A UNESCO World Heritage Site – New Lanark Visitor Centre
Source: https://newlanark.org/about-new-lanark/world-heritage-site
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:16
A UNESCO World Heritage Site – New Lanark Visitor Centre
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A UNESCO World Heritage Site
New Lanark as a UNESCO World Heritage Site
A World Heritage Site is classified as a natural or man-made site, area, or structure recognized as being of Outstanding Universal Value and therefore as deserving special protection. Sites are nominated to and designated by the World Heritage Convention, an organization of The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
Buffer Zone
The New Lanark World Heritage Site Buffer Zone is designed to comply with UNESCO guidance that buffer zones should include the immediate setting of the inscribed Site, important views and other areas or attributes that are functionally important to the support of the site and its protection. It takes account of key views into and from the site and other buildings and land in the surrounding area. The purpose of the buffer zone and sensitive area is to indicate areas where development proposals require careful consideration by developers and decision-makers to determine whether they are likely to significantly impact the WHS, its OUV, or its authenticity and integrity.
DOWNLOAD THE NEW LANARK WORLD HERITAGE SITE MAP OF DESIGNATIONS
INSCRIPTION
New Lanark was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001.
New Lanark is an exceptional example of a purpose-built 18th century mill village. Thanks to an ongoing process of conservation and rehabilition spanning almost half a century, the appearance of the village today is close to that of the early nineteenth century, when the mill buildings formed one of the largest industrial groups in the world. At New Lanark, David Dale and Robert Owen created a model for industrial communities that was to spread across the world in the 19th and 20th centuries, establishing a milestone in social and industrial history, and having lasting influences on society, even two hundred years on.
New Lanark’s incription as a UNESCO World heritage site confirms it’s Outstanding Universal Value. You can read more about New Lanark and its Outstanding Universal Value on the
UNESCO website
.
MANAGEMENT
Conserve, Contribute, Evolve
The management of the World Heritage property New Lanark is the responsibility of its three main partners: South Lanarkshire Council, Historic Environment Scotland and the New Lanark Trust. The New Lanark Management Plan is endorsed and strategically overseen by the management partners, who also assume responsibility for its implementation. The sustainable management of tourism at New Lanark is addressed in the Management Plan. The Partnership Group, through the implementation of the Management Plan, ensures that present and future tourism within the property is developed in an environmentally and economically sustainable way for the benefit of the local community.
Management Plan (2025 – 2030)
New Lanark World Heritage Trust, with support from Historic Environment Scotland and South Lanarkshire Council, have prepared a five-year Management Plan to guide the protection and management of the World Heritage Site. The Plan outlines key issues, incorporates feedback from local communities and stakeholders and includes a monitoring programme for conservation and delivery.
As part of this process,
a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of the Management Plan
has been carried out to ensure environmental considerations are fully integrated into the Plan. This supports our sustainability priorities and climate commitment.
Management Plan (2025 – 2030)
What’s on
Women of Lanark Spring Walk
Join us on Friday 17th of April for our Women of Lanark Spring Walk and explore the fascinating stories of
FIND OUT MORE
Artie’s Singing Kettle
Artie’s Singing Kettle LIVE! Celebrate 10 years of Artie’s solo adventures in this fun-filled, sing-along show for all ages!
FIND OUT MORE
Hamish from the Highlands Gaelic Trail
Help us celebrate Gaelic Week this February by following in Hamish from the Highland’s footsteps at New Lanark! This
FIND OUT MORE
Copper Foil Workshops – March & April
Make your own stained glass snowdrop or bird in these interactive workshops being held by Stephanie Whatley from Biggar glassworks.
FIND OUT MORE
New Lanark – Stories from the Mills
Exploring Special Stories from New Lanark's History. Join our informative talk series and learn about New Lanark's past.
FIND OUT MORE
General Public Guided Tours
Join our experienced tour guide and learn more about the history of our remarkable World Heritage Site. Every Saturday at
FIND OUT MORE
Skip to content
A UNESCO World Heritage Site
New Lanark as a UNESCO World Heritage Site
A World Heritage Site is classified as a natural or man-made site, area, or structure recognized as being of Outstanding Universal Value and therefore as deserving special protection. Sites are nominated to and designated by the World Heritage Convention, an organization of The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
Buffer Zone
The New Lanark World Heritage Site Buffer Zone is designed to comply with UNESCO guidance that buffer zones should include the immediate setting of the inscribed Site, important views and other areas or attributes that are functionally important to the support of the site and its protection. It takes account of key views into and from the site and other buildings and land in the surrounding area. The purpose of the buffer zone and sensitive area is to indicate areas where development proposals require careful consideration by developers and decision-makers to determine whether they are likely to significantly impact the WHS, its OUV, or its authenticity and integrity.
DOWNLOAD THE NEW LANARK WORLD HERITAGE SITE MAP OF DESIGNATIONS
INSCRIPTION
New Lanark was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001.
New Lanark is an exceptional example of a purpose-built 18th century mill village. Thanks to an ongoing process of conservation and rehabilition spanning almost half a century, the appearance of the village today is close to that of the early nineteenth century, when the mill buildings formed one of the largest industrial groups in the world. At New Lanark, David Dale and Robert Owen created a model for industrial communities that was to spread across the world in the 19th and 20th centuries, establishing a milestone in social and industrial history, and having lasting influences on society, even two hundred years on.
New Lanark’s incription as a UNESCO World heritage site confirms it’s Outstanding Universal Value. You can read more about New Lanark and its Outstanding Universal Value on the
UNESCO website
.
MANAGEMENT
Conserve, Contribute, Evolve
The management of the World Heritage property New Lanark is the responsibility of its three main partners: South Lanarkshire Council, Historic Environment Scotland and the New Lanark Trust. The New Lanark Management Plan is endorsed and strategically overseen by the management partners, who also assume responsibility for its implementation. The sustainable management of tourism at New Lanark is addressed in the Management Plan. The Partnership Group, through the implementation of the Management Plan, ensures that present and future tourism within the property is developed in an environmentally and economically sustainable way for the benefit of the local community.
Management Plan (2025 – 2030)
New Lanark World Heritage Trust, with support from Historic Environment Scotland and South Lanarkshire Council, have prepared a five-year Management Plan to guide the protection and management of the World Heritage Site. The Plan outlines key issues, incorporates feedback from local communities and stakeholders and includes a monitoring programme for conservation and delivery.
As part of this process,
a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of the Management Plan
has been carried out to ensure environmental considerations are fully integrated into the Plan. This supports our sustainability priorities and climate commitment.
Management Plan (2025 – 2030)
What’s on
Women of Lanark Spring Walk
Join us on Friday 17th of April for our Women of Lanark Spring Walk and explore the fascinating stories of
FIND OUT MORE
Artie’s Singing Kettle
Artie’s Singing Kettle LIVE! Celebrate 10 years of Artie’s solo adventures in this fun-filled, sing-along show for all ages!
FIND OUT MORE
Hamish from the Highlands Gaelic Trail
Help us celebrate Gaelic Week this February by following in Hamish from the Highland’s footsteps at New Lanark! This
FIND OUT MORE
Copper Foil Workshops – March & April
Make your own stained glass snowdrop or bird in these interactive workshops being held by Stephanie Whatley from Biggar glassworks.
FIND OUT MORE
New Lanark – Stories from the Mills
Exploring Special Stories from New Lanark's History. Join our informative talk series and learn about New Lanark's past.
FIND OUT MORE
General Public Guided Tours
Join our experienced tour guide and learn more about the history of our remarkable World Heritage Site. Every Saturday at
FIND OUT MORE