Eco-Family Fun at Historic Stanley Mills, Scotland

by Lexa Pennington /
Lexa Pennington's picture
Oct 02, 2009 / 0 comments

DESIGN A BAG OR BUILD YOUR OWN SPINNING MACHINE AT STANLEY MILLS

VISITOR CENTRE TO STAY OPEN THROUGHOUT THE WINTER

Eco-Family Fun at Historic Stanley Mills, Scotland

There are two great days of family fun lined up at Stanley Mills especially for the October school holidays.  At the same time Historic Scotland has announced that its visitor centre at the former cotton mill complex by the Tay is to stay open throughout the winter.

 

On Wednesday 7th there will be a workshop where visitors can create their own design inspired by the mills and then print it on a cotton bag.

The following week on Wednesday 14th there’s the chance to build your own mill machinery.

 

Kaye Finlay, Stanley Mills monument manager, said: “Visitors can show off their artistic skills by coming up with their own unique design and printing it on a cotton bag.  It’s not only fun, but it’s also eco-friendly as families can then use the bag for shopping, and avoid wasting plastic carriers.”

 

“They can come back the following week and enjoy looking at all the old machinery that was used for spinning, weaving and carding and then try to build a machine of their own from bits and pieces we provide.  We tried this for the first time last year and it was a great success, it was quite amazing to see some of the things people built.   We are also absolutely delighted to be able to tell people that this year the visitor centre will be open throughout the winter and spring, so people can pop along and enjoy a great day out any time they like.”

 

Both activities are ideal for families with children and are included in the entry price.  They take place throughout the day from 11am to 3pm.

All children must be accompanied by an adult.

 

● Winter opening times will be 9.30am to 1pm and 2pm to 4.30pm every day except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and 1st and 2nd of January.

● Stanley Mills is 7.4 miles north of Perth, follow the signs to Stanley Mills. Telephone 01738 828268.

● Tickets are £5 for adults, £3.75 concessions and £2.50 for children.

● The visitor centre includes an education area which has been designed to allow schools and educational groups to carry out a wide variety of study projects linked to the Curriculum for Excellence.

● The former water mill complex harnessed the power of the River Tay for cotton spinning. The first mill was built in 1786.

● Historic Scotland has 345 historic properties and sites in its care. These include some of the leading tourism attractions in the country, including Edinburgh, Stirling, and Urquhart Castles, Fort George, Linlithgow Palace, the Border Abbeys, and Skara Brae. For further details visit: www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/places

● Historic Scotland’s Mission is to safeguard Scotland’s historic environment and to promote its understanding and enjoyment.

 

● Historic Scotland is delighted to be supporting the 2009 Year of Homecoming with a series of initiatives including family trails, spectacular events and the creation of a Homecoming Pass for heritage attractions in association with other heritage organisations.