New Lanark Visitor Centre

Hard going, I was frustrated by the different levels, slopes and rough surfaces. I was on my own, so I was a bit disheartened. A fascinating place, so a real pity.

I was really disappointed with the standards of access at this site. Yes, it's an historic building on a steep site so access wasn't going to be perfect, but the disappointment was that the staff clearly thought their access was great. But it's not. Disabled spaces are at the front of the entrance, but the surface was gravel or cobbles. You progress through the two buildings via a series of ramps which are too steep for modern standards and in several places they turn corners across a slope. I'm a reasonably fit user of an energy efficient lightweight wheelchair. I seldom need assistance in normal conditions - I've even managed stretched of the Royal Mile unaided. But I needed help several times at New Lanark, which was a problem since I went with my son. Coming down the ramps was almost as bad - blisters on my thumbs from trying to keep in control. I wouldn't have been much more confident being pushed by someone inexperienced. On exiting the building the only way back to the car was up a steep roadway with traffic passing in both directions. Access to the school house was down a very steep roadway. Suitable for someone very confident in pushing a wheelchair, as long as the occupant wasn't too heavy.