Things to see and do Lanark

Classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001, the village of New Lanark was founded in 1786 by David Dale, who established a cotton mill and housing there. By 1799, the site had already become Scotland's largest cotton producer and one of the largest industrial groups in the world, with 2000 employees. He relied on the river Clyde to provide his energy. In 1800, Robert Owen, Dale's stepson, became its manager. This Welsh philanthropist was greatly influenced by the reformist movements and was one of the great defenders of Utopian Socialism, of which Owenism is a current. He established a very advanced social model in New Lanark to help the 2,500 people who lived there. He took special care of the children, for whom he opened the first nursery school in Britain in 1817. The great economic success of New Lanark helped to make it a model throughout Europe, so many thinkers and decision-makers went there to see that another reality was possible. In 1825, the Walker family took control of production. Starting in 1881, several businesses followed one another until the plant closed down in 1968, as it was no longer profitable. Today, admission gives access to the visitor centre, which traces the epic history of the village, Owen's house, the workers' houses in the 1820s and 1930s, the school and the workshops. There is also a period shop and a café.

Built at the beginning of the 16th century, this castle was well ahead of its time. Its creator and owner, Sir James Hamilton of Finnart, had spent his early years abroad to perfect his knowledge of architecture and fortification. When his father died in 1529, he returned to Scotland to become one of the most powerful lords of the south and a friend of King James V. He fell into disgrace and was executed in 1540 and his descendants occupied Craignethan Castle until 1579. The building was immortalized by Sir Walter Scott in The Puritans of Scotland (1816).

For history lovers, the town of Lanark has created a history trail in the footsteps of the Scottish hero. You will walk in his footsteps and discover the church of St. Kentigerns: this is where William Wallace first saw Marion Cornelia Braidfute. You will then visit the church of St Nicholas, which holds the oldest bell in Europe, then the house where the couple lived (at the top of Castlegate), the remains of Lanark Castle, and the cave where he would have taken refuge.

This visitor centre provides valuable information about the valley's nature reserve and its history. Several species such as badgers, bats and hawks live here and can be observed depending on the season and time of day. His stunts inspired painters Turner and Wordsworth in their art. Dundaff Linn, Corra Linn and Bonnington Linn are some of the places that are accessible. It is reached via several footpaths that criss-cross the area.