traces of the castle left but the well-kept grounds are perfect for hitting a ball or two on. Most notably, this golf club has one of the longest holes in Scotland – it even holds a world record. It is an 18 hole course so make sure you take the whole afternoon… there’s no tearing through this sight in five minutes!
The course has awesome views of Ben Lomond and the Campsies in the backdrop. It was built in 1895 and hosts loads of open events all season. Check it out if you like a bit of golf. A day pass doesn’t cost much.
The Weaver’s Cottage
At one time during the industrial revolution, Johnstone was famous for its involvement in the textile industry. While most of the rest of western Glasgow was involved in steel and shipbuilding; the artisans of Johnstone were making their clothes. They had their own river (the Black Cart Water) to power their mills, and the town was home to the highest cotton mill on Scotland at 6 storeys!
To this day you can visit a preserved Weaver’s cottage in the town to find out how these people lived. Keep in mind the Weaver’s would have been packed in like sardines – but it does give you an authentic idea. It’s definitely worth visiting if you are in the area and want to learn a little about the culture.
Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park (and Castle Semple Visitor Centre)
Outside of Johnstone town centre and a little South-West, you will find the Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park. It has a loch with canoeing, hikes and a little woodland. This park has picnic areas, some sports facilities, and opportunities for long, romantic walks by moonlight. The visitor centre can tell you all about the castle that used to be there and the ruins that remain, but it is only open during the summer and spring seasons. The focus is on wildlife, education, and fun outdoor times. Schools often use the space for outdoor events… your kids will love it.
Splash Productions
This is a bit of a strange one – but those talented artists who are unsigned as of yet need demo tapes… or the modern equivalent of them, anyway. Scottish unknown artists come to Splash to do just that. They have spaces for hire, run regular music events, and present an excellent way to spend an afternoon if you think you have some musical talent!
Where to Eat, Drink, and Party in Johnstone?
So if you are looking for the best family food in Johnstone you should try the Brewer’s Fayre Phoenix Park. If you want something a little more upmarket, or if you are out for a romantic evening, then try the Trattoria Roma instead.
If you want the best cocktails in Johnstone, try the Hazel Arms, who run regular bar games. If dancing the night away is more your style then the 20:10 is the place to be.
Five Minutes Spare?
Still got a little free time? You can find all sorts of lifestyle, entertainment and sports activities – all of which last around five minutes. Trust us, read something, and you will at least find yourself amused for a little while… even if we can’t make you any smarter.
