Elderslie

For the suburb of Sydney, Australia, see Elderslie, New South Wales

Elderslie
Scottish Gaelic: Ach na Feàrna
Wallace Monument
Elderslie  Elderslie shown within Renfrewshire
Population	5,180 (1991 Census)
OS grid reference	NS445625
Council area	Renfrewshire
Lieutenancy area	Renfrewshire
Country	Scotland
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	JOHNSTONE
Postcode district	PA5
Dialling code	01505
Police	Strathclyde
Fire	Strathclyde
Ambulance	Scottish
EU Parliament	Scotland
Scottish Parliament	West of Scotland
List of places: UK • Scotland •

Elderslie is a village in the council area and historic county of Renfrewshire in the west central Lowlands of Scotland. The village is situated midway between the nearby towns of Paisley and Johnstone.

Settled in prehistoric times, Elderslie is best known as the traditionally accepted birthplace of Sir William Wallace, a knight born around 1270 who served as a military leader in the Wars of Scottish Independence before being captured and executed.

The village was once the home to the world famous Stoddard Carpets which famously made the carpets for the Cunard liners RMS Queen Mary, RMS Queen Elizabeth and RMS Queen Elizabeth 2 which were built by John Brown & Company in their shipyard in Clydebank. The firm also produced carpets for Queen Elizabeth II's wedding in Westminster Abbey, the ill-fated ocean liner RMS Titanic and for the Concorde aircraft. A remaining example of the fine work which was carried out here can still be seen in the circular carpet which covers the floor of the drawing room in Culzean Castle designed by Robert Adam.

Today, Elderslie chiefly serves as a dormitory village for nearby urban settlements, most notably Paisley and the city of Glasgow.

History

The area has been settled since prehistoric times as evidenced by the cup and ring marks to be found to the south of the village above the bend on the road to the Peesweep. The stream running through the village is officially the Old Patrick Water but colloquially known as the Brandy Burn. 'The village's name translates into the Scottish Gaelic language as Ach na Feàrna.

It is widely accepted that William Wallace was born and grew up in Elderslie. On the site of the ancient Elderslie Castle where there are now information boards, there now stands a monument to commemorate his life. As late as the 1970s remains of the buildings on this site still stood with roofs intact although it is very doubtful how much of that existed in the time of Wallace. Auchenbathie Tower a few miles to the south is a site associated with William Wallace in an action against the English.

Education

There is one non-denominational state primary school in Elderslie: Wallace Primary School, which is a feeder school for Castlehead High School, a secondary school in Paisley. Wallace Primary and Castlehead High work very closely together to ensure the transfer from primary to secondary school is as seamless as possible.

Nearby Roman Catholic state schools include St. Anthony's Primary School in Johnstone and St. Benedict's High School in Linwood.

Religion

Elderslie was once divided between two parishes of the established Church of Scotland, Elderslie West and Elderslie East, which amalgamated around 1977. Worshippers now meet in the former West church, renamed Elderslie Kirk.

Recreation

The village has a swimming pool located at Stoddart Square; the area was formerly a park. There is a golf club called Elderslie Golf Club and a bowling club.

Football pitches are located at Old Road and Glenpatrick Road although it appears only the grass pitch is open to local use, the "blaes" pitch out of use now the Stoddard factory has gone, and been replaced by a new grass pitch.

Notable people

• George Campbell Hay (1915-1984)- Writer
• William Wallace (died 1305)
• Dougie Vipond (1966-present)
• Richard Madden (1986-present)- Actor

See also

• Elderslie railway station

External links

• Elderslie Leisure Centre
• Wallace Primary School