New Lanark
South Lanarkshire Scotland ML11 9DB
New Lanark is deservedly on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, a model mill town in its heyday and these days a time capsule that was founded back in 1786 by David Dale and Richard Arkwright as a cotton mill, built around the free abundant power of the River Clyde. It was Dale’s son-in-law, Welsh philanthropist Robert Owen, though, who made New Lanark so special, insisting that the mill built decent housing for the workers, as well as schools and other elements of social care that were non-existent in other mill communities at the time. The mill finally closed in 1968 and now the site stands as one of the Industrial Revolution’s rare examples of a utopian urban vision. There is easily enough to keep you occupied for a whole day, checking out the different museum exhibits that tell the story of the people that worked there and viewing the gloriously preserved machinery like the old water mills. All of the original buildings have been beautifully preserved, and there is tight control over development (even TV aerials are banned) amongst the twenty or so people who still live in the heritage village. After delving into the history you can also head off for a walk along the Clyde up to a trio of spectacular waterfalls. A range of eating and drinking options await back at New Lanark, as well as a hotel if you want to make a night of it.
