Bridge of Weir

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Bridge of Weir
Bridge of Weir shown within Scotland
Population	4770
OS grid reference	NS382956
Council area	Renfrewshire
Lieutenancy area	Renfrewshire
Constituent country	Scotland
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	JOHNSTONE
Postcode district	PA11
Dialling code	01505
Police	Strathclyde
Fire	Strathclyde
Ambulance	Scottish
European Parliament	Scotland
UK Parliament	James Sheridan (Lab), Paisley & Renfrewshire North
Scottish Parliament	Trish Godman (Lab), West Renfrewshire West of Scotland
List of places: UK • Scotland

Coordinates: 55°51′00″N 4°34′00″W / 55.85, -4.58333

Bridge of Weir is a village in Renfrewshire, Scotland lying within the Gryffe Valley. It largely serves as a dormitory village for nearby Glasgow and Paisley, although maintains a commercial centre of its own.

1 History
- 1.1 Rail links
2 The village today
- 2.1 Activities
- 2.2 Population statistics
3 References
4 External links

[edit] History

Bridge of Weir was historically an area divided between the parishes of neighbouring Houston and Kilbarchan.^[1] The village grew to relative affluence after the arrival of the railway line, which has now been closed.

Historically, its biggest industry was leather, and at its productivity peak the small village supported three tanneries. The leather industry survives to this day, albeit on a smaller scale than during its heyday. American car manufacturer Lincoln has long promoted its use of Bridge of Weir leather in their Continental line of luxury cars.

[edit] Rail links

Significant in the formation of the character of the village, Bridge of Weir railway station opened 20 June 1864 and closed on 10 January 1983.

[edit] The village today

[edit] Activities

The village boasts some excellent river fishing, bisected as it is by the River Gryffe, a tributary of the Black Cart Water which itself is a tributary of the River Clyde. Amongst other species, the river is host to brown trout, grayling and, occasionally, Atlantic salmon. The scenery around the river, in particular to the west of the town, towards Quarrier's Village, is quite stunning and unspoilt. Ben Lomond is just across the Clyde and there are some excellent spots for hillwalking in the surrounding area, for example Misty Law and Windy Hill.

The village is also known for its golf history, at one point there were five golf courses in the vicinity, today there are two remaining, OC Ranfurly golf club and the Ranfurly Castle golf club.