Best Landmarks in Renfrewshire
Planning a trip to Renfrewshire? Discover the best landmarks in Renfrewshire with history, expert tips, and routes. Free on web or the Evendo app.
The best landmarks in Renfrewshire
- Top rated
- Closest to the centre
- Price level: low to high
- Time to spend: shortest first
- A–Z
17 landmarks
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Shopping Centre4.3★17,731 reviews
Braehead Shopping Centre
Braehead Shopping Centre is a major retail and leisure destination located on King's Inch Road in Renfrew, near Glasgow. Boasting over 100 stores, a diverse dining scene, and entertainment options, it offers a comprehensive shopping experience. The centre features ample free parking and extended opening hours, making it accessible and convenient for visitors throughout the week.
Price level $$Time to spend 1–5 hrs
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Historical landmark4.7★11,472 reviews
The National Wallace Monument
Perched atop Abbey Craig near Stirling, The National Wallace Monument commemorates Sir William Wallace, Scotland’s legendary patriot. This 220-foot tower, accessible via a 246-step spiral staircase, offers immersive exhibitions and panoramic views of Scotland’s historic heartland. Open year-round with seasonal hours, it features a visitor centre, woodland walks, and shuttle service, making it a must-see heritage landmark rich in history and stunning scenery.
Daily 9:30–18:00Price level $$Time to spend 1–3 hrs
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Tourist attraction4.5★1,715 reviews
Dumbarton Castle
Perched dramatically atop a 350-million-year-old volcanic plug, Dumbarton Castle commands the confluence of the River Leven and Clyde estuary. This fortress, with over 1,500 years of recorded history, served as the royal stronghold of the ancient Kingdom of Strathclyde and sheltered Mary, Queen of Scots before her escape to France. Visitors ascend more than 500 steps through medieval fortifications and 18th-century military architecture to reach panoramic summit views stretching toward Ben Lomond and the Firth of Clyde.
Tue–Sat 9:30–17:00Price level $Time to spend 2–4 hrs
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Cemetery4.7★985 reviews
The Glasgow Necropolis
A sprawling Victorian cemetery of 37 acres housing approximately 50,000 burials, the Glasgow Necropolis stands as one of Europe's most significant burial grounds. Modeled on Père-Lachaise in Paris, this atmospheric 'City of the Dead' features elaborate Gothic, Egyptian, and Greek Revival monuments, mausoleums, and sculptures honoring Glasgow's most prominent citizens. Perched on a hillside adjacent to Glasgow Cathedral, the Necropolis offers panoramic views of the city while telling the stories of industrialists, artists, and notable figures who shaped Victorian Glasgow.
Daily 7:00–16:30Time to spend 1.5–2.5 hrs
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Historical landmark4.5★336 reviews
McLennan Arch
McLennan Arch is a striking classical triumphal arch located at the entrance to Glasgow Green. Originally part of the 18th-century Glasgow Assembly Rooms, this architectural relic was preserved and relocated multiple times, now standing as a picturesque monument symbolizing Glasgow’s rich cultural and architectural heritage. It offers visitors a glimpse into the city’s past and serves as a popular photo backdrop amid the lush greenery of the park.
Open 24 hoursTime to spend 0.5–1.5 hrs
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Cultural centre4.6★252 reviews
St Andrew's in the Square
St Andrew's in the Square is a beautifully restored 18th-century former church located in the heart of Glasgow city centre. Renowned for its stunning Georgian architecture, including a grand decorated ceiling and spacious oak-floored main hall, it serves as a vibrant cultural centre hosting concerts, ceilidhs, weddings, and receptions. The venue combines historic charm with versatile event spaces, making it a standout destination for both visitors and locals.
Mon–Fri 10:00–16:00Price level $$Time to spend 1–4 hrs
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Wedding venue4.7★183 reviews
Coats Paisley
Coats Paisley is a distinguished wedding and events venue located on High Street in Paisley, Scotland. Steeped in history and offering cinematic views from its interiors, this venue combines heritage charm with elegant spaces ideal for weddings, receptions, and special occasions. Its rich architectural character and central location make it a sought-after destination for memorable celebrations.
Price level $$Time to spend 2–8 hrs
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Historical landmark4.5★89 reviews
Finnieston Crane
The Finnieston Crane, officially known as Stobcross Crane or Clyde Navigation Trustees Crane #7, is a monumental 175-ton cantilever crane dominating Glasgow's riverfront. Built in 1931 and operational from 1932 until 1988, this engineering marvel once lifted steam locomotives and heavy machinery onto cargo vessels bound for the British Empire. Now a listed building and enduring symbol of Glasgow's industrial heritage, the crane stands sentinel over the transformed Clyde, juxtaposed against modern landmarks like the Armadillo and SSE Hydro. Its iconic silhouette appears regularly in Scottish television broadcasts and remains a powerful testament to the city's shipbuilding legacy.
Open 24 hoursTime to spend 0.5–2 hrs
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Historical landmark4.5★80 reviews
Tolbooth Steeple
Standing tall at Glasgow Cross, the Tolbooth Steeple is the last surviving part of Glasgow’s original Tolbooth complex, dating back to the early 17th century. This seven-storey, 126-foot tower with its distinctive stone crown and clock faces once housed the city’s council chambers, courthouse, and prison. Now a prominent historic landmark, it offers a tangible link to Glasgow’s rich civic past and architectural heritage in the bustling city center.
Open 24 hoursTime to spend 0.5–1.5 hrs
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Town Hall4.4★70 reviews
Paisley Town Hall
Paisley Town Hall is a grand Victorian-era civic building located in the heart of Paisley, Scotland. Renowned for its striking architecture and rich history, it serves as a versatile venue hosting concerts, conferences, weddings, and community events. Its beautifully restored interiors and vibrant programme make it a cultural hub, blending heritage with contemporary entertainment in a lively town centre setting.
Price level $$Time to spend 1–4 hrs
Auld Kirk Of Ayr
The Auld Kirk of Ayr, located on Blackfriars Walk in Ayr, Scotland, is a historic church with origins dating back over 800 years. It has played a significant role in Scottish history, including connections to Oliver Cromwell, the Covenanters, and Robert Burns. The church remains an active place of worship and a living monument to the town's rich religious and cultural heritage.
Time to spend 0.5–1.5 hrs
Sir John de Graeme Memorial Fountain
The Sir John de Graeme Memorial Fountain in Falkirk commemorates the valiant Scottish knight Sir John de Graeme, who fell at the Battle of Falkirk in 1298. Situated in a tranquil park setting, this historic fountain marks the spot where he died fighting alongside William Wallace during the Wars of Scottish Independence. The site offers a peaceful place for reflection amid Falkirk’s rich heritage.
Open 24 hoursTime to spend 0.5–1.5 hrs
Clochoderick Stone
The Clochoderick Stone is a remarkable glacial erratic boulder located near Johnstone, Scotland. Towering about 12 feet high and 17 feet across, this ancient stone is steeped in local folklore and history, believed to have been moved from Inveraray some 50 miles away. It stands near the sacred St Bride's Burn and has been a notable landmark since at least the 13th century, marked in historical charters. Visitors can explore its mysterious presence and the legends surrounding this druidic rock.
Open 24 hoursTime to spend 0.5–1.5 hrs
Johnstone Castle
Johnstone Castle, located in Johnstone, Renfrewshire, Scotland, is a historic tower house with origins dating back to the 16th century. Once a grand mansion expanded in the 18th and 19th centuries by the Houston family, much of the structure was demolished mid-20th century. Today, the remaining tower stands as a protected category B listed building and private residence, offering a glimpse into Scotland’s architectural and social history amidst a modern housing development.
Time to spend 0.5–1.5 hrs
Renfrew War Memorial
The Renfrew War Memorial in Hairst Street, Renfrew, stands as a dignified tribute honoring the local men and women who sacrificed their lives in the First and Second World Wars. Featuring an octagonal sandstone plinth topped with a mercat cross design, this memorial commemorates the valor and sacrifice of those from Renfrew and its vicinity, bearing inscriptions of significant battles and names of fallen soldiers.
Open 24 hoursTime to spend 0.2–1 hr
Clairinsh
Clairinsh, known as 'The Flat Island,' is a small wooded island in Loch Lomond, central Scotland, steeped in Highland history and natural beauty. Covered in ancient oak trees entwined with ivy and shaped like a fish when viewed from above, this protected nature reserve lies just offshore from Balmaha. Once the fortress and gathering place of Clan Buchanan, the island now serves as a sanctuary for wildlife and a window into Scotland's medieval past, with ruins and archaeological remains telling stories of centuries gone by.
Time to spend 0.5–2 hrs
Walkinshaw Brickworks
Walkinshaw Brickworks, located on Walkinshaw Road in Renfrew, Scotland, was a significant industrial site producing bricks from local mud and clay until its closure in the early 1970s. Once part of a broader network of Scottish brickworks, it played an important role in the region's manufacturing history before being demolished. Today, the site stands as a historical landmark reflecting Renfrew’s industrial past.
Open 24 hoursTime to spend 0.5–1.5 hrs
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