75th Anniversary Road Trip

On an very pleasant October's day, Monday 2nd October, 2023, to the day, 75 years on from my parents wedding, I decided to take a road trip to Paisley, and visit all the main sights of their wedding. I had been to most of them before, but many years ago, and never in the context of their wedding day. All had a new meaning. And the main one, the building of the former St Columba's church in Paisley's Oakshaw area, I have never been before. It was the biggest eye opener. And being there, and to the minute at the moments at which the wedding ceremony would have taken place, brought to life black and white wedding photographs. I felt I was there. 75 years late, but there.

7 Marjory Drive, Gallowhiill Paisley. The Crossan family home, from which my mum, Isobel Crossan, left to get married on 2nd October, 1948

33 Lochfield Drive Lochfield, Paisley, The Smart family home, of Isabella and Tommy, from which my dad, John Smart left to be married on 2nd October, 1948

St Coumba.s Church, Oakshaw, Paisley, where the Wedding took place a 4pm on Saturday,2nd October, 1948

Me with flowers from my garden in Dollar on the steps which my parents walked down as a married couple precisely 75 years earlier. For my mum. My dad would have wanted my to bring them for her.

St Columba's was one of 9 churches which all used to serve the Oakshaw Community. Due to depopulation, and a general loss of faith, there is only one functioning church remaining in the area, Trinity Church of Scotland. St Columba's, the Gaelic church in Paisley, relocated to Foxbar, Paisley in 1958.

Paisley Town Hall, Where the Wedding Reception to place on the evening of Saturday 2 October