Blacklandmill Bowling Club

Bowling Club In 1905 it was the turn of one of the less well known companies of the town to make the generous offer of a bowling green to their employees.

From 2005 Centenary leaflet, thanks to John Cochrane -
The two largest manufacturing companies in Paisley had established bowling greens for their employees in the late years of the 19th Century - Ferguslie Mills in 1883 and Anchor mills in 1896. Blackland was the traditional name for the area to the south west of Paisley. During the 19th century a bleaching and dye works was established on the Gl

en burn, which took the name of Blacklandmill Mill. By the beginning of this century the work extended through several large buildings and the processes drew on the water collected from the Glen Burn and the Carse Green Pond. Although not on the same scale as Ferguslie and Anchor Mills, Blacklandmill had hundreds of employees and fostered growth of social and sporting facilities. The owners had encouraged the formation of football and Athletic Club which used land adjacent to the works and a large reservoir at the back of the works was used as a curling pond in cold weather. A small bowling green was lost when the works were extended. In 1905 a group of workers got together and approached the management, Adam Hamilton and sons, with a request for a new company bowling green. The company responded by agreeing to lease the land above the Carse Green Pond to the bowlers at the cost of 10 shillings a year for 10 years - an exceptionally low rate which was no doubt intended to get the club off to a good start. The first meetings of the new were held in various parts of the works e.g. the lapping room and the school room, while the green and bowl house were being constructed. At an early date a decision was taken to open up membership to employees of three neighbouring companies - Brown & Polsons, William Fulton at Glenfield and the Nethercraigs works. Another decision was to invite gentleman of the area to become members and the first to be approached was Mr John A Brown, owner of Brown & Polsons, who lived near Blacklandmill in the house called 'Moredun'. The fees for the first year were, 10/- for Blacklndmill employees, 12/6d for employees of three other companies and 15/- for a private person. The cost of laying the green and building the club house came to £400 and the committee set about raising the funds to offset these costs. One method was to solicit donations from wealthy members of society, but, in addition to this, Blacklandmill set about a unique fund-raising effort which proved very successful. They held a raffle with three thousand tickets at three pence each. This was so successful that twenty thousand tickets were sold - an astonishing number - raising a total of £250. The bowling green was inaugurated on 20th May and Mrs George Hamilton, wife of the manager, threw a silver jack and pronounced the green open. The club continued to flourish over the years retaining a strong tie with the local community, initially people in employment locally and later those who lived locally. The building of large areas of council housing changed the emphasis in the membership and in 1955, the clubs Jubilee year, the club became independent of the dye works, owned at this time by a Manchester based firm, Bradford Bleachers and Dyers. The club was purchased from the company for £1000 - a bargain

Even today the club has a definite local character with the majority of members living in Glenburn and some families have a long tradition of membership of the club. The original Pavilion, built in 1905, still stands at the East side of the green and for many years it was the local point of activities for the club. Now it acts as the bowls house, since new premises were first built at the North side of the green in 1965. The present club house was built in 1980 around the Banbury which as then demolished from inside. An extension was added early in 2000 on the east side to provide a committee room and an office

One of the foremost players at the club was undoubtedly Adam Laing. Adam brought many achievements to Blacklandmill. He won the club championship 9 times. Adam won the P&D Single Champion of Champions in 1969 and 1974. Adam was president of the club in 1957 and went on to be President of the Renfrewshire BA in 1976 the year he won the prestigious Bournemouth singles tournament and returned home with one of the prize trophies of British bowling. The final was played before a crowd of 600 and his opponent was fellow Scot Bob Sutherland, Adam prevailing 21-17. Adams sudden death in 1978, only months after retiring, undoubtedly cut short an outstanding bowling career. The clubs golden bowling period was undoubtedly from 1989 to 2004 where Blacklandmill won the league 9 times in 16 years (4 out of 5 from 2000-04). During this time the club also won 26 P&D Cups and 12 Champion of Champion titles. We also competed and won the Thomas Cook Trophy (P&D League winners v J&D League winners) 7 times. In the Renshaw we won the Challenge Cup twice. Also the RBA Centenary Cup was won 3 times, County Cup once and the Renfrewshire top 10 twice. But the highlight of this period was winning the Scottish Interdistrict Top Ten, in 1995 at Eddlewood, Hamilton and again in 2000 at Collinton, Edinburgh

Photos from Blacklandmill Bowling Club's post

15/07/2026

Tonight is the penultimate evening in the P&D Bowling Association Leagues and with the sun shining there is a full programme of games

In Division 1 Charleston Bowling Club sit 13 points clear even after an 8-4 away defeat to Blacklandmill Bowling Club. 2nd placed Elderslie Wallace Bowling Club could only draw 6-6 at home to Caledonia Bowling Club. The final game of the evening finished a 6-6 draw as Meikleriggs Bowling Club were held at home to Hawkhead Bowling Club. This means Charleston can win the league at home this evening when the play last years Champions, Caledonia. Meikleriggs, sitting bottom 7 points behind Hawkhead, know that a victory is essential if they want to retain their 1st Division status. Tonight they are at home to Blacklandmill. Finally Hawkhead are at home to Elderslie with both clubs desperate for points for different reasons. Elderslie will know they need to better Charleston results to take the League to the last week and Hawkhead will be trying to increase the gap over Meikleriggs.

In Division 2 the shock of last week was Anchor Bowling Club losing at home 9-3 to Renfrew Bowling Club for their first defeat of the season. Wellmeadow Bowling Club closed the gap to 5 points with a 9-3 victory at Neilston. Barrhead Bowling Club eased their relegation worries with a 10-2 home victory over Kilbarchan Bowling Club who dropped to 2nd bottom. This week Anchor have a double header playing Barrhead at home this evening and Kilbarchan away tomorrow night in their rearranged match. 2 victories could clinch their return to the 1st Division. Wellmeadow travel to Kilbarchan hoping to keep up the pressure but Kilbarchan will know the next 2 evenings can go a long way to deciding their fate. Finally Neilston know only a victory away to Renfrew tonight can give them a chance to retain their Division 2 status.

Victoria Bowling Club increased their lead at top to 6 points with a 6-4 home win against Linwood Bowling Club. For the second week in a row Ralston Bowling Club lost at home 6-4, this week to Priorscroft Bowling Club. Abercorn Bowling Club won 6-4 at home to Ferguslie Bowling Club to stay 7 points behind Victoria. Tonight is an opportunity for Victoria to put themselves in a strong position for promotion as they are at home to Abercorn in what should be a great match up. Ralston Bowling Club travel to Linwood and know they need to get their stuttering promotion chances back on track with a victory. Finally Ferguslie are at home to Priorscroft as they both scrap to get away from the bottom of the table.

Good luck to all the players out this sunny evening.

15/07/2026

Second last games in the P&D Bowling Association League tonight and Blacklandmill Bowling Club are away to Meikleriggs Bowling Club .
In the Reserve League our A team suffered their first defeat of the season at Charleston Bowling Club but remain top by 2 points.
Our B team have hit form winning their last 4 games and sit equal 2nd, 4 points behind Charleston
Good luck to all our players this evening

13/07/2026

After a disappointing 3-5 defeat at home to Ralston Bowling Club in the PVBA Outdoor League Division 2 our Vets dropped to 4th place in the League. Today they travel to Victoria Bowling Club hoping to get back some momentum back as the fight for the 2nd promotion place hots up. Good luck to our Vets today.

12/07/2026

Week ahead

10/07/2026

Our Blacklandmill Trophy is on Saturday 25th July.

There will be Karaoke in the members lounge from half 6 until qauter to 1 🎤🎶👩‍🎤

09/07/2026

It is with sadness we have learnt that Past President Robert McGoff passed away last week. Robert was our President in 2014 and a colourful character about the club for many years. Our thoughts are with Margaret and all the family at this sad time.

08/07/2026

With 3 weeks to go in the P&D Bowling Association Leagues their are clear favourites in Division 1 and 2 with Division 3 still close.

In Division 1 Charleston Bowling Club continued their dominant League form with a 12-0 home win against Meikleriggs Bowling Club. Caledonia Bowling Club also had an impressive 11-1 win at home against Hawkhead Bowling Club. To round off the home dominance Elderslie Wallace Bowling Club cemented 2nd place with a 10-2 home win against Blacklandmill Bowling Club. This leaves Charleston 15 points clear at the top of the Division. Tonight they travel to Blacklandmill who have dropped to 4th after their defeat. Once again it is 2nd v 3rd as Elderslie are at home to Caledonia. Elderslie will be hoping for a good result and for Charleston to slip up. Finally Meikleriggs are at home to Hawkhead in a match that may go some way to deciding who is relegated as Meikleriggs try to claw back the 7 point deficit.

In Division 2 Anchor Bowling Club title charge was slowed as their game at Kilbarchan Bowling Club was cancelled due to the weather. Wellmeadow Bowling Club couldn't take advantage as they drew 6-6 at home to Renfrew Bowling Club and finally Neilston got a much needed 8-4 home win against Barrhead Bowling Club . This leaves Anchor who retained the Renfrewshire Bowling Association County Cup on Saturday, 11 points clear with a home game against Renfrew this evening. Neilston who are still 8 points behind 2nd bottom host Wellmeadow who need to try to keep the pressure on Anchor. Finally Kilbarchan travel to Barrhead as both teams look to move away from Neilston and relegation.

Division 3 was badly affected by the weather and Victoria Bowling Club took full advantage of the only game to win 8-2 away to Ferguslie Bowling Club opening up an 8 point gap at top of the League. Tonight Victoria are at home to Linwood Bowling Club. 2nd placed Ralston Bowling Club are at home to bottom club Priorscroft Bowling Club and will want to close the gap. 3rd placed Abercorn Bowling Club are at home to Ferguslie and will look to keep the pressure on the top 2.

Good luck to all the bowlers out this evening.

08/07/2026

Tonight is the P&D Bowling Association Leagues and our 1st Team play Charleston Bowling Club at home.
Both our Reserve Teams are away to Charleston and will hope to continue their good form.
Good luck to all our players.

06/07/2026

Our Vets retained 2nd place in the PVBA Outdoor League, Division 2 with a 4-4 draw away at Hawkhead Bowling Club last week. Today they welcome Ralston Bowling Club to Blacklandmill. Good luck to our Vets

06/07/2026

A much quieter week ahead

Claim ownership or report listing

Want your business to be the top-listed Gym/sports Facility in Paisley?

Click here to claim your Sponsored Listing.

Location

Paisley

Telephone

+441418847755

Website

https://www.oneills.com/uk_en/shop-by-team/other/blacklandmill-bowling-club.html

Address

19 Braehead Road
Paisley
PA28DZ

Blacklandmill Bowling Club

Share

Location

Category

Telephone

Website

Address