Robert Smail’s Printing Works
County: Peeblesshire
Postcode: EH44 6EB
Best for: Families, curious children, and fans of vintage machinery
Average visit time: 1.5 to 2 hours
This is a real time capsule located in Innerleithen. It is a fully functional Victorian printing office that has remained almost exactly as it was over a hundred years ago. It’s a very “hands-on” place where you can see the heavy iron presses and rows of tiny metal letters used to print everything from local newspapers to posters.
What makes this worth a visit is that you don’t just look at the machines—you can often try them out. It’s great for children and adults to see how things were made before computers. You can even try “setting” your own name in metal type and seeing it printed onto paper, which is a fantastic souvenir.
It’s an excellent indoor activity and very educational without feeling like a school lesson. It’s usually a big hit with families because it’s so interactive and different from a standard museum.
Good to know: It is owned by the National Trust for Scotland, so members get in for free. Space can be a bit tight around the vintage machinery, so it’s worth checking if you need to book a specific timeslot during busy periods.