PAISLEY WITCHES TOUR

A research-led walking tour exploring Paisley’s history through its streets, buildings and stories. From medieval foundations to industrial power, this is an introduction to the town as it really is.

The last mass witch execution in Europe, remembered through place-based storytelling.

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What this tour explores

The Paisley Witches Tour follows the historical record, guiding visitors through the places, decisions and beliefs that led to the events of 1697.

The 1697 trials

Court records, accusations and the social conditions that allowed fear to take hold.

Maxwellton Cross

The burial site of the victims and the origins of the horseshoe as a marker of remembrance.

Gallow Green

The execution site where seven people were strangled and burned on 10 June 1697.

Memory and legacy

How Paisley has remembered, reshaped and lived with this history over generations.

How the tour works

This is a guided walking tour lasting around two hours, delivered in small groups to allow space for reflection, discussion and questions.

The route follows real locations connected to the events of 1697. The story is presented through documented evidence, historical accounts and careful interpretation, rather than speculation or sensationalism.

The tour is suitable for ages 12 and over and is delivered in clear, accessible language. This is not an entertainment experience, but a respectful exploration of a difficult history.

The Maxwellton Cross horseshoe

In 1697, the ashes of those executed were buried at Maxwellton Cross. According to tradition, an iron horseshoe was hammered into the ground to prevent the “curse” from rising again.

Whether superstition or symbolism, the horseshoe became Paisley’s marker of remembrance. Over time, the site was marked by a carved granite tondo, later replaced by a bronze memorial designed by sculptor Alexander Stoddart in 2008.

The original historic tondo, missing for 16 years, resurfaced in 2024 and is now safely displayed in the Discover Paisley Hub.

The gold Celtic horseshoe symbol used throughout this tour honours that layered history of memory, protection and place.

A living legacy

£2.50 from each ticket supports Renfrewshire Witch Hunt 1697 SCIO, helping fund research, education and community engagement connected to this history.

By taking part in the tour, visitors directly support remembrance and ongoing heritage work in Paisley.

Duration & group size

Around two hours. Small groups to allow conversation and questions.