This was one of the deciding factors for its location, as UK explosives factories were built near to sea level to take account of their favourable microclimates.

[citation needed] The site consisted of three, almost self-contained explosive-manufacturing factories; with a common administration group and workshop support service.

There was a long delay in opening the first factory due to the critical shortage of a guaranteed water supply.

It also housed the administration block, a few of the site's many canteens, ambulance station, medical centre, mortuary and the motor transport section.

Some of the buildings in factory III, which was built last, such as the power station, were clad with corrugated iron to reduce costs.

[citation needed] ROF Bishopton had an RDX plant installed at the site during World War II.

[citation needed] The southern end of the site near the River Gryfe was connected to what was then the LMS former Caledonian Railway line.

Within ROF Bishopton's perimeter fence this line was still there in the 1990s, albeit with 20- to 30-year-old trees growing between the sleepers and rails.

[citation needed] There was about 20 miles (32 km) of standard gauge railway line within the perimeter fence.

In addition, ROF Bishopton had some 80 miles (130 km) of 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) narrow gauge railway lines for transporting explosives around the site.

There was a large fleet of rolling stock and a specialist workshop for maintenance of the locomotives, which were kept in excellent mechanical condition.

Two streets were built to provide housing for married police officers - Holmpark and Rossland Crescent.

A hostel for single women workers was built in Oakshaw Street, Paisley, by the Ministry of Labour.

Prior to its closure the site was producing gun and rocket propellant for use in numerous weapons systems.

It was announced in 1998 that the site would close after the loss of a major government contract for the supply of 155mm ammunition to the South African defence contractor, Denel.

The former MOD Police houses at both Holmpark and Rossland Crescent were retained by the Ministry of Defence and were sold off in the mid-1980s to private buyers.