The Fire
Engine was purchased in London in 1765 and brought all the way on
it's own wheels to Kilbarchan (it now resides in the Transport Museum in
Glasgow), but is exhibited on "Lilias Day" (a fete which the village
celebrates each year). The
Steeple had a bell from it's earliest days. This bell was rung at six o'clock in
the morning, at six o'clock in the evening, and again at ten o'clock at night,
the village resounded to this bell's notes as the ringer
"tolls the knell of the parting day", unfortunately this is not done
anymore, the bell only tolling now on a Sunday "calling the worshippers".
A clock having but one dial face
was added at this time, installed on the North side facing the cross, but three
more faces were added in 1782.
A
balustrade was also placed above the clocks having five balusters in each
square, for the safety of people wishing to walk round the belfry and enjoy the
view of the village and its ordered existence.
On the North face below the clock is a niche containing a statue of Habbie
Simpson, piper of Kilbarchan, who lived from 1550 to 1620.During this period he
kept the streets alive with his piping.
Read the inscription on the door and then look up to Habbie...
the inscription reads "not on his right shoulder" this means he was a
"corrie fisted" (left handed) Piper..
The original statue was
carved in wood by Archibald Robertson of Greenock in 1822, but fell into
disrepair and subsequently was replaced in 1932
by a bronze statue, the cost paid for by public subscription.
"On his drone bore bonnie flags,
This poem was also written about his death:
Kilbarchan now may say alas!
The steeple is the most prominent landmark in Kilbarchan...it literally
graces the centre of the village.
In
the year 1755 Kilbarchan Steeple, and part of the present buildings were erected
by James Milliken of Milliken esquire, and a further addition was made by him in
the year 1782. These buildings exist in their original external form today.
The building now houses upper and lower village halls, but once served at
various times as a Ladies Rest Room (used during the earlier stages as a
place of sojourn for ladies in attendance at the "fox hunt"), a Library, a Meal
Storehouse, a Schoolroom and a garage for the village horse-drawn fire engine.
In 1878 the Kirk Session sold the buildings to a Mr John Holmes, who in
turn sold it to the Parochial Board in 1879. The whole of these transactions
were of doubtful legality (the good old innocent days?).....In 1894 the buildings
were transferred to Kilbarchan Parish Council and in 1929 again transferred
and vested in the County Council of Renfrewshire.
Very unique as bagpipes are normally
played with the drones on the right shoulder.
Between 1550 to 1620 Habbie kept
the streets alive with his piping and of him it was written:
He made his cheeks as red as crimson
And babbed as he blew the bags."
The "flags" referred to were the coloured ribbons and Habbie also decked
his large hat with flowers in their season. He was rewarded for his playing
with cash, kind, and in all probability a certain amount of strong drink
which contributed towards the pigmentation of his cheeks!
Habbie Simpson the Piper of Kilbarchan
For she hath lost her Game and Grace
Both Trixie and the Maiden Trace:
But what remeid?
For no man can supply his place,
Hab Simpson’s deid.
Now who shall play ‘The day it daws’ ?
Or‘Hunt up when the cock he craws’ ?
Or who can for our Kirk-town-cause,
Stand us in stead ?
On Bagpipes now nobody blaws
Sen Habbie’s dead.
Robert Sempill of Beltrees, c1594-c1668
