Exploring historic Oakshaw in Paisley and uncovering the tragic tale of the man who fell from the steeple.
I took a gentle walk through the Oakshaw area of Paisley, Renfrewshire, exploring its historic streets, grand buildings, and a piece of haunting local folklore. The route passed Trinity High Church, where a tragic story is remembered. The tale of a man, thought to be a steeplejack or stonemason, who fell to his death. Three personal items carved into the cobbled street still mark his memory, a quiet tribute that most people walk past without noticing.
As I wandered around Oakshaw, I also came across the striking Coats Observatory, Scotland’s oldest public observatory, and the distinctive red sandstone John Neilson Institute. The area is full of character, with cobbled streets, impressive façades, and peaceful corners that capture the history and atmosphere of old Paisley.
It was a reflective walk — part history, part folklore, and part appreciation of the architecture that gives this part of Paisley its unique charm.
