New Lanark
New Lanark is a preserved historical UNESCO World Heritage Site in south Lanarkshire.
Hugging the banks of the River Clyde, the village of New Lanark grew up around the mills built by Richard Arkwright and David Dale between 1788 and 1826. Dale's son-in-law Robert Owen made the village world-famous with his innovative ideas on social reform. Believing in a more humane capitalism, he built the first co-operative store, a house for the pauper children who worked there and an institute for the formation of character where the workers were encouraged to improve themselves through education.
In 1968 the last mill closed bringing to an end 200 years of cotton manufacture. However in 1974, a restoration programme began and New Lanark has become a thriving community again as a World Heritage Site tourist attraction. As well as the various visitor attractions, the village also has its own four-star hotel, youth hostel and self-catering cottages in converted 'waterhouses'. An excellent choice of walks is available from the village, especially to the Falls of Clyde wildlife reserve.
