Printworks plays its part in Industrious Innerleithen event

Robert Smail’s Printworks continues its celebration of 500 Years of Printing in Scotland on a special day to mark Innerleithen’s industrial heritage. The National Trust for Scotland property is holding Victorian themed and print related events on Saturday 26 April.

The events are part of the Industrious Innerleithen event which celebrates the town’s past. It is run in partnership with the Scottish Borders Council, Innerleithen Community Trust and Fortissimo.

Visitors to Smail’s will step back to the Victorian era with the Trust’s popular Living History tour. Staff will be in costume and character, allowing visitors n insight into the trade of printing, the talents required and technology employed in the 19th Century. Tours run from 12 noon – 5pm and admission costs £14 per family.

Property Manager Gen Harrison said:

“Innerleithen has such an interesting past and Robert Smail’s was an important part of that. That’s why we felt it was important to get involved in this special day. Our Living History tours really bring the past to life to visitors. They’re very popular both with visitors and the staff who enjoy getting dressed up and going back in time!”

The full programme for Industrious Innerleithen is:

10am until Noon

Innerleithen Library - Pupils from St. Ronan’s Primary P7 will see the culmination of their enterprise project with Robert Smail’s Printing Works. The Inky Prints invite you to Print What You Want, a chance to try a range of printing activities whilst their colleagues will be selling their wide range of products designed to celebrate the 500 Years of Printing in Scotland and promote Robert Smail’s Printing Works, Innerleithen’s own industrial treasure.

The Library is generously hosting the event as part of its celebrating Local History Week and will host Victorian Rhymetime celebrating nursery rhymes and tunes from the Victorian Era for children below 5. Mary Kenny will lead two story-telling sessions for children aged 6 and upwards, so there is truly something for all the family.

Noon until 5pm
We beg to inform you…
Robert Smail’s Printing Works, Innerleithen is staging Victorian living history tours. Visitors to this unique National Trust for Scotland property can step back in time to meet employees of R. Smail & Sons from 1896. Customers to R. Smail’s would never go beyond placing their orders in the office, but by applying to take up an apprenticeship here, visitors will be able to view ‘the works’ as it would have been.

2pm until 5pm
St. Ronan’s Wells
Come and try the waters at Innerleithen’s own Victorian Health Spa. Named for Sir Walter Scott’s 1823 novel, the burgeoning town of Innerleithen became famous for its waters s as well as its woollen trade. The pavilion and gardens are open for visitors and contains a collection on the town’s history, focussing on the local games week.

2.30pm
Innerleithen Community Trust will lead a walk as part of the Industrious Innerleithen
The industrial past of Innerleithen owes everything to the character and ingenuity of its people and to the Leithen water around which the community has grown. The potential of the water to power industry led to inventive engineering to allow the wheels of industry to turn as the working life of Innerleithen grew over time. Power was drawn from a constructed mill lade that weaves its way through the heart of the town. Learn more about the role of water in Innerleithen’s industry on this walk.
It begins at the Memorial Hall Car Park at 2.30pm.

Fortissimo and Friends
Victorian Concert, Innerleithen Church Hall, 7pm
Initially intended to be gentle, singing experience for ‘more mature voices’ – Fortissimo is an amazing, energetic group of bright, enthusiastic songsters with an age-range of 40+ to 90. Industrious Innerleithen is proud to have this wonderful group end the day with a specially prepared Victorian Concert for the evening entertainment, a fantastic end to a hopefully enjoyable and educational day!