New Lanark

A trip to New Lanark today,  to see the Scottish Diaspora Tapestry which is on display at the moment. 

It's quite an achievement - 305 panels, designed by Andrew Crummy and embroidered by individuals and groups from all over Scotland - it illustrates many different aspects of Scots' emigration to most parts of the globe. 

It would take a long time to study them with the attention they deserve: there are many fascinating stories to be followed up.

The story of New Lanark is also very interesting. It's a model community, founded in the 18th Century by Robert Owen, a textile mill owner.  He believed that employers had a duty to provide decent conditions for workers. The housing he built is still occupied today, and the mills are still spinning, though on a much smaller scale. The redundant buildings have found various new uses - a hotel, a gym, exhibition spaces, a cafe, and of course a shop. They sell the wool they spin, and I bought some - it seemed the right thing to do.

The main shot is the old dye house on the River Clyde. There's one of the panels, of a particularly colourful character. Finally a quote from Robert Owen, which resonates today.