The Russell Institute

This landmark building in the centre of Paisley was designed by the architect J Steel Maitland and was the first building in the west of Scotland to have a skeleton fabric of reinforced concrete. It was opened in 1927 by the Princess Royal- the aunt of the present Queen. It was a child welfare clinic and had x ray facilities, a dental clinic, ENT facilities and other medical treatments.

The exterior decoration includes a guardian angel with the legend, A DEO SALUS, or Health Comes From God. Inside the entrance hall was of Italian marble.

The money for the building was donated by Miss Agnes Russell in memory of her brothers who died in 1913 and 1920. Sadly Miss Russell died in June 1926 before the building was completed.

It is no longer used and has lain empty for some time but it was announced recently that it would be refurbished and a new use found for it.