Coats Observatory

Coats Observatory in Paisley, Renfrewshire, is Scotland's oldest public observatory, opening its telescopes to visitors since the 19th century.

About Coats Observatory

Located on Oakshaw Street West in Paisley, the observatory has been operational since 1 October 1883, offering members of the public the chance to view the night sky through the telescopes housed inside. It has held onto that role for well over a century, making it a landmark of Scottish public astronomy.

History

Coats Observatory opened in 1883 and has continued to function ever since, surviving as one of the longest-running public observatories in the country.

Visiting Coats Observatory

The observatory and its adjoining museum buildings have been undergoing a major refurbishment, a four-year, £42 million transformation project, with a planned reopening in 2025. Given the scale of the works, it's worth checking the current status directly before planning a visit, as timelines for major heritage projects can shift.

Location & getting there

The observatory sits in Paisley, Renfrewshire, a town just west of Glasgow in Scotland, on Oakshaw Street West.

See your named star from here

A star named through Star Register comes with precise coordinates in the sky. Once Coats Observatory reopens, its telescopes could be used to find that exact right ascension and declination. In the meantime, browse the star catalogue to see your named star's details.