The Duke of Rothesay today hailed New Lanark - the purpose-built, 18 th century mill village in South Lanarkshire – as "a miracle".
His Royal Highness Prince Charles was visiting the village’s Visitor Centre which is one of only six UNESCO World Heritage sites in Scotland.
He was shown the industrial artefacts and giant steam engines which are on display. He also had the opportunity to overlook the spectacular site of New Lanark from the Visitor Centre’s 9,000-sqare-foot rooftop garden – the largest roof garden of its kind in Scotland – as well as meeting with volunteers, workers and donors, and signing the visitors’ book.
The Duke of Rothesay also viewed the mill’s preserved spinning frame, which is still in operation and used to produce textiles for commercial use. First used in the 19 th century, the spinning frame is now powered by renewable hydroelectricity, which is generated on site by a water-powered turbine.
At the end of the visit, after being treated to one of New Lanark’s signatory ice creams, His Royal Highness was presented with a special shawl from the mill's newest wool range – which was launched in June this year to commemorate Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee - as a gift for the Duchess of Rothesay.
He was also presented with a bottle of New Lanark whisky, which is distilled in Aultmore Distillery in Banffshire, and a bottle of New Lanark gin, which is distilled in Selkirk.
James Pow, at New Lanark, said: “We were hugely honoured to welcome The Duke of Rothesay to New Lanark and to have the opportunity to show him around our spectacular village and Visitor Centre.
“His Royal Highness said it was a miracle that the place had been kept alive and that he was totally full of admiration for the outstanding restoration work that had been carried out. He was also totally excited about the turbine project for sustainable hydro electricity, which is at the feasibility stage, and the other sustainability projects being undertaken.
“As the birthplace of David Dale and Robert Owen’s model for industrial communities, the site is steeped in historical significance – it brings us great pride to carry on their legacy to this day, and we are constantly innovating to ensure we are doing so in the most sustainable way possible.”
The purpose-built, 18 th -century cotton spinning mill village of New Lanark welcomes more than 300,000 visitors every year and has a resident village community of 65 households. The New Lanark Visitor Centre offers a range of attractions and a learning and outreach programme, as well as a hotel, hostel, shop and café.
New Lanark was classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site by the World Heritage Convention in 2001, recognised as offering outstanding universal value and deserving of special protection.
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