The Falls of the Clyde and New Lanark

I took the train form Glasgow Central

for about an hour from Glasgow to Lanark (costing around £3/ $5. with a return) and then walked 1 1/2 miles enjoying the nice day and beautiful countryside.

New Lanark was founded by David Dale in 1789 using Richard Arkwright’s concept of water powered mills but it’s lasting importance is the creation of Robert Owens, (Dale’s son-in-law) who  was way ahead of his time.

In fact he was ahead of our time.  He was a businessman who had the idea that his employees were people too.  He felt that people who were given, for the time, a sense of fairness would be more productive than most workers who were treated as little more than slaves.  Or maybe a little less. Sure, children worked 10 hours, 6 days a week in the mills but they were also offered schooling and free medical.  The company store was sort of the forbearer of the Co-op in that they could buy goods at far better prices than those who did not work in the mill complex could purchase in towns. The exhibit is basic yet extensive but it is a World Heritage site and worthy of the donation that is used to keep this and the WH sites well maintained.

You begin with a motorized gondola ride showing different aspects of mill life as seen through the eyes and voice of a 12 year old girl.

The Clyde river provided the power the cotton mill needed but since water can be unpredictable and if it doesn’t provide the required power due to reduced water levels an idle mill is money lost so there was a massive back up

But my main focus for this wander was the Falls of the Clyde a series of 4 linns, Scottish for waterfalls, that tumble down the river. With the largest, Corra Linn having a drop of 84’/28m.  It is easy to understand why folks flocked to this magnificent location including Wordsworth, Coleridge and Sir Walter Scott.

Some of the trees on the riverside were mature when the first visitors took the train from Glasgow to witness this beautiful area.

There is one section of natural steps that looked carved with water and thousands of footsteps have burnished the stones clean.

With light traffic on this bright day where the temperature and humidity would leave Glasgow gasping, I felt I had found a private, sparkyly reserve.

Here is a video of one of the lovely waterfalls.

There is the remains of a foot bridge just past the top of the falls that no one should attempt to traverse.

As  there is a bridge that would allow one to cross the Clyde to walk back on the other side by one of the 2 hydropower plants on the river here just a few meters on.

 

Closer to New Lanark is the Bonnington hydro plant and between them they provide power for nearly 20,000 homes.

Judging from a trail map  the path over the bridge appeared to head away from the river and I wanted to go back the same way with different sunlight.

And I was very lucky to have another visitor ask me if I knew the bird perched high in the trees.  Considering that this area is a know breeding area and the silhouette of the bird, I think (hope?) we were watching a breeding pair of peregrine falcons.

It seemed too large for any member of the crow family.

 

Now to pack up a rest for the train to Manchester England.