WEIR-BRIDGE-OF, a village, and quoad sacra parish (for a time),
partly in the parish of Houston-and-KiLLALLAN, and partly in the parish of Kilbarchan,
Upper ward of the county of Renfrew; containing 1571
inhabitants, of whom 1432 are in the village, 4 miles
(N. W. by W.) from Johnstone, and 7 miles (VV. by N.)
from Paisley. This thriving village stands on the river
Gryfe, by which it is divided into two nearly equal
parts; and is indebted for its prosperity to the cotton
manufacture so extensively carried on in the parishes of
which it forms a portion. It is neatly built, and pleasantly
situated, within a mile and a half of Houston,
and about two miles to the north-west of Kilbarchan.
The manufacture was estabhshed here about the year
1790, since which time it has been gradually increasing
in importance, there being now five large cotton-mills,
in which about 500 of the population are constantly employed.
The articles manufactured are chiefly of the
finer sort; and the mills, which are driven by the river
Gryfe, are fitted up with machinery on the best principles.
A tannery occupies a considerable number of persons:
the several handicraft trades requisite for the various
works, and for the supply of the neighbourhood, are
carried on; and there are shops for the sale of groceries
and other goods. The village contains a branch postoflSce
which has a regular delivery. Facility of communication
is afforded by turnpike-roads which pass
through the parish, by the Glasgow and Ayr railway, and
by canal-boats for goods from Johnstone to Paisley and
Glasgow. In 1846 an act was passed authorizing the
construction of a line from the Glasgow and Ayr railway
at Johnstone to Bridge-of-Weir. The church,
erected in 1826, is a plain structure, and till 1839 was a
place of worship for some members of the United Secession,
who at that time were received into connexion with
the Established Church. In 1843 the building passed
into the possession of the Free Church body. A day
and evening school in the village, which affords instruction
to about 200 pupils, is supported partly by endowment,
and partly by the fees.