New Lanark

One of Scotland’s more interesting, but lesser-well-known-outside-the-country, cultural attractions is the World Heritage Site called New Lanark. Founded in the 1780’s by some philanthropic mill-owners, and further developed by one owner’s industrialist son-in-law, it was an early experiment in progressive, socialist-yet-still-capitalistic, reform.

The mill owners believed that workers should be treated fairly, particularly the children. They created a small town, complete with school, church, nursery (the first in the world to be supplied by an employer), a store with reduced prices, and a full-time, on-site doctor. Obviously, by our standards, the ‘progressive’ working conditions were still appalling (deafening machinery, ten hour work days, children workers, and cramped housing), but compared to other mill-working towns around the UK, the employees were very fortunate indeed.

Robert Owen believed children deserved an education and he paid for their schooling until the age of 10, 11, or 12, at which point they started working at the mill, ten hours a day. In spite of what we would think of as horrific child labour, New Lanark became known around the world for its forward-thinking approach to mill-work, an example for factory owners throughout Europe and the Americas. This ‘village’ with its working mill existed until the early 1960’s, and in the late 1970’s it was turned into the most remarkable museum, historical site, and parkland.

Five years ago my sister & I visited New Lanark and were both impressed with and enterained by the set-up. When you first enter the mill, you’re directed to a ‘ride’ – one of those swinging pods like at DisneyWorld, locked in place, and sent along to hear the story of ‘Annie’, an 11 year-old Victorian mill-worker. Of all the things we did on that holiday, that was the one that has stuck the most in our memories (well, except maybe my Dad tripping on the beach at Berwick – we Reids find the weirdest things funny).

So, when my friend CB came for a holiday, I knew we had to go to New Lanark. And Annie didn’t disappoint. As well as hearing the story of Georgian/Victorian mill workers, we saw the machinery, the store, the school, and some of the homes (hovels by today’s standards, but a step up in Victorian times). And the setting is stunning – set in a valley with rivers, trees, walkways, and gardens; it really is beautiful. CB was as impressed with the site as my sister & I had been – well worth the trip.

*When I wrote my sister to tell her where we were going that day, her reply was: “Oooohh, the ride where you get to experience child labour in a thrilling way….Whoo Hoo.” Nailed it.