A major repair project is set to get under way at Coats Observatory after new funding was secured for work on the historic telescopes and dome room.
Museums Galleries Scotland has awarded £12,500 to OneRen to carry out the restoration work at the Paisley landmark, which forms part of the town’s museum campus.
The project will focus on the rare refracting telescopes made by Thomas Cooke of York and Howard Grubb of Dublin, along with the original 1884 observer’s chair inside the manually operated dome room.
Work is due to begin in April.
It will include cleaning the telescope lenses, treating corrosion and carrying out a mechanical overhaul to restore smooth and accurate movement.
The dome interior will also be cleaned and repainted, rotation mechanisms will be lubricated and a trip hazard will be removed from the floor.
Although the work is separate from the wider transformation of Paisley Museum, it is expected to be completed in time for the attraction’s reopening.
Once finished, it will allow the dome room and telescopes to be opened to the public.
Plans for the space include regular public stargazing sessions, school visits and partnership events.
A pilot season programme is expected to engage up to 900 people through STEM learning events, community activities and scientific heritage interpretation.
Sean Kelly, Collections and Conservation Manager at OneRen/Paisley Museum, said: “We are absolutely delighted with this grant and grateful to Museums Galleries Scotland for their support.
“The Coats Observatory is unique – one of Renfrewshire’s gems. The sights and experience of visiting it are remarkable. This work will allow more people to enjoy it as part of a fantastic new chapter for Paisley Museum.
“This is an incredibly important project which will safeguard a rare working collection for sustainable long-term use.”
Coats Observatory opened in 1883.
Its repair plan has been developed alongside Historic Environment Scotland to make sure the work complies with the building’s Grade A listing.
Lucy Casot, Chief Executive of Museums Galleries Scotland, said: “We are delighted to support this restoration work through our Small Grants Fund. As well as safeguarding a significant item in OneRen’s collection, this project will create exciting new opportunities for education and engagement, inspiring more people to connect with science and heritage.”
The wider transformation of Paisley Museum is being led by Renfrewshire Council and OneRen, which runs the area’s museums service and will operate the attraction when it reopens.
Construction work has now been completed and exhibition fit-out is under way.
Because of the historic layout of the observatory, some visitors with mobility issues may not be able to access the dome room.
For those unable to reach it, an accessible telescope experience is being created at ground level.
Headline photo: Coats Observatory
Photo Credit: Museums Galleries Scotland