Robert Smail's Printing Works

Robert Smail's Printing Works

The small Peeblesshire town of Innerleithen is the home of Robert Smail's Printing Works, a fully operational jobbing letterpress printers, first established in the town in 1866. The property includes a Gift Shop, Office and Printworks (Paper Store, Caseroom and Machineroom) and was acquired by the National Trust for Scotland in 1986 on the retiral of Cowan Smail, the third generation of the family which had owned the firm for 120 years. During that time, Smail's carried out print jobs for the whole community, in addition to publishing a weekly newspaper from 1893 until 1916.

Our archive includes 50 guardbooks containing a copy of every printed job for nearly a century. In the office, job dockets, invoices, wages books and ledgers dating back to the start of the business are stacked on shelves. Drawers full of slates and pencils, nibs, sealing wax, bottles of ink and ARP tape confirm that Smail's was the place to buy anything and everything. Replica guardbooks, newspapers and shipping tickets can be looked at.

Visitors can see rack upon rack of founders' type arranged around the Caseroom, and shelves of poster type lining the walls. Here everything was punctiliously set by hand (and still is!) for Smail's made little attempt to enter the twentieth century. The last job set by Cowan Smail is still in its galley: ‘Closing Down Sale from Today'.

Everyone who visits Smail's is encouraged to try hand setting for themselves and if time allows the Compositor will proof these efforts to see who has (or hasn't) passed their apprenticeships!

In the Machineroom visitors will see the presses in action from the Treadle Platen, through the Wharfedale Reliance (bought in the 1870s) to the Heidelberg Platen, bought at an exhibition in 1952. When the presses are in action you will see the old belt and pulley system, a throw-back to when Smail's ran on water power.

The Trust is carrying on many Smail's traditions: the annual St. Ronan's Calendar is being printed once again and we are printing a range of jobbing work to suit our customer needs.

Come and visit one of the National Trust for Scotland's smaller and more unusual properties, a fully operational letterpress printing works, and try setting type as it would have been in the time of Chepman and Myllar.

Free Entry to Members of the NTS/NT, otherwise charge applies.

Workshops and Events 2010

20-22 August 2010
Innerleithen Music Festival Offer

2 for 1 on tours of Robert Smail’s on production of a valid Music Festival Ticket

5th and 8th September
Whistle Stop Smail’s and Supper
6.30pm (part of the Scottish Borders Walking Festival and in partnership with the Whistle Stop Café) £17.50 (£16 concs). Enjoy a tour of Robert Smail’s Printing Works followed by a two course supper and drink at the wonderful Whistle Stop Café. To book a place: www.borderswalking.com [4]

Printrash Workshops
10am – Noon and repeated 2pm – 4pm
Print on, with and make from the everyday things people leave behind. Minimum age 8 years (unless accompanied by an adult. Cost: Adults £6, concessions/children £5. To book a place telephone 0844 493 2259.

29 October 2010
6.30pm until 8.30pm
Leaf Printing Workshop
(in association with Scottish Borders Rangers Service and the Tweed Valley Forest Festival)
Use leaves from trees and plants to print images to make greetings cards and pictures. This workshop is the perfect chance to try a variety of printing techniques. Minimum age 8 years.
Cost to cover materials Adults £6, concessions/children £5.
To book a place telephone 0844 493 2259.

CHRISTMAS GIFT SHOP
Open 10am-4pm (9am-3pm on Saturdays)
Friday 12 November
Saturday 13 November
Monday 15 November
Friday 19 November
Saturday 20 November
Monday 22 November
Friday 26 November*
Saturday 27 November
Sunday 28 November (part of Open Innerleithen)
Monday 29 November
Friday 3 December
Saturday 4 December
Monday 6 December
Friday 10 December
Saturday 11 December
Monday 13 December
Friday 17 December
Saturday 18 December
Monday 20 December
Tuesday 21 December
Wednesday 22 December
Thursday 23 December

* Shopping after Dark, 6pm until 9pm. A chance to late night shop, drink mulled wine and eat mince pies.
28 November Get Crafty for Christmas Drop in workshop to make gift bags, tags, wrapping paper and/or cards. Donations to cover materials requested.

The National Trust for Scotland for Places of Historic Interest and Natural Beauty is a charity registered in Scotland, Charity Number SC 007410