Lanark

The old and the New

Lanark, a small town, is a short train ride from Glasgow and   is said to be the home of William Wallace, the hero depicted in BRAVEHEART. There is much history of his life here and he is still a hero in Scotland. This clock tower sits at the very center of the street going through Lanark and has a statue of him carved on the front.

The main street of Lanark taken from in front of the hotel we were so happy to find here. It was only a block from the Bus and Train station. A most enchanting town. I would like to live here.

Flowers are everywhere in Lanark. This was taken ln route to a house where we would meet one of the most wonderful Christian peoples in all the world. I will never forget them and the spiritual meetings at their home.  Unfortunately, we did not get pictures of them. The meeting was so intense no one thought of pictures. Many prayers were answered.  They were the members of a new church and were in much prayer about purchasing a building in the middle of Lanark for their church. We still receive communications from them. Pray for Lanark.

We discovered there are two Lanarks. This is the 'New Lanark' because it is a totally restored village mill town. It was started by a business man in the 1800s who really thought that communal living  was a wonderful thing and that everyone would have a place to live and a job in the mill. The mill has been restored too and some of the machinery still works. You can tour the whole village and it is truly worth it to learn the history. This man eventually came to America and tried to set up the same kind of village but it did not work and he returned to Scotland. His son stayed in America.  Each family had a small place to live, everyone shared in chores, like washing clothes and working in the mill and schooling the children. Some of the inhabitants came from boats that had tried to leave Scotland and were turned around by storms or other problems and they had no where to go and learned of this village. I will try to get a more data accurate version of the whole story and t he name of a book you can read to learn more of this history.

The oldest buildings in the village. The tour includes seeing real people or statues dressed in the era dress and doing some of the chores. The original pots and fireplaces where  they cooked are still there and a small 'community store' is in existence and you may purchase jellies, etc. It was a hard life for these people. There was no electricity and many became ill.  The house in the center is where the businessman and his family lived. They were good people, with good intentions, but not a successful type of living for most of the people.

The mill machinery. This building also contains a store where you may purchase woolen goods made from the yarn from the mill.

The mill is run by water power. It is very fascinating to see and the scenery now if very beautiful. The main building of the complex has been turned into a hotel and is very expensive and elaborate inside.

A picture of some of the people who lived in the village and worked in the mill. Small children too worked in the mill and did chores. On the tour you are given a first hand account of one small girl who lived in the village and the story of how hard her life was. She was only 10. Everyone was expected to attend church and the church building still exists but you are not allowed to enter as it is not a safe building structurally.

A modern day Lanark Lass!