2012 is the Year of Creative Scotland and Lanarkshire has kicked off the year in style. With conservation displays, photography exhibitions and local art showcases, there has never been a better time to feed artistic imaginations.
A Summerlee Showcase
Scotland's Museum of Scottish Industrial Life
Summerlee Museum of Scottish Industrial Life in Coatbridge plays host to this year’s Creative Residency exhibition.
Original artwork produced by some of North Lanarkshire's most talented and creative young people is currently on display, using traditional painting methods to more interactive tangible materials. Visual art, film-making, digital photography, printed textiles, jewellery and music all feature.
Members of the public are encouraged to come along to the exhibition which runs at Summerlee Museum of Scottish Industrial Life, Coatbridge until Sunday 19th February 2012.
Set in 22 acres, Summerlee was formerly one of Scotland's most important ironworks and the remains of its blast furnaces and other buildings can be seen from the view pod and parapet at the north-east side of the main exhibition hall.
There are attractions for all the family, with Scotland's only electric tramway, a recreated underground mine and miners’ cottages from 1840 to 1960 and a play park for kids of all ages.
Admission is free.
Photography at Chatelherault
Chatelherault was built in 1732 as the hunting lodge and summer house for the Duke of Hamilton.
The stunning entries from South Lanarkshire's 2011 Annual Photography Competition are now on display at this beautiful estate. For anyone with an interest in photography or in views and scenes in South Lanarkshire, this popular exhibition is open during normal Visitor Centre opening hours.
The Visitor Centre is housed in a restored section of the house, where exhibitions on the area's history, wildlife, and also the story of Chatelherault, is on display.
Outside, visitors can ramble through 10 miles of stunning gorge walks along the River Avon and through ancient woodland, some of which is the oldest in the country. The area is home to a wide range of wildlife including roe deer, badgers, otters, kingfishers and more.
Designed by the famous Scottish Architect William Adam, the former hunting lodge is set on an eye-catching hilltop site affording panoramic views of Glasgow and the surrounding hills, providing inspiration for artists and photographers alike.
Conservation at New Lanark
The fascinating history of New Lanark is brought back to life in the award-winning New Lanark Visitor Centre, which offers a passport ticket to explore all the attractions.
The Saving New Lanark Exhibition, open daily 11.00am to 5.00pm, is a collection of images before and after the restoration of New Lanark, documenting the work of the New Lanark Conservation Trust over the last 25 years.
Family tickets available: £24.50 - 34.50 (£24.50 for family of four (2 adults and 2 children), £34.50 for family of 6 (2 adults and 4 children).)
Full price: £8.50
Child price: £6.00 (Children 4 years old and over.)
Senior citizens: £7.00
Students: £7.00
Robert Owen's contribution to New Lanark
New Lanark village first rose to fame when Robert Owen was mill manager from 1800-1825. Owen transformed life in New Lanark with utopian ideas and opportunities which were at least a hundred years ahead of their time.
Child labour and corporal punishment were abolished, and villagers were provided with decent homes, schools and evening classes, free health care, and affordable food. New Lanark brings to life how people lived and worked at this time. Guided tours around the 18th century New Lanark Mill village are available and are perfect for group visits.
Children can find out what schooldays were like in Robert Owen's time with the Historic Classroom and enjoy dressing up as a schoolchild from a bygone age!