Kilmacolm
The beautiful village of Kilmacolm lies inland between Port Glasgow and Paisley. The village grew from a small rural hamlet founded in the 7th or 8th century and takes its name from the Church of Columba.
The railway arrived in 1869 and Kilmacolm became a popular residential area for people working in Greenock, Paisley and Glasgow. Many of Scotland's finest architects of the period, including Mackintosh and Salmon, were commissioned to build grand homes. Part of the village is now a conservation area, and the quality of the buildings ensures that it remains a much sought after residential village.
In the countryside to the south of Kilmacolm, the 19th century philanthropist William Quarrier founded a village for homeless children, far away from the deprivations of Victorian Glasgow. Today with new housing complementing the original village and small businesses established, the community has developed a vibrant multi-faceted environment with care provision still at its heart. The craft centre, coffee house, museum and heritage trail re-inforce the visitor appeal of this attractive village