Site Report

WoSASPIN 7695
NS46SE 2.1 4854 6391.
(NS 4854 6391) The site of the chapter house, refectory etc of Paisley Abbey is occupied by the "Place of Paisley", built in the late 16th (TSA 1962) or 17th (SDD List 1963) century by Claud Hamilton, commendator of Paisley after the Reformation, later occupied by his descendants the Earls of Abercorn and in the 17th century by the Earl of Dundonald. In the 18th and 19th centuries it degenerated to dwelling houses; after renovation it now serves as the manse for the Abbey church.
The NE block is not the L-plan, four storeys high; a large, two storeyed addition was made to the S in 1675; further buildings (see plan: NS46SE 2) were removed in 1874. These buildings probably incorporate parts of the old monastic walls. The W entrance tower was raised and other alterations made in 1961-2.
D MacGibbon and T Ross 1892

NS 48542 63917
The Historic Scotland Listing description suggests that the present building is of 17th century date, later restored and with its western tower built in 1964 under the direction of J Steel Maitland, architect. It is further described as a mansion occupying the east and south sides of the former abbey cloister. It is built of rubble with ashlar dressings. The NE block is T-plan of 4 storeys with attic. The W gabled wall is 2-bay with small-paned sash windows on each floor and small attic windows. The E wall has one window on each floor. the N wall abuts St Mirren's Chapel. The S wall has no windows to ground floor and the 3rd floor windows are raised through the eaves and have dormer heads. A short arm projects with forestair to 1st floor. There is a slate roof with crowstepped skews and skewputts with end stacks. The large southern addition dates from 1675, and is L-plan, of 2-storeys with attic. It is similarly detailed to the NE block. The west gable has a straight skew to south and 1 step to the north skew. From the west end wall project two square towers, the one to the north was raised 1961-2 with blocked segmentally-arched door at ground level. It has a pyramidal slate roof. The S tower is 2-storey and continues the roof of the main block with a piend at the corner and a straight skew to the north wall. The interior of the building has some panelled rooms and fireplaces to the 1st and 2nd floors. There is a fine late-17th century ceiling to the SE room on the 2nd floor.
The former west wing containing the oldest portions of the structure was pulled down in 1874. Information of 1964 alterations from architect.