Bridge of Weir - History

History

Bridge of Weir was historically an area divided between the parishes of neighbouring Houston and Killellan and Kilbarchan on either side of the River Gryffe. Growing out of the lands of Ranfurly, mainly occupied by small farms, the name 'Bridge of Weir' is first recorded in the early 18th century before any village was built. The 'weir' is a reference to a salmon weir which used to be located on the Gryffe. An older name provided for the village is 'Port o'Weir', implying a river crossing; this name remained in some use even after the Bridge of Weir name had been adopted.

The bridge at Bridge of Weir was constructed at Burngill c.1770 and was considerably upgraded and widened in 1892 to allow for two-way traffic. It was finally demolished in 1964, with a more modern structure created. The bridge owes is construction to being on the route between the significant towns of Greenock and Paisley, with a Great Road constructed between the two in 1794. Also significant to the infrastructure of the emerging settlement was the construction of the Glasgow, Paisley and Ardrossan canal which, despite its name, was only constructed up to nearby Johnstone. The Johnstone to Bridge of Weir route was formalised on the 20 June 1864 by the construction of Bridge of Weir railway station which went on to substantially alter the character of the village and contribute vastly to its forthcoming affluence. The railway closed on 10 January 1983 and now forms part of the Clyde to Forth cycle route (National Cycle Route 75).

The first semblances of the village came to be with the rise of the West of Scotland cotton industry, the Gryffe being used to power numerous mills. Its most significant industry, however, was to emerge in leather. 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.

In 1989, the benches of the British Parliament's House of Commons and House of Lords chambers in Westminster were reupholstered using Bridge of Weir leather.