One of the National Trust for Scotland’s most unusual properties will take centre stage at a new exhibition to celebrate 500 years of the printed word in Scotland, starting tomorrow (Friday 1 August).
One of the National Trust for Scotland’s most unusual properties will take centre stage at a new exhibition to celebrate 500 years of the printed word in Scotland, starting tomorrow (Friday 1 August).
The conservation charity cares for Robert Smail’s Printing Works in Innerleithen - Scotland’s only remaining fully-functioning Victorian letterpress printworks which is the focus of Lasting Impressions: The National Trust for Scotland and the Printed Word.
The printworks is one of the Trust’s smallest properties and was purchased by the charity from Cowan Smail in 1986, after 120 years of trading. The works continues to produce commissioned print work on the original presses, as well as hosting tours and giving visitors the chance to get hands on experience of the printing process.
The exhibition is part of the 500 years of printing in Scotland celebrations and runs at the National Trust for Scotland’s gallery at 28 Charlotte Square in Edinburgh from 1 August until the end of October.
It includes fascinating records, photographs and work samples from Smail’s past, telling the story of the Smail family and their business.
Experts from Innerleithen will also be on hand to provide printing demonstrations during August and September, so there is plenty of opportunity for visitors to mind their ‘p’s and ‘q’s.
Smail’s Property Manager Gen Harrison said:
“We are very lucky at the Trust to have an industrial treasure like Smail’s. There are very few surviving examples of a general jobbing printers, and as far as we know, none open in their original location, as is the case at Innerleithen. Smail’s is a great example of the diversity of the Trust - so often people think the Trust is just about castles, but we have so much more to offer.
“The history and technology of Smail’s is absolutely fascinating and our staff and volunteers are really looking forward to bringing the story of print to a wider audience, getting involved in marking Scotland’s 500 years of printing. For such a small property, we are proud to be playing such a big part in this important anniversary and still to be setting type the original Chepman and Myllar way.”
A printing office will take over one of the rooms at 28 Charlotte Square - a small Adana printing press will be installed so that visitors can try typesetting by hand and produce a personalised bookplate.
A handful of treasures from the Trust’s book collections will also be on show at the exhibition. A first edition of J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan will take pride of place. The Trust owns and cares for the house in Kirriemuir, Angus where the author was born and is thought to have gained much of the inspiration for his classic children’s tale.
The free exhibition will run from 1 August until 31 October at 28 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh. The gallery is open Monday to Saturday, from 11am – 4pm.
A short film inspired by Smail’s and printing in Scotland will also be on show. Created by Kenny Munro and Edward O’Donnelly, Words fly from this place reflects on changes in technology, and on the huge impact of printing, communication and learning.
Experts in printing, books and libraries will also host a series of lectures throughout the exhibition.
Wednesday, 20 August at 12.30pm - Making a Good Impression - Gen Harrison, Property Manager/Compositor, Robert Smail’s Printing Works.
Wednesday, 10 September at 12.30pm - Meet the Archivists - Ian Riches, Archivist, the National Trust for Scotland and David Rudram, Honorary Archivist, Robert Smail’s Printing Works.
Wednesday 24 September at 12.30pm - Caring for Print Collections - Helen Creasy ACR (paper conservator).
Wednesday, 8 October at 12.30pm - The Architecture of the Trust’s Libraries - Ian Gow, Chief Curator, the National Trust for Scotland.
Wednesday, 15 October at 12.30pm - Revealing Hidden Treasure: the work of a Volunteer Librarian – Tom Hall, Volunteer Librarian, Haddo House.
Wednesday, 22 October at 12.30pm - A Printer’s Journey – Tim Honnor, Piccolo Press.
More information on the exhibition and its programme of demonstrations and talks are available at
www.nts.org.uk.