The Mystery of Why There’s an “alien” Gargoyle on a 12th - Century scottish abbey May have been solved

The Mystery Of Why There’s An “Alien” Gargoyle On A 12th-Century Scottish Abbey May Have Been Solved For years now, any sci-fi film buffs who have visited Paisley Abbey in Scotland may have been startled by an unnervingly familiar sight. There is something uncanny about a stone gargoyle on the structure’s lofty heights. One of the decorative carvings on the centuries-old building’s exterior bears a striking resemblance to an all-too-recognizable movie monster. The place of worship has become a place of pilgrimage and wonder for Ridley Scott fans. But now, the mystery of the Alien gargoyle looks to have been resolved once and for all. Paisley in the Scottish county of Renfrewshire is seven miles away from Glasgow and is known as Scotland’s largest town. It has a population of more than 77,000 citizens, but nonetheless Paisley is still not officially classed as a city. Still, that did not stop the good people of the town from organizing a campaign to win the U.K. City of Culture title for 2021. While ultimately unsuccessful, the bid reflected the regeneration that Paisley is currently undergoing. Regardless of what happens in the future, Paisley looms large in the history of Scotland. During the industrial revolution, for instance, the town became a hotbed for weaving – and was the birthplace of the famed Paisley pattern design. Sadly, however, by the close of the 20th century, every single one of its mills had closed down. Going further back through history, the town was a significant religious center in the 12th century, thanks to the construction of Paisley Abbey which still stands proudly today. The first christian use of the site was as far back as the 7th century. Indeed, the Irish missionary Saint Mirin apparently established a community there. A chapel within Paisley Abbey is dedicated to the saint, and the town’s soccer club is named in his honor. The abbey site eventually became a prominent pilgrimage spot, following the building of a shrine to Saint Mirin sometime after his death. Then, in 1163, a group of monks arrived and built a priory, under a charter issued by the nobleman Walter fitz Alan, the first High Steward of Scotland. The current holder of that title is Charles, Prince of Wales. ...