Best for printing

Published on Tuesday 21 October 2008 20:36

ROBERT SMAIL'S PRINTING WORKS , High Street, Innerleithen, 0844 493 2259 www.nts.org.uk/Property/52

Run by the National Trust for Scotland, this is a fully operational Victorian printing works. Visitors to the site can see the presses turning, visit the paper store and tour the composing room, even try typesetting by hand.

SOUTH MUSEUM, The Dick Institute, Elmbank Avenue, Kilmarnock, 01563 554343

A newly-built, working replica of the printing press used by publisher John Wilson to print Robert Burns' first edition (or Kilmarnock edition) in 1786 has been unveiled at the Dick Institute. The press can be operated under supervision.

CALLENDAR HOUSE AND PARK, Falkirk, 01324 503 789 www.falkirk.gov.uk/cultural

This has specially-constructed areas that take visitors back in time to the early 19th century, including a printers workshop. The in-house printmaker can be seen in the workshop on a working printing press. Until 3 January 2009, the Winter Warmth exhibition will showcase the diverse aspects of contemporary print-making.

THE EDINBURGH PRINTING TRAIL www.500yearsofprinting.org

Guided tours based on the Edinburgh Printing Trail will be held during the Edinburgh Libraries' Fair on Saturday 8 November. The tour includes one of the Recommends best birthplaces at the corner of Blackfriars Street and the Cowgate, the site of Chepman & Myllar's press in 1508 – the first of its kind in Scotland. Tours depart at 10.30am and 2pm and last an hour. Booking required.

EDINBURGH CENTRAL LIBRARY, George IV Bridge, Edinburgh www.edinburgh.gov.uk

Be quick and get along to Edinburgh Central Library to catch the 500 years of Printing in Scotland 1508-2008 exhibition, which runs until 31 October. It explains the development of printing in Scotland and uses examples of the popular press including almanacs, comics, posters and playbills.