Coats Observatory

Coats Observatory is the oldest public observatory in Scotland and was gifted to the people of Paisley by Thomas Coats and designed by Glasgow Architect John Honeyman.

About Coats Observatory

	49 Oakshaw Street West, Paisley PA1 2DE
	03003001210
	Coats Observatory Website
	Facebook information can be found here

Listed Under Attractions - Visitor Centres / Attractions - Days Out / Attractions - Museums

Coats Observatory opened in 1883 and has been welcoming everyone with an interest in astronomy ever since.

The observatory has recently installed a state-of-the-art digital planetarium, purchased from the Thomas Coats bequest, which allows visitors to enjoy the wonders of the night sky from the comfort of their own chair.

This new planetarium can project thousands of stars in an accurate representation of the night sky highlighting constellations and zooming in on objects too faint to be seen except through a powerful telescope. High resolution images of distant galaxies, nebulae and star clusters can now be viewed in incredible detail.

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Upcoming Events at Coats Observatory

Outdoor

Dark Sky Viewing Nights

Selected dates between 20th January 2025 - 10th March 2025

Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park, Lochwinnoch

Take a closer look at Renfrewshire's stunning night sky at a series of Dark Sky Viewing Nights led by Led by John Pressly, Science Curator at One Ren's Paisley Museum, and the Countryside Rangers!

Paisley Museum

Paisley Museum High Street, Paisley PA1 2BA

Paisley Museum is a 4 star visitor attraction located in the heart of Paisley. It houses a wealth of treasures, from Egyptian artefacts to reminders of our industrial past and our natural heritage!

Visitor Centres

Greenock Cut Visitor Centre

Greenock Cut Visitor Centre Cornalees Bridge, Inverkip PA16 9LX

Situated in the heart of Inverclyde’s historic water catchment area, the Greenock Cut is a scheduled monument with fantastic views and trails.

Visitor Centres

Lamont Farm Project

Lamont City Farm Barrhill Road, Erskine PA8 6EZ

Lamont Farm Project is a vibrant community project located in Erskine where you can meet a wide variety of domesticated animals, including sheep, goats, horses, ducks, hens, llamas and rabbits!

Visitor Centres

RSPB Lochwinnoch Nature Reserve

RSPB Lochwinnoch Nature Reserve Largs Road, Lochwinnoch PA12 4JF

RSPB Lochwinnoch is the best place in the west of Scotland for family fun, wild days out and discovering nature with an excellent RSPB shop, visitor centre and visitor trails.

Visitor Centres

Muirshiel Country Park

Muirshiel Country Park Calder Glen Road, Lochwinnoch PA12 4LB

Muirshiel Visitor Centre & Country Park gives easy access to 'great walking in hen harrier countryside' in what was once an impressive Victorian shooting estate!

Visitor Centres

Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park

Castle Semple Visitor Centre and Country Park Lochlip Road, Lochwinnoch PA12 4EA

Clyde Muirshiel is Scotland's largest Regional Park - a great place to easily enjoy the outdoors. The Park is just west of Glasgow, south of Greenock, east of Largs and north of Ardrossan!

Visitor Centres

Castle Semple Country Park

Castle Semple Country Park Lochlip Road, Lochwinnoch PA12 4EA

Castle Semple Visitor Centre and Country Park is the gateway to Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park with wonderful water for outdoor activities plus walks, wildlife and woodlands.

Visitor Centres