Circus group flys high with Scotland’s first specialist trapeze rig

The new kit comes as a result of funding from responsible finance provider Social Investment Scotland (SIS), which has provided £200,000 split between a loan and a grant to cover the cost of the new apparatus.

The full-scale flying trapeze is one of only two in the UK and will open up an additional revenue stream for the Community Interest Company as performers travel far and wide to make use of the equipment. As well as being a training centre for professionals, the circus group works closely with the local Ferguslie community, offering a range of youth activities, outreach programmes and classes attended by over 100 children and adults each week.

The circus school was established in 2021 to provide access to training space, specialist equipment and powerful tools for self-empowerment and expression, led by world-class experts in circus arts. One of its founders previously trained with Cirque Se Soleil.

As well as the flying trapeze kit, the former church building is also equipped with ariels, silks, ropes, hoops and wall-running for the full circus experience. The circus also hosts a variety of other programmes, such as working with care home residents and classes in Gaelic. To try and encourage residents to consider taking up a new hobby, the circus conducted a study with Glasgow University on the benefits of risk-taking, with respondents seeing positive benefits from doing a variety of exercises at the circus.

Shirley Alexander, director of finance at the school, commented: “We started the circus with the goal to give back to the area and make a difference, as well as put the circus community of Scotland on the map. We see a lot of heart here in Paisley, so we are looking to play up to what’s strong, not what’s wrong.

“We care about our people, our visitors and our performers, and we want them to have the best facilities for them to excel in their hobbies and careers, which is exactly what the new flying trapeze rig will do. Our location in the former parish church is perfect, as the high ceilings meant we were ready to go when it came to adding the new apparatus. We want to continue nurturing our talent but also give back to the people of Paisley with our various outreach programmes.”