Robert Smail’s Printing Works, Innerleithen is celebrating the 500 years of printing in Scotland by staging Victorian living history tours.

For the first time visitors to this unique National Trust for Scotland property can literally step back in time and meet employees of R. Smail & Sons from 1896.

Customers to R. Smail’s would never go beyond placing their orders in the office, but by applying to take up an apprenticeship here, visitors will be able to view ‘the works’ as it would have been.

Sirs,
We are inviting attendance from potential apprentices whom may be interested in learning all aspects of the printing trade.

Apply in person to R. Smail & Sons, High Street, Innerleithen on Saturday inst. Applicants will be received between the hours of Noon and 5 o’clock whereupon staff will instruct and then judge upon suitability for the positions available.

Your obedient servant,

R. C. Smail

On 15th September 1507 Androw Myllar and Walter Chepman were granted a patent by King James IV, an enthusiastic innovator and patron of the arts, to set up Scotland’s first printing press in Edinburgh’s ‘South Gait’ (now the Cowgate).

The trade they learnt in France and brought to Scotland 500 years ago differs little from the way Smail’s worked from 1866 until 1986.

The huge Victorian advance in technology means that the presses are more modern but the type is still set by hand in the original way.

The Living History Tours will run on the last Saturday of the month during our open season. 26th April, 31st May, 28th June, 26th July, 30th August, 27th September and 25th October within our normal opening hours of Noon-5pm and normal admission prices apply.

Opening times
21st Machr to 31st October, Thursday–Monday 12–5; Sunday 1–5

Getting There
Robert Smail's Printing Works is in High Street, Innerleithen

Bus: First Edinburgh (62) from Edinburgh or Peebles; (0870) 608 2 608
Cycling: NCN 1
Road: A72, 6m from Peebles (Innerleithen Road)
Ordnance Survey Ref: OS Ref: NT332367

More Details
2008: The Year of the Printed Word.
2008 has been designated the Year of the Printed Word by the Scottish Government and ties in with quincentenary of Printing in Scotland.
James IV granted the first license to Walter Chepman and Androw Myllar of 15th September 1507 and the earliest copy of one of their books (4th April 1508) is held in the collection of The National Library of Scotland.
The National Library of Scotland (NLS) is planning a major exhibition from April 2008 to celebrate 500 years of the Book in Scotland and there are national events planned by other galleries, museums and libraries across Scotland (500 Years of Printing).
These celebrations provide a unique opportunity to bring a spotlight onto Robert Smail’s Printing Works, one of Trust’s smaller and more unusual properties (and one of the few operational letterpress printers left in Scotland).

Admission prices: FREE to members - Join Now
Adult £5
Family £14
1 Parent £10
Concession £4