Historically, East Renfrewshire formed part of the larger Renfrewshire county. In the 1970s, most of the area broke away to become a new council district called Eastwood. The area was later renamed East Renfrewshire after gaining a part of Renfrew District (namely Barrhead) in 1996.
Neighboured by the City of Glasgow to the northeast and Renfrewshire to the northwest. East Renfrewshire’s other neighbouring councils are South Lanarkshire, East Ayrshire and North Ayrshire.
The largest settlements in East Renfrewshire include Giffnock, Newton-Mearns, Clarkston and Neilston. Smaller settlements include Barrhead, the home of the world-renowned Shanks of Barrhead and Eaglesham, the birthplace of Robert Pollok who penned the epic poem Course of Time.
The industrial era brought many changes to agriculture and caused a boom in the cotton industry. Earlier sites exist such as the underground dwellings found in Overlee Park and the 14th century Mearns Castle.
Here are a few items to help you explore East Renfrewshire