Who knew a heatwave would be my travel companion on a trip to an 18th-century mill village? On what must’ve been one of the hottest days ever recorded in Scotland (my internal thermostat didn’t help), we set off early to New Lanark—UNESCO World Heritage Site and testament to social reformer Robert Owen’s vision for a better working world.

The village itself is a gorgeously preserved industrial relic with a heart. We spent our first hour exploring the historic mill, soaking in stories of child workers, textile machinery, and progressive education (all while fanning myself with the visitor map). The rooftop garden offered some respite and a cracking view—and thankfully, a breeze. The audio-visual ride with “ghost girl” Anne McLeod was unexpectedly eerie, charming, and educational all at once—though I’m now convinced some of those walls are whispering.

The smell of real cotton lingered through the exhibits, grounding the experience in the grit of working-class history. It’s hard not to reflect on the resilience of the 10-year-olds who once toiled there.

After the mill, we wandered down to the Falls of Clyde. Nature was in full bloom: plenty of butterflies doing their fluttery thing, but oddly no bees (which felt a bit ominous). The walk was peaceful, and while the heat made me wish I could leap into the river, the shade of the trees and relative quiet made it manageable.

The site was lively without being rammed—ideal for those of us who prefer to move at a slightly slower pace and take in the atmosphere without being jostled. We skipped the pricey café and picnicked instead in a community garden spot, enjoying a rare moment of quiet solitude and the simple joy of not being on a schedule.

New Lanark is a beautifully restored, historically rich site that tells a powerful story of labour, community, and reform. It’s easily accessible from Edinburgh or Glasgow, and if you’re a history nerd, nature lover, or just someone in perimenopause looking for a meaningful day out with a bit of shade and a lot of substance—this place delivers.