Scotland or Bust!: New Lanark

Idyllic setting for a model factory town

Yesterday we went to visit New Lanark, the site of Robert Owen's 18th century, utopian cotton mills. Owen was a visionary capitalist of his time because he believed that workers should have decent housing, access to education, affordable food, and paid sick leave. The kind and fair treatment made him a visionary, but he was still profit motivated and toured his mills every day to ensure everyone was working their hardest. When he first purchased these cotton mills from his father-in-law, he had to replace many of the board as they thought his methods were crazy. But obviously he was successful as these mills were working until the 1960s.

The site of New Lanark sits on the Clyde River near two waterfalls, providing the power for the mills and a beautiful setting.

Everything was peaceful and calm, although when the mills were running it probably wasn't so quiet. This site now includes a ride where hologram figures tell the story of the mills from a ten year old factory worker's point of view; working textile machinery; tours of the school, store, millworker's house and Owen's house; and roof garden -- lots to do and see.

artfully displayed machine parts

statue on the roof garden wall

rabbits playing or fighting?

animal exhibit in school

Another attraction in New Lanark are the Scottish Wildlife Trust's trails leading to water falls and falcon nests. These trails had something for everyone -- plant lovers could use the signs to identify flowers and animal lovers could see falcon hatchlings through telescopes set up by volunteers, plus gorgeous views of the river and falls.