Johnstone factfile

How to get to Johnstone
Johnstone is a small town in Renfrewshire, Scotland, 5 km (3 mi) west of Paisley. Glasgow is a 20-minute drive east of Johnstone, down the A737 and the M8, or a 15-minute train ride.

Johnstone through the ages
Johnstone is a product of the Industrial Revolution. It was planned as a mill town and built in 1782 to house the industries of George Houston, Laird of Johnstone, the local landowner.

The economy of Johnstone was based on the three Ms—mining, mills and machine tools. In 1860 there was a disaster at a pit in Johnstone; five miners were killed and mining stopped in the town.

Famous people from Johnstone
Sir George Reid, Prime Minister of Australia 1904-5, was born in Johnstone. His family migrated to Victoria, Australia in 1852.

Famous landmarks in Johnstone
Johnstone was designed on a grid pattern with two central squares. The centrepiece of Houstoun Square is a bandstand. This much-cherished landmark was gifted to Johnstone in 1891 by John Ludovic Houstoun, apparently after overhearing that Johnstone was dull!

In the other central square, Ludovic Square, stands Johnstone High Parish Kirk, an octagonal church dating back to the foundation of Johnstone.

Natural beauty spots around Johnstone
A favourite walk in the area is from Johnstone to Paisley through the Gleniffer Braes Country Park. This 1,300-acre upland park is mainly moorland, with wooded areas.

Sports and leisure in Johnstone
Johnstone's swimming pool is the deepest in Renfrewshire, with a maximum depth of 3m (10 ft). Johnstone has a challenging 18-hole golf course at the Cochrane Castle Golf Club. The 18-hole Elderslie Golf Club is just outside Johnstone.

St Johnstone's FC is one of Scotland's bigger football teams, but it actually has nothing to do with the town of Johnstone, and is based in Stirling.

Eating and drinking in Johnstone
Indian food is popular in Johnstone, with several restaurants in the town centre.