GUIDED TOURS Robert Smail's Printing Works
Oldest working commercial letterpress printers in the UK – a living museum of Victorian history
Location
Robert Smail's Printing Works
7 - 9 High Street Innerleithen EH44 6HA United KingdomRefund Policy
About this event
- Try your hand at being an apprentice compositor in the Caseroom.
- See how newspapers, tickets, posters and letterheads were printed before the digital age.
- Explore Robert Smail’s office, scarcely altered since 1866.
- Admire the waterwheel that once powered the printing works.
- Discover a working letterpress printers.
Robert Smail’s Printing Works is open Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The shop is open from 11am to 5pm. Tours begin at 11am, 1.30pm, and 3.15pm.
Access to the printing works area is by tour only. Tours last around 90 minutes.
Spaces are limited and so booking in advance is recommended. Members can book for free, while non-members will need to pay when booking. If you do not pre-book, we cannot guarantee entry to the property and you may be turned away; without booking, you travel at your own risk.
For last minute spaces, call 01896 830 206
Members
Member entry will be free but you must book in advance.
Each individual member will require a ticket so please ensure you purchase the correct quantity of tickets to cover those visiting (eg Family Members bringing 2 adults and 2 children will require 4 family membership tickets).
You’ll also need to show your membership card on arrival. Members of other National Trusts (for e.g. The National Trust [England]) & groups such as ASVA are also admitted free. Please book as a Trust memeber and bring your cards to show on entry.
Non-Members
Please purchase the required ticket type. You may be asked for identification upon entry. Prices exclude Eventbrite booking fee.
- Adult – £10
- Concession – £8
- Family (2 adults and up to 2 children) – £30
- 1 Parent family – £20
Before you travel
Please do not visit if you or a member of your household has had any symptoms of COVID-19 in the last 14 days.
Parking is available at the Leithen Road car park, across the road opposite the Memorial Hall, 5 mins walk away, or on Leithen Crescent around the corner from the Printing Works. Please note that parking on the High Street is restricted to 45 mins. Limited bicycle storage is available in our courtyard (please ask shop staff for assistance).
Accessibility
Unfortunately, our Caseroom is upstairs and is not suitable for wheelchair access.
Any necessary companion(s) are admitted free (please book as a Trust member). We welcome all assistance dogs.
Toilets
The printing works has no public toilet facilities.
Gift Shop
Our gift shop is open between 11am–5pm.
We hope you enjoy your visit!
Frequently asked questions
The tour lasts 90 minutes.
There are 17 steps up to the caseroom, with no other access. There is a step of about 4 inches up into the Paperstore, and 2 steps down leaving the office/shop area, although these can be circumvented via an alley to the right of the shop. Main entry is at ground level from the high street.
Unfortunately we have no public toilets.
Unfortunately we only allow assistance dogs. The rooms in the building can be small/ crowded, and there is loud working machinery.
Parking is available at the Leithen Road car park, across the road opposite the Memorial Hall, 5 mins walk away, or on Leithen Crescent around the corner from the Printing Works. Please note that parking on the High Street is restricted to 45 mins. Limited bicycle storage is available in the yard.