The loom shop is where all the weaving would take place. There are two looms that can be seen here. One was actually found in the cottage during renovation and has been restored to full working order.

Here the visitor can see demonstrations of the weaver's craft on the very loom that was used over 100 years ago.

The looms are original to the cottage and were found in the loft of the building in 1973 and were given to Paisley Museum. They are now on loan from the Museum to the Old Paisley Society so they are now back in their original home.

Even though the Weaver's Cottage in Shuttle Street was in the silk weaving area of Paisley one of the looms is set up for the weaving of tweed.

There are two fireplaces in the loom shop. One was for heating the room but the other had a different purpose. Hot coals were taken from the main fire and placed in the second to soften the starch to dress the threads on the loom to make it easier to weave. This second fireplace is believed to be the only one of its kind still to be found in the West of Scotland

As you enter the loom shop you will see a cupboard on your left known as a pirin cupboard. This was used for storing the materials used in weaving. You can also see a warping board, which was used to help set up the weaver’s warp before adding to the loom, and a pirn winder which was used to wind thread on to the pirn which is then inserted into the shuttle ready for the weaver to use.

“ The Sma' Shot Cottages are open to the public every Wednesday and Saturday during the months from April to September”

- You will be made most welcome when you come to visit, and Entry is Free

Please feel free to browse the website and explore our gallery, we have made a lot of changes to the website courtesy of Paisley.org.uk and Paisley Photography.

Should you have any enquiries or wish to speak to someone about the Cottages then our telephone number is 0141 889 1708 for contact information please visit our contact page.