Englishman and a Glaswegian

As the River Clyde leaves the Southern Uplands, it turns east for a time below Tinto Hill and then makes a u-turn heading toward Lanark under Hyndford Bridge. The river then throws itself through a steep-sided gorge for about a mile and a half.

Using the power of the Clyde an “Englishman helped a Glaswegian lay the foundation for an industrial bonanza which awaited the development of Lanarkshire’s most beautiful and spectacular location.” Seeing the huge potential of the rushing water, Robert Arkwright together with Glasgow banker David Dale purchased the land along the Clyde. Here, they build the largest cotton mills in Britain and began the “greatest single industrial adventure Scotland had ever witnessed.”

Within two years Arkwright had departed and David Dale was left alone to finish the project He erected the cotton mills, built dye-works and workshops. In addition, he built a school, shops and accommodations, so that a real community could develop. Many of the “shattered Highlanders, victims of the Clearances” made their way to New Lanark seeking employment. But, the work was best suited for the young. Dale needed “quick, supple and nimble fingers” to do his work. “Many orphans found desperation converted to hope and future security solely as a consequence of their inclusion in their eighteenth century Clydeside revolution.”

David Dale was treated as a hero and was very popular with his employees. Unlike many factories across Britain this was not a sweat-shop. Workers were paid fairly for their labor. David Dale was a kind man. “He strove not only to manufacture a quality end-product but also to bond his twelve hundred strong community and create a kindred spirit among them. Undoubtedly, he succeeded in doing just that.”

In 1800, Dale sold the mills to his son-in-law, Robert Owen. Now the mills were improved along with working conditions. “Knowledge of the transformation by Dale and Owen had now spread worldwide and in 1826, Robert Owen emigrated to America to pioneer a similar venture.” Robert Owen would buy an entire village and call it New Harmony, Indiana. In the mid-twentieth century, the cotton industry was in steep decline as artificial textiles became popular. In 1967, no buyer could be found for the derelict buildings. New Lanark died.

Conservationists began to work at saving and restoring the buildings. “Now it is once again a thriving community, where heritage and private accommodation happily co-habit, and to which thousands travel each year to enjoy and wonder at the re-instatement of one of Scotland’s greatest-ever industrial and social miracles.”