Lanark

Lanark , town (1991 pop. 9,778), South Lanarkshire, S central Scotland, on the Clyde River. It has cattle markets and textile mills. There are hydroelectric power stations at the Falls of Clyde, just S of Lanark. Sir William Wallace 's first act of rebellion (1297) was the murder of the English sheriff of Lanark and the burning of the town. Robert Owen conducted industrial and social experiments at the nearby New Lanark mills, founded by his father-in-law, David Dale , in 1785.

New Lanark (Strathclyde), a factory village, was built by David Dale to exploit the water‐power provided by the Clyde in 1784–5. In 1799 Dale sold New Lanark to Robert Owen, his son‐in‐law, and the village acquired a reputation as a profitable and contented community.

New Lanark (Strathclyde), a factory village, was built by David Dale to exploit the water-power provided by the Clyde in 1784–5. Dale erected four cotton-mills and housing for over 200 families by 1793, the population consisting of Highlanders and pauper apprentices. In 1799 Dale sold New Lanark to Robert Owen, his son-in-law, and the village acquired a reputation as a profitable and contented community. Owen built schools and an Institution for the Formation of Character, demonstrating his commitment to environmental psychology and improving his work-force. After Owen, the village went through several changes of ownership and is now a museum conservation area.

John Butt