Thank you everyone for all the good wishes regarding my move to the UK ! I’ve settled down, and everything is great (so far :p)! Just after the move, we went to Scotland for a little road trip, but I’m back now, the head full of good memories and it’s going to be a pleasure to share them with you during the next following weeks 🙂
Falls of Clyde and New Lanark, UNESCO World Heritage Site
The first stop of our Scottish journey was in New Lanark, a restored 18th century cotton mill village located in South Lanarkshire. The village is located on the banks of the River Clyde, close to the Falls of Clyde and has been a UNESCO world Heritage site since 2001.
In the beginning of the 18th century, New Lanark was he biggest cotton mill in Scotland and formed one of the largest industrial groups in the world. Thousands of people were working in the village. The mill owner, Robert Owen, was an idealist and a humanist. He was concerned about the well being of his workers and he believed in an industrial model where the creation of wealth was not synonym of exploitation of people. He provided schools for children, education and spacious houses of his workers.
I was amazed to see how well preserved the village was. Apparently, it has been restored as faithfully as possible, and the result is breathtaking ! The weather was not very good when we first arrived, but it finally cleared up a few hours later and we could enjoy the beautiful buildings under a bright sun !
It is possible to visit different part of the site but not all buildings are open to the public as is it a living and working village. We visited the Mill #3, Robert Owen’s House, the mill worker’s house and the village store. In the Mill #3, you can enjoy the Annie McLeod Experience Ride. We took a seat and enjoy a dark ride where the ghost of mill worker Annie McLeod told us her story 🙂 It was a very strange and new experience for us !
Today, the mill is still producing wool and it’s possible to buy it… and guess what ?! Their wool was used to create the xmas jumpers features in the Harry Potter films 😀 This is so cool ! All the money they made from the sales of textiles are reinvested in the care of this World Heritage Site.
Around the village, the scenery is also beautiful. In the Falls of Clyde Wildlife reserve, you can see the wonderful waterfall but also some woodland and a lot of flora and fauna. We really enjoyed this walk !
Sooo pretty!! I need visit Scotland. My sister visited 2 years ago and loved it!
I’ve been there twice already,t he first time was very brief, it was for a short city trip in Edinburgh, but this time, we enjoyed a bit more than 2 weeks and it was awesome. I wish I could have stayed longer 🙂
We’ll be back for sure ! sometimes, the weather can be very bad, so you need a bit of luck when you visit Scotland. Apparently, they say that May and September are often good.
Ohhh yes, I heard about this crazy weather in Scotland! May and September sounds good, thank you for this tip… I will keep it in mind!
And now that you are near Scotland, I’m sure you will be visiting again 😀
You won’t regret it ! The English side is quite pretty as well :p
😀
I have some news.. I might be going to London in November. Nothing is confirmed yet, but I will let you know! Maybe we can meet 😀
That would be awesome ! Please, let me know 🙂 🙂
I will 😀 <3
I am so happy to hear you are fine in England. Also looks like your trip to Scotland was a great one.:) I have never heard about this place, but it looks like a very interessting and beautiful one! Love your pictures as always 🙂
The UK has many UNESCO World heritage site, it makes me want to see them all 😀
I’m so happy to hear you’re doing well! And I’m doubly happy to see you went to Scotland! Your photos and adventures are gorgeous as usual!
(The Annie McLeod pic is sooo funny!)
Can’t wait to hear and see more about this trip! Xoxoxo
Yep, we had fun taking these pictures 😀 Scotland us stunning. We’ve checked out Rosslyn chapel this morning (da Vinci code) and it was incredible !
Ooh!! Fun!!! I remember the Rosslyn chapel from the book! How exciting! Make sure you guys don’t get into any trouble there! Lol! 😉
Haha !
Thanks for sharing and I am so glad you are settling well in your new home 🙂
Thank you 🙂
glad to hear you’ve settled and enjoying as well. thank you so much for sharing your Scottish journey! you took beautiful photographs 🙂
Thank you ! Stay tuned, more to come soon 🙂 have a nice week !
So glad you’re settled and traveling again. Looking forward to seeing the rain through your eyes again.
Haha, well, you won’t be disappointed, it has rained a lot :/
I miss this place when visiting Scotland, maybe I should return to Scotland 😀 – great review!! Good to hear that your moving went well 🙂
There are so many unesco site in the UK, I was really surprised ! I visited another one today: fountain’s abbey
Gorgeous! One day we’ll get to Scotland. It’s torture. I like to check on airfare and vacation packages every once in a while so I know what prices to look for when we are ready. Stupid. We made a pact to not take any big trips since Iceland/Paris killed our budget. I said to Vic we can stay at the Marriott in St Thomas for 6 nights for $1800 for both of us together not each – he had to remind me that we are saving for next year. I tend to get side tracked by traveling. The stopover to Iceland prices are killing me too! Need to ban myself from the internet. I have a friend that wants to go to Africa next year. That’s going to be expensive. We decided we’ll save for it. If the trip happens – it happens. If not grizzlies near Vancouver or something nature related. Even our cheap trips don’t end up cheap because of the way we eat and we come back with bushels of sweets. Thankfully, we live in a walking city helps us keep in some kind of shape.
I like looking at airfares as well to find the cheapest period ! Iceland is quite expensive, I can imagine how it can ruin a budget.
But you are living in a nice place where there is much to do and a lot to explore for free 🙂
Oh, it’s so nice to read something from you and your lovely trip to Scotland. The buildings looks really impressive to me. And it’s a joy to read that the Mill Owner was such a kind person! The waterfall is a little bit icelandic, I guess. Reminds a little bit of Hraunfossar. 😉
Have a lovely start to the week!
This person was very inspirational. His business partners didn’t like his way of conducting business I’m sure 😉
Oh yes, you are right, now that you have mentioned it I can see the similarities 🙂
it looks very green with all the trees.
The English countryside is very green 🙂 but Scotland is even greener
I’m so behind on my blog reading and commenting, but I’m glad your move has gone well so far! I loved Scotland; I enjoyed this post and look forward to more!
I’m in the same boat… I’m enjoying summer so much that I don’t have to spend in front of the computer :p won’t blame you for that !
Glad to see you’re settling in! And this looks like a cool and beautiful place!
It was quite interesting ! There are so many interesting places around, I’m getting crazy, I don’t know where to go first !!! haaa
That sounds like a great problem to have!
I’m very happy to see you went to such a gorgeous place! I can see why you wanted to stay longer. It’s always hard to say goodbye to such locations. I hope you’ll visit soon. Welcome back, by the way! I missed your posts <3 x
Scotland is really gorgeous. There is a mix of history and nature, and it’s simply beautiful.
I love that opening shot ~ serene, but understanding its past it was anything but being the largest cotton mill in Scotland. Coming from the textile side of business, I have a soft spot for the old, historical mills and the way the industry worked back then…very cool to read and see/experience this place through your photos and words.
Yes, back in time, I don’t think it was that serene. But they managed to make something nice out of it. Everything is very clean, peaceful and well restored.
I am in absolute awe of how beautiful this place is. Beautiful, beautiful pictures. I want to go there right now!
It’s not that big when you think about it, but at least you can visit everything in a few hours 🙂 And it’s really interesting ! 🙂 Are you interested by UNESCO site in general ? I know a lot of people are kind of crazy about these places, but I haven’t visited that many to be honest…
I just love history! I’m pretty sure the only UNESCO site I’ve been to is Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland. I go to places like this because I’m a history nerd. I love old architecture and learning about the past. 🙂
I love them too for the same reason 🙂
Dear Gin
I miss you travel posts and beautiful photos.
Haha😊
Oh I’ve missed you as well !! I’m trying to catch up on the posts I’ve missed, but there are so many of them !!! I hope you are doing well 🙂
I’m glad the sun appeared for you Gin ! So important to keep industrial and social history like this accessible and meaningful for everyone .
Lovely collection of photos … looking forward to some more of the Highlands and Islands . I may get there someday 🙂
It was very accessible, and we learnt a lot from the exhibit. It was nice to hear how things were at that time. Very instructive.
It will come soon 🙂 But first, around Loch Lomond and the Trossachs 🙂
Glad your move went well! What a beautiful restoration of this picturesque mill. I’ve heard of the social reformer Robert Owen so it’s fascinating to see your photos and read about your interesting visit to New Lanark. Love your photographs. Wishing you a happy week ahead! :))
Yes, this guy was quite strange and interesting for its time 🙂 It was very nice to hear about his ideas and how he tried to change things. I’m not surprised it has become a UNESCO site !
Thank you ! I also wish you a nice week ! 🙂
Love you photos from the New Lanark cotton mill. Looks like a beautiful site and the location long the river is just perfect. And I like the fact that it is still an active mill, I think it adds to the charm:)
Yes, it’s a UNESCO site and it’s still active, I think it’s awesome ! They found a way to preserve it and maintain it by generating some money from the houses renting, the museum and the wool selling.
Thanks Inger, I hope you are enjoying your summer 🙂
I’m glad you settled in well and enjoying it – even fitting in a little road trip! I love Scotland, but haven’t had the pleasure of visiting Clyde or New Lanark. I never realised it was a UNESCO site. It’s stunning 🙂
Scotland is so vast, difficult to visit everything ! For us, it was the perfect stop to break the car journey from Leeds 🙂
I’m quite enjoying my life here, it has been great so far ! A bit too hot for my liking, but it’s the same problem everywhere 😉
Don’t worry, it won’t last long 🙂
haha ! Yeah.. Soon enough I will have to use my waterproof :p
Great to know that you have settled in nicely in Leeds. Your photos of Scotland are beautiful. I have always wanted to go there. Such breathtaking scenery and I find Scottish music quite pleasant to the ears!
I hope you will make it to Europe one day, and if you ever get to the UK and close to Leeds, we could meet ! that would even be nicer 😉
Interesting read, I’m still planning my itinerary to Scotland so will look forward to your stories soon…:)
Oh yes !!! I almost forgot that you were going there !! Oh well, there will be plenty of stories, I still have to write them though (and sort out the massive amount of pictures I took haha !)
Hahaha…no worries, take your time…😎😁
Robert Owen was a true pioneer.
What an interesting visit.
Yes, he was definitively an interesting man ! It was really nice to be able to read about all his achievements.
Ah the memories! I grew up in Glasgow so that’s my neck of the woods. Been there often 🙂
Yeah, it’s really not far away from Glasgow ! It’s a bit further away from Leeds, but it was a nice stop-over on our way to Callander 🙂
Among the stories of that industrial period I think this is the brightest one I’ve ever read… Robert Owen, I’ll not forget the name, besides makes me remember to the architect Owen Jones who designed the Crystal Palace in 19th century… Happy for your return to the writing, take care 🙂
Usually, the industrial period is full of sadness (both ecological and social). I agree with you, it’s also one of the brightest I’ve ever heard ! It’s good to be aware of some people that tried to do well and respect others human being.
Yesss, I’m back ! :p
First time I heard about this place. It is lovely. I would love to visit.
It’s quite informative ! when we visited, it was rather quiet. . not a lot of visitors. Maybe it can get really crowded during weekends.
We visited when it was totally derelict not long after the last tenants moved out. Last time we visited it was transformed but not complete, glad you enjoyed it! 😊
It’s an interesting part of our history, and I quite like the exhibit and the dark ride, it was very enjoyable. The nature reserve next to it is also lovely.
Glad you have settled well, and doing some traveling. What a lovely town! So nice to see that people preserve their heritage.
I think it’s important, and they are doing it right. They preserve it without altering it too much 🙂
I wish people preserve and reuse more things.
I agree with you, it would make more sense..
Heard of New Lanark but never been before, now I definitely want to. Sounds like there is a lot to see, that experience ride also really appeals to me!
There are a lot of places to visit inside the complex, you can easily spent half a day over there ! There are also some badger spotting if you are interested. You just have to sign up for a walk 🙂
Never been badger spotting but that would definitely be interesting – thanks for the tip!! This place is zooming onto the “list”.
Oh, and I forgot, the little cafe is quite good as well. Good latte ! And it is very cheap.
It is sounding even better by the minute!! A good latte means a lot to me!!
😀
What an interesting site, that’s so great that it’s still a functioning village (and that they made the Harry Potter wool!). Glad to hear you are settling in!
People are living in renovated flats and houses all around, and apparently, it’s very popular and the waiting list is about 2 years to get a place to live there.
I am ! 🙂
Glad to hear you are settled. Wonderful gallery and history. Not too often one can find a working mill. Wishing you a happy and sunny weekend.
Hi Sue ! I hope you had an amazing time in Ecuador, I can’t wait to check out your posts soon 🙂 Are you back now ?
We are just back and with many photos and stories to be told. I did some posting while away but Wifi access was not the easiest to come by. 🙂
I’ll check your posts soon 🙂 I hope you had a blast!
We had a fabulous adventure and of course wish we could have stayed longer.
It’s always like that when we are enjoying ourselves 🙂 I hope you didn’t get altitude sickness (I did when i was back in Quito from Galapagos and it was truly horrible)
Dave got hit with it in Puno and I had it a bit for a few days. Thankfully the meds kicked in straight away. 🙂
It seems difficult to avoid 🙂
Yes part of the adventure I am afraid. 🙂
Fascinating history. How different life would be if more industrialists had the attitude of Robert Owen.You have many exciting places to explore!
Oh yes, many exciting places indeed ! And the history behind this place was quite fascinating, I agree. Have a nice weekend ! Any plans?
Your photos are always awesome. I love waterfalls and your photo makes this look so inviting.
Have a great day.
M
So inviting despite the rain ? Mission accomplished then 🙂 it was really interesting !
Thanks. Enjoy your weekend 🙂
De très jolies photos. Un beau lieu. Cela faisait bien longtemps que je n’avais pas eu de tes nouvelles. Je m’inquiétais. :-). Très bon week end à toi
Coucou Vivien ! J’ai déménagé en Angleterre aux alentours du 16 juin, et puis.. le temps de s’installer et de faire quelques formalités administratives.. le temps est passé très vite ! En plus, on s’est octroyé quelques jours en Ecosse, histoire de se relaxer après toutes ces démarches 🙂
Mais je suis de retour, avec une boite mail pleine à craquer, mais j’arriverai à rattraper mon retard ! 🙂
Merci, bon weekend à toi aussi ! Ça va, tu ne souffres pas trop de la vague de chaleur ?
Il fait bien chaud c’est vrai, faut arriver à se rafraichir dans l’appart, c’est pas simple.
Bon emménagement en Angleterre alors ! :-)Bon week end à toi aussi et au plaisir de te lire
This is so interesting Gin – amazing that the mill is still operating as so many have closed down now. I’m not surprised it’s a UNESCO World Heritage site. The photos look lovely even if the weather wasn’t so great. Hope you’re settling into your new home well and have a lovely weekend too 🙂
I was surprised to see that the mill was still operating, it was very interesting indeed. The weather got better the next days 😉
Thanks Rosemary, enjoy your weekend as well ! 🙂
New to the area and already exploring, I like your style. 🙂
Must not lose one minute ! :D:D
Beautiful, and congratulations!
Thank you Maria ! I hope everything is good for you and that you are enjoying summer 🙂
Stunning shots. Loving the equipment shots, but then the natural shots also stole my heart.
It was quite difficult to take some pictures at the beginning, because it was raining so much, I was scared to ruin my camera. But then, the weather got a bit better 🙂
So good to hear you enjoyed the trip though it was a bit wet. So cool that they make wool, and used to make it for the Harry Potter jumpers. It must be very soft, made with love and money comes back round for a good cause 😀 Aww, you can even buy it!
Glad to hear the move went well. Enjoy the UK 🙂
Oh you know, it’s Scottish weather after all :p It has rained almost every day, but we also got a bright sunshine, nearly all the time. The weather was very unpredictable and changing. Always bring your waterproof with you even with the sky is super blue 🙂
How are you Mabel ?
Good to hear there is sunshine. Blue sky and sun always make a place look so much more cheerful. Ah, but the weather can be unpredictable. Sounds just like Melbourne – one minute sunny, the next minute, all wet 😀
I’m not too bad. It’s so cold here this winter. But spring is just around the corner <3
Hi there – the place looks magical! Like from a fantasy movie.
I see you moved to Scotland. I lived there for a year in Dundee and enjoyed the castles, old houses with rock roofs and the nature. They have it rich. Edinburg is magical too. What is your itinerary?
– Ruta
Hi Ruta ! Well, I didn’t move to Scotland 🙂 I moved to Leeds (West Yorkshire), but I did a Scotland road trip these last two weeks 🙂
We didn’t get the chance to visit the East Coast of Scotland, we mainly stayed on the West coast. We visited some places around Loch Lomond, Killin, Oban, Mull, Isle Skye, and the Highlands before driving back to Leeds yesterday 🙂
Glad your move is going well!
Yes ! It’s such a relief 🙂
Oh, I love places like that, with history and people who were brave to think big. And the pictures are great, they look like from a calendar 🙂
I think this place is full of important history, it’s a model for socialism. I understand why it is featured on the UNESCO list, it is really one of the base of our society when you think about it 🙂
Thank you for your nice comment ! I hope you are going well !
Gorgeous! I hope you’re settling well into your new home 🙂
I am ! I’m not suffering too much from the heath wave which is good 🙂
Wonderful post. Looks like the river was full.
It has been raining a lot 😉 But the path was not flooded, it could have been worse 🙂