Houston Houston is the main settlement of the parish and a substantial
village. It also contains the residential settlement of
Craigends, divided from the rest of the village by the
River Gryffe to the north
Crosslee Crosslee is a smaller village to the south-east of Houston.
Killellan Killellan, whilst formerly a parish in its own right, did not have any single developed settlement. Its built environment consisted of numerous small farms with a few other enterprises such a mill and
smithy, with the parish church providing a religious focus for the community. Following the amalgamation of the Houston and Killallen parishes, the parish church - dedicated to
St Fillan (Faelan of Cluain Moescna) - fell into ruin. Now a
scheduled ancient monument, the remains of the church lie around four miles (6 km) from the centre of Houston on the High Road to
Kilmacolm at together with some other buildings which remain in use. Previously within the holdings of Elderslie Estates, in 2005 the church was gifted to the Kilallan Kirk Trust, a registered charity. The name of
Killellan derives from the
Scots Gaelic term for 'cell' or 'church' of Fillan as a result of the dedication of its former parish church. Killellan or Killallan is spelled somewhat differently with usage remaining inconsistent. 'Killellan' is used by both the modern
Gazetteer for Scotland, the
Church of Scotland and the Community Council, whilst 'Killallen' is favoured in the 18th and 19th century
Statistical Accounts, 'Kilallan' in the name of the 2005-created Kilallan Kirk Trust and 'Kilellan' by
Renfrewshire Council. The hamlet surrounds the former Mill of Barochan on the Barochan Burn. Close-by was the original site of the
Barochan Cross, a
Celtic Christian cross possibly carved in the 8th century. It was moved a short distance in the late 19th century before being taken to
Paisley Abbey for preservation.
Rural hinterland The rural parts of the parish include a number of farms and small woodlands. The Barochan Moss lies in the east of the parish, and Haddockston House in the north. The Locher Water and the
River Gryffe run through the south of the parish. A tributary of the Gryffe, Houston Burn, runs through the village of Houston.
ROF Bishopton, a
Royal Ordnance Factory surrounding Dargavel House currently operated by
BAE Systems, straddles the north-east boundaries of the parish. ==Government and politics==