AMBITIOUS plans for a new museum that will tell the history of Renfrewshire’s villages have moved a step closer after council chiefs agreed to look at funding options.

Councillor Andy Doig, who represents Johnstone North, Kilbarchan and Lochwinnoch, is keen to see a Museum of Village Heritage and Culture being opened in Kilbarchan.

It is hoped the former Kilbarchan West Church and Hall can be transformed to accommodate the museum, coinciding with Paisley’s bid to become UK City of Culture in 2021.

Cllr Doig believes the museum could boost Renfrewshire’s economy in the same way as the historic Rosslyn Chapel has led to a tourism boom in Midlothian.

And he has welcomed Renfrewshire Council’s decision to agree to his request for funding options to be explored.

Cllr Doig, who became an Independent councillor following his recent split from the SNP, said: “Just as Perth are using the Charterhouse Project, which involves the excavation of the tomb of King James I of Scotland, to promote their 2021 bid, so does Paisley and Renfrewshire need to dig deep into our medieval roots to create new heritage tourism jobs and opportunities for the future.

“Recent visitor figures at Rosslyn Chapel place it at around 144,000 per annum and it is not unreasonable to say that a new Museum of Village Heritage and Culture could be the Rosslyn of the West.

“This would tell the historical story of Renfrewshire’s village communities and how they related to Paisley Abbey, run by the Cluniac Monks, both to boost Kilbarchan and the Paisley bid.”

Renfrewshire boasts a heritage rich with historical significance.

More than a decade ago, artefacts that may have been connected to the Knights Templars were found in the grounds of the former West Church.

In addition, the original Inchinnan Preceptory was a Templar headquarters, while the Collegiate Church, in Lochwinnoch, contains Templar graveyards.

And, for many years, the Weaver’s Cottage has attracted tourists to Kilbarchan from far and wide, eager to explore the area’s links to the weaving industry.

Renfrewshire Council has said Paisley’s bid to be UK City of Culture is taking place as part of a wider push to use the town’s internationally significant heritage story to transform the area’s future.

Mark Macmillan, council leader, insists all of Renfrewshire will be able to share the benefits should Paisley see off its ten rivals, including Perth, to win the money-spinning honour.

He said: “If the bid was successful, we hope to attract one million visitors to Paisley in 2021– and all of Renfrewshire’s tourist attractions will be marketed in a joined-up way to make sure those visitors can find out what is on offer across the whole area.

“To support that, a new Renfrewshire Tourism Strategy to 2021 is being developed to promote the area’s tourist and visitor offer, with specific focus on the area’s cultural heritage and built environment.”