THE LACE EXHIBITIONS

A three day event, joining up the three valley towns and part of the 2026 Lace Festival. 

When: Wednesday 7th - Saturday 10th October

Time: Wed-Fri 12:00–20:00 / Sat 10:00–16:00

Where: Darvel Town Hall, Morton Hall Newmilns, Galston Town Hall

Explore historical artifacts, exquisite lace collections and a breathtaking scrim painting commissioned by the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Don't miss this once-in-a-century milestone. Make a day of it and enjoy a warm welcome in our local coffee shops and pubs.

Organisers: Discover Darvel, Newmilns Regeneration Association & Galston Trust

THE SCOTS FOOTBALL HISTORIANS GROUP FOOTBALL TRAIL

A captivating talk from Iain Campbell Whittle, member of The Scots Football Historians Group around the SFHG trail.

When: Wednesday 7th October

Time: 15:00–17:00

Where: Morton Hall 

Organiser: Newmilns Regeneration Association

BEHIND THE SCENES AT MYB TEXTILES

A rare opportunity to see the world renowned surviving looms in action - part of the 2026 Lace Festival

When: Thursday 8th October

Time: 10:00–12:-00 / 14:00–16:00

Where: MYB Textiles, 14 Stoneygate Road, Newmilns

Pre-booking is essential as there will be limited spaces available.

Organisers: Discover Darvel, Newmilns Regeneration Association & Galston Trust

BEHIND THE SCENES

AT HADDOW AIRD & CRERAR

Discover the craftmanship inside one of our two remaining lace factories - part of the 2026 Lace Festival

When: Friday 9th October

Time: 10:00–12:-00 / 14:00–16:00

Where: Haddow, Aird & Crerar, 76 Brown Street, Newmilns

Pre-booking is essential as there will be limited spaces available.

Organisers: Discover Darvel, Newmilns Regeneration Association & Galston Trust

THE LACE TRAIL WALK

A guided journey through the valley landscape, winding from Darvel through to Galston. Hosted by Valley Walkfest.

When: Saturday 10th October

Time: 10.00 (Registration)

Where: Darvel Town Hall

Pre-book on the email link below. Registration at 10.00 am with the walk starting at 10.30am. Refreshments served at the end of the walk in Galston Town Hall.

The walk starts in Darvel and ends in Galston and is approximately 4.5 miles long, relatively flat and easy. It will take in the following points of interest:

Darvel Town Hall - Lace Exhibition. Start of the Lace Tail - registration and take in the Darvel theme of Valley Lace.

Ranoldcoup Road - Birthplace of Alexander Morton. Mount Holy, a two-storeyed house, shared with other families, was where Alexander Morton (founder of the lace industry) was born, along with his four siblings. His father Guy Morton, who was one of twelve children, was a handloom weaver as well as a woodsman on the Lanfine Estate. His father died when Alexander was 6 years old. Alexander started work aged eight as a farm worker. The site is now occupied by the old Central Church Hall.

The Waterlip - Where lace and madras fabric was bleached. The Irvinebank Bleachfield was built in 1904 to bleach the lace and muslin to achieve a full white fabric. Owned by James Cleland who built the Grange, Darvel.

Morton Park - Philanthropy. In 1898 land purchased and gifted by Alexander Morton to benefit the community of Darvel as a public park in perpetuity.

Lace Benches - Tribute. Six bespoke metal benches were commissioed to celebrate the Lace Industry in the Valley.

Temple Street - A series of handloom weavers’ cottages. On the left hand side there is a row of handloom weavers cottages. Originally, they would have had thatched roofs. One side of the main door would be the small living/sleeping accommodation, whilst at the other side was the larger handloom “shop” often containing one or two, handlooms or more. You can tell the size of the “shop” as each handloom had a dedicated window.

No. 67 West Main Street - A three loom "shop". This is one of the few remaining examples of a handloom weaver's three loom "shop". Count the windows. 

No. 104 West Main Street - Alexander Morton's marital home. In 1867 A. Morton gathered sufficient savings to build his first home, a but and ben, at 104 West Main Street (now demolished) for his wife Jeanie Wiseman and two children. They went on to have a further three children at this address. Note: In 1863 Alexander Morton (aged 19) married Jeanie Wiseman (aged 18).

Gowanbank - Purpose built in 1881. Remarkably, this was built as a semi detached house - two houses in one. Alexander and his famiily lived in West Gowanbank, whilst his brother Robert and family lived in East Gowanbank.

Alexander Morton Memorial -  Permanent tribute to Alexander Morton. The monument commemorates the life of Alexander Morton (1844-1923). The stone frieze to the left depicts a handloom and weaver, the frieze to the right panel is of a power loom and weaver. The central bronze bust was originally designed by the Scoesh sculptor C. J. Pilkington Jackson, however this bronze was stolen many years ago and a replacement bust was produced by renowned sculptor Sandy Stoddart. The memorial was originally built by public subscription in 1927, after a design by the famous architect Sir Robert Lorimer. Interestingly, the idea of a memorial was originally planned for Hastings Square, but the architect felt a more permanent location was near Morton’s home, Gowanbank overlooking the countryside which Morton loved and took inspiration from. This is a Category “A” Listed historic monument.

Railway Viaduct - Transportation. The imposing Victorian railway viaduct at Greenside was built between 1895 and 1896 as part of an extension of the railway line from Newmilns to Strathaven. Its primary purpose was the transportation of coal, however, it also performed a major role in the expansion of the lace and textile industry in Darvel transporting raw materials, finished goods and most importantly an increased labour force from Hurlford and Kilmarnock. Before the railway line was extended there were only four factories in Darvel compared with twenty factories after the railway was built.

Lace Mural - No. 1. Mural depicting a dramatic lace curtain draped over the Newmilns Crest and motto. Painted in 2025 by Frank and Mandy Carty of Artisan Artworks, local mural artists. Organised by the Newmilns Regeneration Associaiton.

Morton Hall - Lace Exhibition. Take in the Newmilns theme of Valley Lace.

Lace Mural - No. 2. Mural depicting Janey Gray, a lace hand darner currently working at MYB Textiles. Painted in 2025 by Frank and Mandy Carty of Artisan Artworks, local mural artists. Organised by the Newmilns Regeneration Association.

Hood & Morton - First Lace Factory in Newmilns.  Established in 1864 to house handloom madras production, 12 years before they introduced machine-made lace. Originally known as Hood, Morton & Clelands, Greenholm Factory. Now demolished, it stood at the corner of the western corner of Nelson Street, overlooking the river.

Haddow, Aird & Crerar - Textile producing factory. Established in 1881 to produce machine made lace. The factory is still producing high quality fabrics, particularly types of screencloth on original lace looms for the theatrical and lighting industries. The building was designed by local architect John Macintosh of Strath Mill Cottage, Galston (refer item 16). There is a new textile information board located adjacent.

MYB Textiles - Last lace producing factory. Formerly known as Morton, Young & Borland, this company was set up in 1900 to produce lace, tapestry and madras. The factory is now the last remaining producer of luxury Nottingham patterned lace as well as the sole producer worldwide of traditional Scottish madras. There is a new textile information board located nearby.

Strath (Paper) Mill Cottage - Architect. John Macintosh was born, lived and worked from here. John was an amazing Victorian individual. He was an architect, photographer, artist, writer, poet and violin maker. As an architect he designed many of the local buildings in the Valley including various lace factories including Haddow, Aird & Crerar.

Barmill Road - Lace factories. This is where two of the three lace factories in Galston were built - namely J. M. Robertson & Co. and Peden, Young & Reid (later know as Hendries). At their height they had 28 Nottingham lace machines between them. Now demolished and replaced by housing.

Galston Town Hall - Lace Exhibition. End of the lace trail. Visit the newly refurbished and extended Galston Town Hall and take in the theme of Valley Lace. Coffee and cake served.

Organisers: Discover Darvel, Newmilns Regeneration Association & Galston Trust

Hosted by: Valley Walkfest

THE WARP AND THE WEFT

An evening of conversation hosted by celebrated broadcaster Billy Kay.

When: Saturday 10th October

Time: 7.30 pm

Where: Darvel Town Hall

Join celebrated broadcaster Billy Kay who will chair a poignant night of stories from local guest speakers reflecting on the human legacy of the looms.

Organisers: Discover Darvel, Newmilns Regeneration Association & Galston Trust

SPOOKY HALLOWEEN TRAIL

Get ready for a frightfully fun evening on our Spooky Halloween Trail.

When: Friday 30th October

Time: 18:-00–20:00

Where: Registration at NRA CHaT Hub, 4 Brown Street

Follow the trail, discover themed stops along the way, and enjoy plenty of Halloween surprises. Dress up in your best spooky costume and join us for a thrilling night of community fun.

We can’t wait to see all the ghosts, ghouls, and little monsters.

Organiser: Townhead TARA

CHRISTMAS FAYRE & LIGHT SWITCH-ON

Join us as Newmilns officially starts the festive season with our annual Christmas Fayre and Light Switch-On.

When: Saturday 28 November

Time: 16:00–18:00

Where: 

Festive Market Stalls: Morton Hall

Santa's Grotto: Church Hall

Christmas Light Switch-On: Kirkgate Gardens

Music and Refreshments throughout the evening.

Wrap up warm and enjoy a festive evening in the heart of the town.

Lead Organiser: Newmilns Regeneration Association

NEWMILNS PANTO - PUSS IN BOOTS

The annual Newmilns Panto promises an evening of laughter, music and family entertainment.

When: Monday, 30th November

Time: 7.00 pm

Where: Morton Hall

Expect colourful costumes, lively audience participation and plenty of festive fun for all ages.

This year’s production of Puss in Boots is brought to you by Newmilns & Greenholm Community Council, with the show produced by Geez a Break Productions.

Organiser: Newmilns & Greenholm Community Council 

HOGMANAY CEILIDH

Celebrate the end of the year with a night of traditional music and dancing. Live music by Fala Music, with caller-led dances ensuring everyone can take part.

When: Thursday 31st December

Time: 7.30 pm - 12.30 am

Where: Morton Hall

Whether you are an experienced dancer or trying it for the first time, this promises to be an enjoyable and welcoming evening for all ages. Includes a popular raffle and buffet to enjoy during the evening.

Ticket prices: £15 Adults £10 Children/Concessions 

Bar/refreshments: BYOB

Book: To book your tickets, please click the link below.

Organiser: Newmilns Regeneration Association