Auld Friends Step Back in Time with Local History Session
Members of our Auld Friends Group enjoyed a fascinating afternoon of local history as Lil Brookes joined us to share stories, maps and memories of Johnstone and Johnstone Castle.
Using historic maps dating from 1857 and 1897, Lil guided the group through the development of Johnstone, exploring how the town has changed over the years and sharing stories about the Houston family, the former Lairds of Johnstone, and their connection to Johnstone Castle. The session even included the remarkable story of composer Frédéric Chopin's stay at Johnstone Castle in 1848.
The maps sparked plenty of discussion, with group members eagerly searching for familiar streets, landmarks and local features. Armed with magnifying glasses, everyone enjoyed comparing old maps with the Johnstone they know today, sharing memories and uncovering pieces of local history together.
As always, the afternoon was also a great opportunity to enjoy a chat and catch up with friends over refreshments. We would like to thank Renfrewshire Council's Winter Connections Fund for supporting the group and helping us provide sandwiches, cakes, tea and coffee for attendees.
A huge thank you to Lil Brookes for another engaging and informative session. The group thoroughly enjoyed learning more about the history of the area and exploring the stories hidden within the old maps.
