coats observatory

An interesting little Observatory hidden almost out of view of the hustle and bustle of university life at the nearby University of The West of Scotland. Access to this attraction is through the small Museum across from the University main admin building and tours are available throughout the day. Occasional special events take place throughout the year and information on these can be sought at the Museum. We combined our visit to the museum with our Observatory tour and enjoyed both tremendously.

This observatory is well worth a visit. We were lucky to see it by night and the night sky was clear and we did see a lot of the stars and constellations. This place recorded the San Francisco earthquake of 1906. It is named after the Coats family who started the Thread company.

I was totally unaware of the observatory until my wife took me there a few years ago. i have always been fascinated by space and history, two subjects that this unique place deals with. The history of the observatory is fascinating, the stories that this building has been a part of are incredible. For example the coats observatory is one of the only recording stations that recorded the San Francisco earthquake of 1906. This is a unique place to bring kids and adults alike. It's free and from October to March there are 2 viewing nights a week, weather permitting. I would urge everyone to visit.

My family and I went during Doors Open Day, so did not see it working and it was still having work done, but it was interesting and the wee lads enjoyed going up up up. I would imagine that when it is working and you can look out at the night sky it would be wonderful.

Go on a clear winter's night and you can look out the old telescope onto the moon, and then in the garden you can use the modern technology to see further. (We got to see Jupiter.) It was quite romantic really, peering up into the stars! :) Wrap up warm and venture out, totally worth it!

Looks pretty good, in middle of refurb. A good opportunity to see what will be achieved when complete. Staff really friendly. A lot of stairs so no heels ladies!

This building is stunning. Great for a bride! with its fantastic steps leading up to the front entrance.

A goog place to visit if you haven't been to an observatory before. The guides were helpful. The telescope wasn't working when we were there but the seismograph had just picked up the earthquake in Chile. Interesting Coates family anecdotes from the guide.

Even though the night we visited was overcast and the telescopes were not being used, we had a very interesting and informative evening in the Planetarium. It was a little cramped, and finding our way from the front of the museum was a bit of a trek, it was well worth the visit

I visited the coats observatory,take note the entrance is through the paisley museum.Easy to locate only a short distance from paisley Gilmore station,if you followed the signs along the high street.I attended the guided tour and the video,30 minutes each.It was an educative experience to learn that Pluto is no longer a planet?????If you have kids they would appreciate it much more I think.

If you have not seen a victorian Observatory ya gotta see this one. Staff very friendly and nothingwas to much trouble wife and I got a tour with another couple who where visiting at same time as us.

Not many people seem to know where the observatory is. It's a fascinating place to visit. Ring in advance or visit the website to check opening times and when the tours and films are. Entry was free when we visited. It's a place of wonderment.

Visited Coats Observatory on a raining and stormy November night. It was an event organised by local Geocachers. The observatory is a charming old building with an amazing planetarium. The host explained the sky with lots of interesting facts and humour. Great to see somebody that enjoys their job so much. The tour is great as well. Definately worth a visit!! We will be back to so it again on a clear night

Wee gem in the town centre, I really like this place.Great on a dark night and boasts its own planetarium if the sky is too cloudy to see put big telescope.Worth a visit.

It's like an adventure. Even though cloudy night they projected and described stars - very informative. Can't wait to go on clear night!