Sma’ Shot Day

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Paisley's annual Sma' Shot day event, one of the oldest workers' festivals in the UK, will take place this year on Saturday 5th July!

About Sma’ Shot Day

Listed Under Days Out Events / Community Events / Dance Events / Exhibitions Events / Family and Kids Events / Food and Drink Events / Gala Days Events / History Events / Music Events / Shopping Events / Summer Holiday Events / Theatre Events

Sma’ Shot Day is Paisley’s annual celebration of the historic victory of local weavers in a famous dispute.

Sma’ Shot Day is celebrated on the first Saturday of each July. This was when weaving families would traditionally take their holiday ‘doon the watter’.

Join us on Saturday 5th July for Paisley’s day – we’ve got lots going on!

Sma’ Shot Parade
12pm – 1pm
Brodie Park to Abbey Close
Co-ordinated by Bridgeman Arts in collaboration with community groups, performers and musicians, this year’s parade returns to Paisley town centre.

Bringing to life the traditional weaver’s celebration in honour of the victory, and telling some exciting, undiscovered stories of weavers’ past.

Groups engaged in the pre-parade programme include:

Tannahill Youth Group
Renfrewshire Carers Centre
STAR Project
Pals of Privies
Right2dance
Vivace Theatre School
Loud n Proud

These groups will be joined on the day by:

Paisley Rugby Club
Paisley Youth Football Team
RockUs Choir
Caitlin Bonnar Dance
Cameron School of Dance (Ferguslie)
Shaun Moore Paisley Poets (8-10 local poets) – they will accompany the giant poet
Shopmobility Renfrewshire
PACE Youth Theatre
Stage Door Performance
Rachel Elliot Dance
Trade Unions
University of the Third Age
Inspire School of Dance
WASPI Women
ArtBoss
Schools of African Cultures and others

The parade will include the traditional Sma Shot banners that exemplify aspects of weavers’ history in Paisley, as well as contemporary banners that have been created by community groups over the years.

2025 will showcase two new giant puppets, the first inspired by traditional musicians of the time and the second inspired by poet figures such as the ‘Bàrd Phàislig’ or ‘The Paisley Bard’, Donald ‘Ruadh’ MacIntyre, one of the most famous bards (poets) of the 20th century who was thought to be as talented as poets such as the weaver poet Robert Tannahill.

Burning of the Cork
1.30pm-1.45pm
Preceded by a performance from Tannahill Makar, Shaun Moore.

Followed by a dance performance from young people from local dance group right2dance.

Where possible we will update our listings to notify of cancelled, postponed and rescheduled events, however we STRONGLY ADVISE that you check with the venue/organiser in the first instance for updates.

All information (whether in text or photographs) is supplied in good faith but should not be relied upon as being a statement of representation or fact.

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Other Events at Sma Shot Cottages

History

Sma’ Shot Cottages

Selected dates between 2nd April 2025 - 27th September 2025

Sma Shot Cottages, Paisley

The Sma' Shot Cottages are a major attraction in the Renfrewshire area, providing visitors with an insight into two distinct periods of Paisley's weaving history!

Halloween

Sma Shots Halloween Experience

24th October 2025 - 1st November 2025

Sma Shot Cottages, Paisley

Step into the shadows of Paisley's eerie past for a night of ghostly encounters and spine-chilling surprises when the Sma Shots Halloween Experience returns this October!

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