Weaver's Cottage

Step into Weaver’s Cottage and be transported back to the days when Kilbarchan was at the heart of the thriving Scottish textile industry. This restored historic 18th-century cottage near Glasgow vividly recreates the living and working conditions of a typical handloom weaver. See how a traditional tartan was made 200 years ago, completely by hand using original equipment in a unique setting. You can also have a go at weaving on a modern equivalent and try your hand with a spinning wheel.

There are hundreds of tiny tartan fabric samples on display, all hand-woven in the village, and you can also see examples of the world-famous Paisley pattern. But it’s not all about weaving – the cottage has a fascinating collection of period furnishings, household objects, photographs and parish records, giving a real insight into everyday life in Scotland before the Industrial Revolution.