Pampering at Mill
Claire Mckim weaves plenty of relaxation into a break to the New Lanark Mill Hotel
It’s unseasonably warm in the west of Scotland and my friend and I are looking out over the peaceful River Clyde. It only took us an hour to drive here from Edinburgh, but I feel like I have stepped 200 years back in time in New Lanark – a gargantuan old mill and workers’ village.
Nestled in the south Lanarkshire valley, the Mill Hotel is right in the heart of the world heritage site, a restored 18th century cottonspinning village, close to the Falls of Clyde and offering us some tranquillity, away from our city lives.
We arrive early evening and after checking in, opt to dine at the hotel’s restaurant. Mill One doesn’t need bombast; it’s good old fashioned Scottish grub, not complicated, but filling and tasty.
Under the watchful eye of head chef Robynne Greenshields, the hotel serves fresh and local seasonal produce and I choose the traditional prawn cocktail followed by beerbattered haddock. Both courses were spot on and my friend is equally impressed by her choice of chicken liver parfait and braised shoulder of lamb.
Even though the American-sized super portions leave little room for pudding, we can’t miss the chance to sample the award winning New Lanark ice cream, which is made in the village, and as well as being perfectly creamy, proceeds help fund the regeneration of the area meaning, by my logic, all the calories are guilt free – win win.
Our twin bedroom – one of 38 newly-renovated rooms at the hotel – is spacious and stylish and we enjoy views over the River Clyde. The free wi-fi is handy. The hotel also has selfcatering cottages, which might be a good option if you are travelling as a family.
We spend most of our second day exploring New Lanark itself, one of Scotland’s six UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
After years of painstaking restoration work by New Lanark Trust, the hotel opened for business in 1998, and is celebrating its 20th anniversary. It has also just been awarded a well-deserved 4 Star status by Visit Scotland.
The visitor centre tells the story of social pioneer Robert Owen, who provided fair wages and free healthcare for villagers, as well as education for the children.
There can’t be many Edinburgh school children whose education didn’t include a day trip to New Lanark, so giddy with nostalgia we
board the Annie Mcleod experience – a ride which features mill girl Annie who tells the story of her life and times in New Lanark in 1820.
OK, so it wasn’t quite the theme park ride I’d remembered and the 90s fashion makes me think it hasn’t had much of a facelift in 25 years, but it is educational, and I imagine still quite a thrill for the under 10s.
The museum itself is well worth a visit, with recreated millworkers’ houses and historic working machinery. There is also a Mill Shop selling locally made textiles.
Textile production and innovation have been the continuous thread throughout New Lanark’s history, from the village’s early years as the one-time largest cotton manufacturer in Scotland, to now producing over 60 shades of woollen yarn. They also launched the world’s first Organic Tartan in 2015.
Outside the village, there are lots of lovely picnic spots along the river and handily the Mill Cafe sells drinks, snacks and hot meals to takeaway. We take a stroll along the bank to watch the rush of water at the Falls of Clyde.
Back indoors and we take the opportunity to be pampered in the hotel’s impressive spa which as well as treatment rooms, boasts a heated pool, steam room, sauna and bubble pool – offering us a place to further unwind. Next we head to the hotel’s cosy bar which offers up the usual selection of wines and spirits, along with an impressive cocktail list.
On our last morning I enjoy a breakfast of smoked salmon and scrambled eggs before taking a final walk along the peaceful Clyde.
A quick browse of Tripadvisor when I’m back home and almost every review has one thing in common – a shout out for the friendly staff. “Attentive, “helpful,” “brilliant” and “excellent customer service” are just four of the comments – and I couldn’t agree more, the staff have been attentive at every turn.
General manager John Stirrat seems pleased when we feed back to him how delightful the staff have been – telling us that’s something they are particularly proud of. ■
We take a stroll along the bank to watch the rush of water at the Falls of Clyde
Rooms at New Lanark Mill Hotel cost from £79 based on two people sharing a standard double/twin room including breakfast. Special offers are available from £49pp based on dinner, bed and breakfast, tel: 01555 667 200, www.newlanarkhotel.co.uk