Coats Observatory

At the 1880 Annual General Meeting of the Paisley Philosophical Institution, it was proposed that the Society should purchase an astronomical telescope. Mr Thomas Coats of Ferguslie, then a member of the council, offered to relieve the Institution of the expenses incurred, and with the advice of Professor Grant of Glasgow University, a 5 inch equatorial telescope by Grant of York was obtained. Mr Coats also provided a substantial building to house the instrument on the present Oakshaw site.

Besides the telescope a variety of other equipment was installed, including a transit instrument, sidereal clocks, specialised eyepieces for the telescope and other items. By 1898 the Observatory had more equipment, including a10 inch Grubb telescope and new premises. In 1884 the weather recording activities, which had been carried on for many years at Ferguslie House, were transferred to the Observatory where they have continued without break ever since.

The Observatory is unsuitable for wheelchair access.

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Nearby Attractions

• Paisley Museum (1 Mile)*
  The Paisley Pattern is a design classic, you can see the beauty of the original shawls and discover the story of their intricate art at Paisley Museum and Art Galleries.
  
• Weaver's Cottage (4 Miles)*
  This typical 18th-century handloom weaver's cottage contains the last example of the 800 looms working in the village of Kilbarchan in the 1830s.
  
• Glasgow Museums Resource Centre (4 Miles)*
  This is the first publicly accessible store for the Glasgow City's museum service.

Oakshaw Lodge (1 Mile)* At Oakshaw Lodge, you will experience Romantic luxury and relaxation, in the heart of the wonderful Area of Outstanding Conservation. Oakshaw Lodge is the perfect place to un-wind, offering the comfort of a serviced suite.

GH-Hol Apartment (5 Miles)* This well appointed modern apartment on the River Clyde at Glasgow Harbour has an ideal waterfront position, free from road traffic noise.

Mulberry Cottage (6 Miles)* Based in the trendy West End of Glasgow, a safe and tranquil area with superb access to all the City's sites and attractions, we offer a beautiful, newly built, 1 bedroom, attached cottage, with a light and airy feel and retro 60s styling.

more self catering near Coats Observatory ...

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Nearby Attractions

• Paisley Museum (1 Mile)* The Paisley Pattern is a design classic, you can see the beauty of the original shawls and discover the story of their intricate art at Paisley Museum and Art Galleries.
  
• Weaver's Cottage (4 Miles)* This typical 18th-century handloom weaver's cottage contains the last example of the 800 looms working in the village of Kilbarchan in the 1830s.
  
• Glasgow Museums Resource Centre (4 Miles)* This is the first publicly accessible store for the Glasgow City's museum service.
• Clydebuilt Scottish Maritime Museum (4 Miles)* The story of Glasgow and the River Clyde is brought vividly to life at Clydebuilt, the Scottish Maritime Museum at Braehead.
  
• Fossil Grove (5 Miles)* Fossil Grove is Glasgow's most ancient attraction. Its fossil trees provide an insight into the world of 330 million years ago.
  
• Burrell Collection (5 Miles)* In the heart of Pollok Country Park, this award-winning building contains a unique collection of art in a beautiful woodland setting.
  
• Riverside Museum (6 Miles)* Riverside Museum is a new evolution for the Glasgow Museum of Transport, previously located in Kelvin Hall.
  
• Pollok House (6 Miles)* Pollok House is an elegant country house situated in the tranquil surroundings of Pollok Country Park.
  
• Glasgow Science Centre (6 Miles)* Glasgow Science Centre (GSC) is one of Scotland's must-see visitor attractions. GSC encapsulates the world of science and technology in new, fun and exciting ways.
  
• Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum (6 Miles)* Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum has welcomed over 6 million visitors since reopening in 2006.
  

Nearby Towns

• Glasgow (8 Miles)* Glasgow is Scotland's second and largest city, situated on the banks of the River Clyde; it is the gateway to the Trossachs, the beautiful West Coast and the Highlands of Scotland.
  
• Eaglesham (10 Miles)* While visiting Eaglesham, unless drawn to the attractions of the nearby city, there is little need to leave its village atmosphere.
  
• Port Glasgow (11 Miles)* Port Glasgow is one of the largest towns in the Inverclyde area. It is situated on the south bank of the River Clyde, east of Greenock.
  
• East Kilbride (12 Miles)* East Kilbride is mostly known for being a shopping mecca of central Scotland. Rightly so as almost anything can be found in the Central shopping centre.
  
• Greenock (13 Miles)* Greenock is a sizeable town in the central Lowlands of Scotland. It was once a burgh within the former county of Renfrewshire and is now part of the urbanized area between Port Glasgow and Gourock.
  
• Largs (16 Miles)* The popular seaside resort of Largs is on the Firth of Clyde, about 33 miles west of Glasgow. Sloping down the rolling hills to the waterfront, the name Largs originates from learg meaning hillside in Gaelic.
  
• Gourock (16 Miles)* Gourock is a town in the Central Lowlands of Scotland and a former burgh in the county of Renfrewshire. It was once a seaside resort on the Firth of Clyde but today is a popular residential area three miles west of Greenock.
  
• Balfron (16 Miles)* Balfron is a village in SW Stirling Council Area, situated on the A875 road, 18 miles (29 km) west of Stirling and 16 miles (26 km) north of Glasgow. A key rural settlement in a dormitory area, it has shops, a health centre and a secondary
  
• Kilcreggan (17 Miles)* Kilcreggan is a lovely little village just 2 miles from Rosneath on the Rosneath Peninsula.
  
• Seamill (19 Miles)* Car drivers, making their way north on the A78, may perhaps think of Seamill as somewhere you just drive through. But there are extremely worthwhile things to see and enjoy there, if you take the time to find out...