Summerlee celebrates four millionth visitor

Summerlee Museum of Industrial life welcomed its four millionth visitor since opening its doors in 1988.

Article Source: North Lanarkshire Council
Last Updated: 16 April 2024 13:13

To celebrate the occasion, Provost Kenneth Duffy and Councillor Louise Roarty, depute leader, presented gifts to Autum, Laurel and Mac from Airdrie along with their grandmothers Frances Bodwick and Betty McDonald.

The four-star visitor attraction in Coatbridge is set in 23 acres and offers families a great day out. It boasts a recreated mine with guided tours, miners' cottages, an exhibition hall with working machinery, a play park, a cafe and a shop.

It also has a separate exhibition gallery showing a programme of temporary exhibitions.

Provost of North Lanarkshire, Kenneth Duffy, said: “Summerlee holds an enduring appeal for so many people of all ages from across the globe.

“It is a jewel in the crown of Scotland’s visitor attractions and today is a significant milestone as we welcome the four millionth visitor to this wonderful museum, which explores and celebrates Lanarkshire's rich industrial heritage and the history of the workers.

“I’d like to congratulate all the staff and volunteers associated with Summerlee for their great work.”

Betty McDonald said: “The grandchildren love visiting here, it’s such a wonderful place. I used to bring my daughter here when she was younger – it has so many special memories for us all.”

Frances Borthwick added: “Summerlee is a great place for families, we’ve visited so many times over the years. We were amazed and delighted to be the four millionth visitors.”

The future looks bright for the museum with ambitious plans in place to transform it over the next few years as part of a multi-million-pound programme in collaboration with the Heritage Fund.

Lu McNair, museums and collections manager with North Lanarkshire Council said: “The new developments will take the Summerlee story up until the 1990s and the end of Ravenscraig which is the start of deindustrialisation a very pivotal part of the story of Lanarkshire.

“It means that our visitors will be able to spend the whole day here as there will be even more things for people to see and do and enjoy.”

Summerlee is situated around the 19th Century Summerlee Ironworks site and a restored section of a branch of the Monklands Canal.

It was one of Scotland's most important ironworks, opening in 1836 until its closure in 1926. The remains of its blast furnaces and other structures can be seen from the view pod and parapet at the north-east side of the main exhibition hall.

Summerlee Museum of Industrial Life is open seven days a week and is free to visit.