Thousands of people lined the streets of Paisley as the town celebrated the 40th anniversary of the modern Sma’ Shot Day celebrations on Saturday.
Despite wet weather at times, crowds turned out to enjoy a packed day of entertainment celebrating one of the world’s oldest workers’ festivals.
The Sma’ Shot Day parade set off from Brodie Park at 12 noon before making its way through Paisley town centre to Abbey Close.
This year’s parade was co-ordinated by Bridgeman Arts alongside more than 20 local community groups, performers and musicians. It featured two new giant puppets for the first time.
A giant blue goddess puppet celebrating the cultural diversity of the region appeared alongside the Abhinaya classical Indian dance group and the STAR Project. A giant footballer puppet in the colours of St Mirren joined right2dance and Renfrewshire Young Carers Centre, whose members created props and costumes for the procession.
The annual Burning of the Cork took place at 2pm following a performance by Renfrewshire’s Tannahill Makar, Shaun Moore. The ceremony was followed by a dance performance from right2dance.
PACE Youth Theatre staged its traditional re-enactment of the Paisley weavers’ struggle over payment of the Sma’ Shot thread. Visitors also enjoyed a specially commissioned performance bringing together the School of African Cultures Ubuntu Drumming Group and traditional musicians from Fèis Phàislig.
Throughout the day, visitors enjoyed street performances, children’s activities, community stalls and The Big Feed market outside Paisley Town Hall.
Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games mascot Finnie was also on hand to meet visitors and pose for photographs.
Elsewhere, Restoration and Creation hosted workshops and a 40th anniversary street party on Browns Lane, while the Sma’ Shot Cottages welcomed visitors keen to learn more about Paisley’s rich textile heritage.
The day’s celebrations also included a tea dance at the Methodist Central Hall and the return of the Sma’ Shot Poetry Slam at Paisley Arts Centre.
Be sure to scroll down and view our extensive photo gallery from this year’s Sma’ Shot Day celebrations. Our photographer captured dozens of moments from one of Paisley’s biggest annual events, featuring the parade, performers, community groups and thousands of people who turned out to mark the occasion.
Photo: Participants carry a banner celebrating the 40th anniversary of the modern Sma’ Shot Day celebrations during the procession through Paisley
Photo Credit: David Cameron / Renfrewshire News
Photo: The new giant blue goddess puppet makes its way through Paisley during the Sma’ Shot Day procession. The puppet celebrates the cultural diversity of Renfrewshire and made its debut as part of the 40th anniversary celebrations
Photo Credit: David Cameron / Renfrewshire News
Photo: The new giant St Mirren-themed footballer puppet makes its debut during the Sma’ Shot Day procession in Paisley as part of the 40th anniversary celebrations
Photo Credit: David Cameron / Renfrewshire News
Photo: Members of the WASPI (Women Against State Pension Inequality) campaign, wearing their trademark purple tartan, take part in the Sma’ Shot Day procession in Paisley
Photo Credit: David Cameron / Renfrewshire News
Photo: Members of Paisley & District u3a take part in the Sma’ Shot Day procession in Paisley
Photo Credit: David Cameron / Renfrewshire News
Photo Credit: David Cameron / Renfrewshire News
Photo: Members of the Star Project take part in the Sma’ Shot Day procession in Paisley
Photo Credit: David Cameron / Renfrewshire News
Photo: Young performers from right2dance take part in the Sma’ Shot Day procession
Photo Credit: David Cameron / Renfrewshire News
Photo Credit: David Cameron / Renfrewshire News
Photo Credit: David Cameron / Renfrewshire News
Photo Credit: David Cameron / Renfrewshire News
Photo Credit: David Cameron / Renfrewshire News
Photo Credit: David Cameron / Renfrewshire News
Photo: Renfrewshire Provost Lorraine Cameron poses with one of the giant puppets taking part in the Sma’ Shot Day celebrations in Paisley.
Photo Credit: David Cameron / Renfrewshire News
Photo Credit: David Cameron / Renfrewshire News
Photo Credit: David Cameron / Renfrewshire News
Photo Credit: David Cameron / Renfrewshire News
Photo Credit: David Cameron / Renfrewshire News
Photo Credit: David Cameron / Renfrewshire News
Photo Credit: David Cameron / Renfrewshire News
Photo Credit: David Cameron / Renfrewshire News
Photo Credit: David Cameron / Renfrewshire News
Photo Credit: David Cameron / Renfrewshire News
Photo: The annual Burning of the Cork ceremony brings the 40th anniversary Sma’ Shot Day celebrations to a spectacular close as fireworks, coloured smoke and flames engulf the Cork in Paisley
Photo Credit: David Cameron / Renfrewshire News
Photo Credit: David Cameron / Renfrewshire News