A collection of local treasures uncovered at one of Scotland's most successful charities and social enterprises
One of Scotland's most successful charities and social enterprises will feature on BBC1's Antiques Roadshow this Sunday.
Presenter Fiona Bruce and the show's antiques experts are hosting a programme from New Lanark World Heritage Site.
The 18th-century cotton mill and UNESCO world heritage site proved to be successful location for the show, which will see a series of gems unearthed, including a rare cuddly towy found abandoned in a skip.
Other treasures to feature in the show include a pearl necklace bought cheaply at a boot sale and a valuable clock found in a flea market. There is also a moment of disquiet when a guest reveals how a family painting is a reminder of an uncomfortable family secret that dates back to the days of Nazi Germany.
Behind the scenes, the stunning scenery and breath-taking views at New Lanark World Heritage Site offer a tremendous backdrop for the show. A former 18th century cotton spinning mill village, founded by David Dale and Richard Arkwright in 1785, its history transports the viewer back to the height of the cotton spinning industry.
Located on the banks of the Falls of Clyde just under 1 hour from Glasgow and Edinburgh, it gained international fame under the enlightened management of Robert Owen and was a successful spinning centre until its closure in 1968.
New Lanark village is now owned and operated by New Lanark Trust, a registered Scottish Charity which, since 1974, has been restoring and revitalising the village as a living and working site. Today it is recognised as one of Scotland’s 6 UNESCO World Heritage Sites of outstanding universal value and welcomes over 300,000 visitors annually to the site.
Evelyn Whitelaw, New Lanark Trust’s Events & Exhibitions Officer, who worked with the BBC to coordinate the filming, said: “The visit from BBC Antiques Roadshow was fascinating - the visitors, the objects they brought, their stories and the location combined to make a fabulous experience uncovering some items and stories about the local area which we hadn’t know about before.”
BBC Antiques Roadshow is aired on BBC One at 7.30pm on Sunday 28 May 2017.
