ALISON RENNIE
Paisley Abbey will be the star of tomorrow’s BBC Songs of Praise.
Producers of the faith programme, together with presenter Katherine Jenkins, visited the town at the end of March and staff at the abbey were told to keep the visit secret until now.
Katherine spoke to Reverend Elspeth McKay, the first female minister at Paisley Abbey, as well as George McPhee, the abbey’s director of music, who demonstrated the abbey’s magnificent 150-year-old organ..
Linda Bartlett, manager of Paisley Abbey, said: “It was a beautiful day when they came here, the sun was shining.
“Katherine interviewed Elspeth in the cloisters and it was looking beautiful.
“The producers were also interested in asking us about the gargoyles, especially the alien one, so that might be part of it.
“They filmed inside the Abbey and spoke to George as well.”
It’s not the first time Paisley’s 859-year-old abbey has featured in the long-running BBC programme.
Producers last visited in 2013 to mark its 850th anniversary, with traditional hymns and songs sung and presenter Sally Magnusson discovering the origins of the world-famous Paisley pattern.
Reverend Elspeth McKay took over as minister at the abbey from Rev Alan Birss, who retired last August after 32 years in the role.
She said: “We were delighted to welcome Songs of Praise to Paisley Abbey.
“I hope viewers enjoy seeing the abbey and our town on the show.”
Katherine also spoke to Russell
Macmillan, who is registered blind and who spoke about why he helps those in need in
East Renfrewshire with small acts of kindness that make a big difference.
Local Christian Liz New told Katherine why she felt compelled to help those in Ukraine, and the show looks at what other Christian charities are doing to help.
YolanDa Brown met John and Isobel Gibson, from Callander, whose faith helped them cope when their son, Cameron, tragically took his own life.
The show includes comforting and uplifting music from around Scotland, including the hymns Praise My Soul the King of Heaven and All My Hope on God Is Founded, and a performance of What a Friend We Have in Jesus by the band Celtic Worship.
The episode, called Living Faith in Paisley, is due to be broadcast at 1.15pm on BBC One tomorrow.
We were delighted to welcome Songs of Praise to Paisley Abbey. I hope viewers enjoy seeing the abbey and our town on the show
Rev Elspeth McKay