During the first week of June, we’re taking a moment to shine a little extra light on the heart of New Lanark, our volunteers.

They’re the cheerful faces greeting groups, the careful hands tending to seedlings on our rooftop garden, and they’re the storytellers and sleuths who uncover the details history almost forgot. Whether behind the scenes or front of house, our volunteers are woven into everything that makes New Lanark so special.

Why do people volunteer here? Well, it might be a love of history, a desire to meet new people, to learn something new or share what they already know. Some are here to build skills, gain experience, or simply because they adore this place. But whatever brings them to our door, what they all have in common is that they’re extraordinary.

They’re the kind of people who can trace a family tree back five generations, or gently guide a whirlwind of eight-year-olds through the Annie McLeod ride with grace and good humour. They’ll brighten your day with a smile or surprise you with a historical fact that even the best guidebooks overlook. From our Christmas experiences to heritage open days, they bring ideas to life- creating memorable, meaningful moments for our visitors.

Our volunteers don’t seek recognition, but we appreciate them dearly, every day. And this week, we’ll be sharing more about what they do, why they do it, and who they are.

So join us as we say a heartfelt thank you to our volunteers- past, present, and future.

And if you’ve ever thought, “Maybe I’d like to be a part of that,” we have excellent news. If you’ve got a love for people, stories, plants, or even just an odd Wednesday afternoon free- we’re currently welcoming new volunteers! At the very least, you’ll walk away with an oddly specific knowledge of 19th-century spinning machinery, and maybe a few new friends too.

Sign up and see what you might discover at New Lanark.