Dye Works

Built in 1806 under Robert Owen’s ownership, the dye works were originally a brass and iron foundry with their own waterwheel situated on the river itself.

These buildings are some of the earliest groups of surviving engineering and foundry buildings in Scotland.

The original building works supplied machinery, millwright work and structural castings not only to New Lanark which meant the building could be self-sufficient, but it also supplied machinery to other mills such as the new water wheel for Stanley Mills in 1811.

The foundry was changed into a dyeworks in 1880s by Henry Birkmyre who owned the mills at this time. This meant the mill could diversify its porducts and started to produce woven cotton alongside cotton spinning.

The dyeworks also operated an unofficial bath for the people of the village. The vats would be filled with heated water for use by the villagers.

The building is an important visual element in the village, being physically linked to the Mechanics' Institute and situated prominently on the edge of the river.