Stanley Mills, courtesy Historic Scotland
Stanley Mills in Perthshire has been awarded a Sandford Award for Heritage Education in its first year of opening as a visitor attraction.
The redeveloped Scottish cotton mill complex includes a hi-tech visitor experience which tells the story of the mill and those who worked there. The site is home to The Bell Mill – one of the oldest surviving factories in the world – and Stanley Village, built in the 1780s as accommodation for mill workers.
Commending the work of Stanley Mills, Minister for Culture and External Affairs, Fiona Hyslop said she was encouraged by the way it had helped young people to "get involved in the past and its role in the development of contemporary Scotland."
"Awards like these pay tribute to the fantastic work that is being carried out to help achieve this," she added.
The mills date back to the late 18th century and were the economic powerhouse of the surrounding area for 200 years.
The team from the Mills joined other recipients from across the UK to receive their award from His Royal Highness The Earl of Wessex at a ceremony at Windsor Castle on Monday (15th February).
The Sandford Awards, which are run by the Heritage Education Trust in partnership with Bishop Grosseteste University College in Lincoln, reward innovative heritage and educational schemes and partnerships run by sites.
