Robert Smail's Printing Works

A unique example of our industrial heritage in the form of a fully operational Victorian Letterpress Printing Works in the Borders town of Innerleithen.
Find out why you had to mind your p's and q's

25th June 2010 - This day, 20 years ago, Smail's opened its doors to the public as a visitor attraction in the care of the National Trust for Scotland.

See printing as it was at the turn of the last century

Records of the Smail's time as a shipping agent in the town

180 1/4' glass plate negatives taken on a bellows camera by Robert Cowan Smail featuring local scenes and people

52 Guardbooks documenting every job printed from 1876 until 1951

An archive of business records dating from the start of the printing business in 1866 until 1986

Opportunity to try setting type by hand

Unique and exclusive products produced on site and for sale in the shop

A reconstructed water wheel shows how the works were originally powered

Still producing commercial work today

No computers-guaranteed!

Original shop, office, paper store, caseroom and machine room

Additional info

Most parts are fully accessible though there are stairs to the Caseroom. No public toilets at Smail's but there are public toilets on Hall Street at the other end of the High Street (approx 5 mins walk away). Shop: Fully accessible Guidebook Interpretation Panels. All sections of the tour are guided by experienced and knowledgeable members of staff