New Lanark World Heritage Site , Lanark

Beautifully restored 18th century cotton mill village in Southern Scotland, close to the Falls of Clyde and less than an hour from Edinburgh and Glasgow.

The fascinating history of the village is brought back to life in an award-winning Visitor Centre, where you can explore all the attractions with a passport ticket. Highlights of any visit will include the magical New Millennium Experience ride and an audio-visual theatre show called 'Annie McLeod's Story', where the ghost of a mill-girl appears on stage.

The village first rose to fame when Robert Owen was mill manager from 1800-1825. Owen transformed life in New Lanark with ideas and opportunities which were at least a hundred years ahead of their time. Child labour and corporal punishment were abolished, and villagers were provided with decent homes, schools and evening classes, free health care, and affordable food.

New Lanark is still a living community, and the village is in the care of an independent charity. Profits from the hotel and visitor attraction help the Conservation Trust continue to restore and maintain the historic village.