James R. McKay served as Provost from 1950-1959
The following article was published by Eddie McRorie in January 2022 on the Johnstone History Facebook page and is reproduced here with his kind permission.
By Eddie McRorie
I originally set out to write about the state of the old bookies’ premises on Beith Road, but instead I found myself going down memory lane—tracing the story of a man who made a remarkable contribution to Johnstone: Provost James Rankin McKay.
Driving past the now-defunct bookies next to Bradley’s store at The Thorn, I was saddened by the poor condition of the property. Once, this same building was known as The Floral Hall, which adjoined The Clock Café—distinguished by a large clock above its door.
The Clock Café wasn’t just a café. It also housed a general store, an ice cream counter, and a very busy Post Office. Where Bradley’s now has a green frontage, The Clock Café once gleamed in high-gloss black, its clock lending an air of class.
The Floral Hall, run by J. R. McKay, was a bustling catering venue. It hosted dances, weddings, and weekday lunches, often accompanied by live dance bands—Willie Holborn’s band being one of the best remembered.
The Thorn at that time was almost a village of its own, with The Clock Café at its heart. Nearby were the Thorn Inn, the Co-operative grocery and butchers, a small grocer, a dairy, and Wishart the bakers.
James R. McKay was one of ten children of John McKay, a threadmill foreman, and Jessie McSporran. Born in Paisley, it is unclear what first drew him to Johnstone.
In 1923, James (then a chauffeur) married Catherine Hutton (a clerk) at 14 Moss Street, Paisley. The banns were read by the Salvation Army. They went on to have two sons:
Irvine (1927–1950), who sadly died at the age of 23
James Jr. (1935–2014), who followed his father into the post office and shop business, later opening a shop in Johnstone Castle
In 1950, tragedy struck when Irvine passed away. Only three years later, Catherine also died, leaving James a widower at Thorn House, the family home behind his businesses.
Thorn House was quite grand in James’s day, with manicured gardens, an ornamental fishpond, and even a dovecote of fantail pigeons. It was divided into two flats—James Sr. occupying the lower, his son James Jr. the upper.
The Clock Café was also something of a pioneer’s hub—James installed one of the first Coca-Cola machines in the area, dispensing chilled glass bottles.
My mother, Betty McRorie (née Cowan), worked there as postmistress for “Wee McKay,” as she fondly called him. The post office was always busy—handling pensions, family allowances, letters, and parcels in the pre-internet age. The café and shop thrived alongside it, selling newspapers and cigarettes.
The Floral Hall remained a popular venue for community events, and James always styled himself a master caterer or purveyor.
Despite his many businesses, James was deeply involved in civic life:
Provost of Johnstone (1950–1959), notably welcoming Queen Elizabeth II during her visit
Right Worshipful Master of Lodge Houstoun St Johnstone 242
Patron of the Order of the Eastern Star
Founder of the Johnstone Pipe Band (1943), which still proudly wears the Blue McKay tartan
First President of Johnstone Burgh FC (1953), coinciding with the building of Keanie Park
In recognition of his service, McKay Crescent, close to his businesses and home, was named in his honour. In 1974, he was also made a Freeman of the Burgh of Johnstone.
The Floral Hall was eventually sold and converted into a bookmakers, which changed hands several times before closing.
James R. McKay passed away in 1980, aged 80. His second wife, Ann Cowan (whom he married in 1959), had sadly predeceased him in 1967, aged just 55.
A final memory worth noting: among James’s paperboys was a 12-year-old named Derek Parker, who would later become a respected Renfrewshire historian.
What began as a reflection on a derelict building turned into a journey through the life of a man whose enterprises, leadership, and community spirit shaped Johnstone for generations.
I have included a beautiful wedding picture that Ann McMillan whose wedding was
in the Floral Hall and had previously posted on the site
