New Lanark and Falls of Clyde

As you drive into the village, you will see the church and graveyard on your left. Some of the gravestones record the Highland origins of early workers. Opposite the church on your right are two modest houses. One was occupied by David Dale when he visited the mills and the other was the residence of Robert Owen.

In 1798, Owen, who had already achieved success in the cotton industry in Lancashire, came to New Lanark to manage the mills. Here, over the next 20 years, he made his international reputation as a social reformer. As well as an efficient factory manager, he was genuinely concerned for the well being of his workforce. The most famous of the buildings at New Lanark, including the institute, school and store, were built under Owen's management as part of a plan to create a better working and living environment in which people's characters could be improved.

In the heart of New Lanark, down to the right are the mills themselves. The oldest, number one, dates from 1788 and sits astride the lade (millstream), bringing water from the River Clyde. It was originally a five storey building but was cut down to three storeys in 1945. Most impressive of all the old buildings is number three mill, built in 1826, which preserves a magnificent Georgian facade.

Further on are two buildings which symbolised Owen's enlightening ideas. First comes the Institute for the Formation of Character, dating from 1816, a social and educational centre for the workers, and second the School (1817) where children were educated up to the age of ten. Another building of note, the Store, dating from 1810, was run by Owen as a co-operative. Goods were bought cheaply in bulk, sold to the workers at a little over cost and profits reinvested in new facilities for the community.

Flowing past New Lanark, the River Clyde goes through a dramatic change. In its middle course, it meanders through a wide valley. Then, near Lanark, it suddenly plunges into a deep gorge, over two miles long, tumbling over a series of waterfalls and rapids.

During the late 18th century, the rise of the Romantic Movement in literature brought an increasing number of visitors and artists to the Clyde gorge. Tuner was one of many artists who painted the scene, while Wordsworth, Coleridge and Sir Walter Scott recorded their impressions in prose and verse.

There are three main sets of falls within the gorge. Dundaff Falls, whose head of water powered the mills, is the lowest. Next comes thew more impressive Corra Linn with two cascades of 60 and 30 feet (18 and 9 metres) into a rocky basin surrounded by sandstone cliffs. Finally, there is the falls of Bonnington Linn at the entrance to the gorge, another 30 foot drop. Today, little water tumbles over the falls on most days, for the bulk of the river is channelled off to drive the turbines of Scotland's first hydro-electric power station which was built in 1927. However, on certain days of the year, advertised in advance, the pipeline to the power station is shut off for maintenance and the full flow of water tumbles with magnificent force over the falls.

The path from New Lanark up the eastern side of the gorge is a nature trail laid out by the Scottish Wildlife Trust. The trust had an exhibition centre in New Lanark. A large range of woodland and waterside birds can be seen in the gorge as well as foxes and badgers, while there is a rich variety of flowering plants and ferns beside the river.

Along the route, there is a pavilion, built in 1708 by the Laird of Bonnington and commanding the best view of the falls. Between the falls of Bonnnington Linn, on a small island, there is also a 17th century dovecote converted into a summer house. On the opposite side of the gorge above Corra Linn are the ruins of the Corehouse, a 15th century tower house, and nearby lie the ruins of Corra Castle.