Discover Eaglesham

Eaglesham is an outstanding example of a planned 18th-century village. This offers several specific themes to consider when planning a trip: the late-Baroque group of buildings, local history on the Eaglesham Heritage Trail and the sculptures on display at the Carswell Centre. Eaglesham Woods and Whitelee Windfarm on Eaglesham Moor add woodland and moorland landscapes. Eaglesham thus brings together architectural history, historical themes and opportunities for outdoor activities.

Planned village and historic buildings

Eaglesham was designated a conservation area in 1967 and collectively listed as Category A. This classification adds a specific historical status to the village’s character as a planned 18th-century village. An important group of buildings comprises 1 and 2 Polnoon Street and 73 and 75 Gilmour Street. It forms an important and integral part of the planned late-Baroque town of the 18th century. Looking at this group also highlights the connection between individual addresses and the town’s design.

At the Carswell Centre on Montgomery Street, visitors can see six life-size statues carved by William Gemmell between 1840 and 1845. The sculptures offer another clearly defined focal point: rather than a group of buildings, the focus here is a body of work with a named sculptor and a precisely defined period of creation. Together with the architectural history, they offer two different ways to explore Eaglesham’s cultural history.

Local history on the Eaglesham Heritage Trail

The Eaglesham Heritage Trail comprises twelve panels and information boards. Its topics range from the origins of the planned village and the heyday of the textile industry to Eaglesham’s later restoration in the 1960s and 1970s. The trail also explains Rudolph Hess’s crash landing in 1941. It thus brings together village development, economic history and modern history in a themed presentation. If you would like to place the architectural landmarks in a broader historical context, you’ll find related topics here alongside the buildings and statues.

Woodland paths and moorland activities

Eaglesham Woods lie at the upper end of Eaglesham Orry, between Montgomery Street, Polnoon Street and Mid Road. Several bridges in the woods cross the River Cart. The paths can be narrow and steep in places, while also leading into wide, open areas. The woodland, bridges and open spaces therefore offer different impressions within this landscape; the condition of the paths is a practical consideration for your planning.

Whitelee Windfarm on Eaglesham Moor offers a different range of activities: opportunities for walking, running, cycling and horse riding. By comparison, Eaglesham Woods are characterised by the path conditions described above and the transition to open areas. Information about the two places thus gives you different points of reference when choosing outdoor activities.

Whitelee Visitor Centre

The Whitelee Visitor Centre has interactive, hands-on exhibits for children and adults of all ages. It also offers guided bus tours that take visitors close to the wind turbines. The offering therefore includes both exhibitions and a guided tour. Compared with the opportunities for walking, running, cycling and horse riding mentioned for Eaglesham Moor, the focus here is on exhibits and a bus tour close to the turbines. This lets you choose between outdoor activities and a visit focused on exhibitions or a tour.

Discover more destinations: Johnstone, Elderslie, Clarkston, Renfrew, Uplawmoor, Giffnock, Kilbarchan, Paisley

For the regional travel overview: Renfrewshire.