Thousands of residents descended on Paisley town centre at the weekend for Sma’ Shot Day – the annual celebration of the area’s weaving heritage.
The area around Paisley Abbey and Town Hall was a hub of activity as young and old alike enjoyed the festival atmosphere.
The day kicked off at noon when hundreds of volunteers and members of local community groups lined up for the historic parade from Brodie Park to the town centre.
This year’s parade brought the Sma’ Shot story to life using specially-created props and costumes designed during workshops run by outdoor arts specialists Walk the Plank last month.
In the town centre itself, attractions included live music from members of youth group Create Paisley and theatre from PACE, plus outdoor stalls, a funfair, giant games and inflatables.
There was also an outdoor food market and the Slug in a Bottle market, with a mix of vintage items and craft and design, as well as a tea dance in Paisley Town Hall.
The afternoon – as always – ended with a bang with the spectacular pyrotechnics of the Burning of the Cork, intended to mark the victory of the weavers in an industrial dispute of the 19th century.
For the first time there was an evening programme in Paisley Arts Centre, featuring a Sma’ Shot Bigshot poetry slam, and a showcase of the 2020 film project run by Create Paisley.
Residents were also able to visit the Sma’ Shot Cottages in Shuttle Street, where volunteers in period costume were on hand to offer guided tours.
Renfrewshire’s Provost Anne Hall, who was there on the day and at the head of the parade, said: “Sma’ Shot Day is always one of the highlights of the area’s events calendar, and this year’s event was as well-received as ever.
“This year’s event saw an expansion of the activity in the parade, designed to help retell the unique story of Paisley’s weaving history.
“That story will be at the heart of the town’s bid for UK City of Culture in 2021 – and we will be building on the success of Sma’ Shot Day and other event as part of that process.”
Sma’ Shot Day celebrates the town’s proud textile history by marking the victory of Paisley’s weavers in an industrial dispute of the 19th century.
The weavers didn’t receive payment for the Sma’ (small) Shot thread, which was unseen but held together the famous Paisley-patterned cashmere shawls.
A long fight and political battle ensued which the weavers eventually won and renamed the traditional July holiday Sma’ Shot Day.
The day is just one of several big events happening in Renfrewshire this month, with the British Cycling Youth National Circuit Race Championships on Sunday 12 July, followed by the Paisley Pipe Band Championships on Saturday 18 July.