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NorthLan Heritage @nlheritage.bsky.social · 13h

#OnThisDay in 1772 pioneering metallurgist David Mushet was born in Dalkeith. Mushet discovered that Lanarkshire's Blackband ironstone could be smelted in a blast furnace without coke. His son Robert improved the Bessemer steelmaking process www.northlanmuseums.co.uk/blog/into-th... #FerrousFriday

Monochrome image of an illustration of a seated elderly man in a dark suit and white shirt with black bowtie. He has grey hair and sideburns and holds a pair of spectacles in his right hand.

Modern photograph of the ruins of an ironworks (Whitecliff Iron Works in the Forest of Dean) dominated by a tapering, rectangular, stone-built blast furnace built against a tree-filled hillside. The furnace has a single large arch at ground level.

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Scottish Transport & Industrial Collections & Knowledge Network @sticknetwork.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Join us on 13 November to celebrate 200 years of Scotland’s railways Booking is live for our autumn conference at the Engine Shed, Sirling. Topics include viaducts, signalling & how the railways created the fish supper! Sign up here www.eventbrite.com/e/stick-conf...

eventbrite.com

STICK Conference: 200 Years of Scotland's Railways

STICK's autumn conference will explore Scotland's rich railway heritage.

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NorthLan Heritage @nlheritage.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

For those who couldn't make our Doors Open Days canal walk last weekend you might like to take a virtual walk along the Gartsherrie, Hornock & Summerlee Branch of the Monkland Canal via our curatorial blog www.northlanmuseums.co.uk/blog/a-strol...

A tarmac path through trees. The path is on the route of the canal branch at Summerlee Museum. Beyond is the stonework of a railway embankment.

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NorthLan Heritage @nlheritage.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

For this week's #rural #OnlineArtExchange this is 'Rhum & Sanna Bay' by Tom Hovell Shanks (1921-2020) from our collection artuk.org/discover/art...

A painting showing a view across a sunny beach of sand punctuated by rocks across to a low headland and, beyond pale blue mountains with fluffy clouds in a blue sky.

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NorthLan Heritage @nlheritage.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

We're going to the coast for this week's #OnlineArtExchange 'A Breezy Day at Carradale' by Peter MacGregor Wilson shows a bracing day on the Kintyre peninsula artuk.org/discover/art... @artukdotorg.bsky.social

A painting of the sea on a rocky coastline. There is a sandy stretch of beach in the foreground and a low, rock headland on the right. To the left, yachts near the horizon are pitching to the left and the sky overhead is cloudy and painted to suggest movement.

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NorthLan Heritage @nlheritage.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Greetings from rainy Lanarkshire for today's #OnlineArtExchange on the subject of #holidays Parisien artist Gabriel Deschamps (1919-2011) evokes a glamorous holiday in Monte Carlo with this painting from our collection artuk.org/discover/art...

A painting of yachts moored on the seafront at Monte Carlo with white buildings against blue mountains and a blue sky with fluffy white clouds.

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NorthLan Heritage @nlheritage.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

Our Doors Open Days tour of the Industrial History Store on 12 September is now sold out but we still have places on the canal walk at 2pm www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/doors-open...

eventbrite.co.uk

Doors Open Day- Guided Canal Walk

Explore the history of the Gartsherrie Branch of the Monkland Canal, now a Scheduled Monument, with the Industrial History Curator.

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NorthLan Heritage @nlheritage.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

For today's dog-themed #OnlineArtExchange here is a portrait of one of Lanarkshire's wealthy families, the Rankins of Airdrie This is a hunting party complete with dogs, possibly on the Auchengray estate & was painted by Airdrie artist John Levack in 1853 artuk.org/discover/art...

A Victorian hunting party consisting of six men, one woman and four children with two horses and tow dogs. One older man is seated. They are on open moorland under a dramatic sky. Picnic hampers lie on the ground at bottom left. At least two of the men hold rifles.

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NorthLan Heritage @nlheritage.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

On Saturday 12 September join a curator at Summerlee Museum for a store tour & a guided walk along the route of the Summerlee branch of the Monkland Canal The tours, which are part of the #DoorsOpenDays festival are free but please book ahead, details here www.doorsopendays.org.uk/regions/nort...

A view from high up through the gates of an open air museum with a large, two storey exhibition hall in the distance and people walking towards it. In the top foreground, at the top of the gate is a cut metal sign reading, 'SUMMERLEE'.

A photograph from the early 1900s showing an industrial scene. In the foreground a shallow stream and a canal lead to an ironworks with several chimneys and steam rising from within the works.

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NorthLan Heritage @nlheritage.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

New on our museum collections website we tell the story of one of North Lanarkshire's most curious monuments, & the only Roman altar still outdoors in Scotland, the Carrick Stone www.northlanmuseums.co.uk/story/the-ca... #Romans #ScottishHistory #Cumbernauld

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Museums Galleries Scotland @museumsgalleriesscotland.org.uk · 20/08/2026

🛠️Our repair and adaptation fund is open for applications! Accredited museums can apply for up to £100k to make urgent repairs or changes to their building. Recent awardees include Scottish Fisheries Museum (pictured) who received £91k to replace the roof of their oldest building. 🔗 bit.ly/3UIGBbL

A birds eye view of a grey tiled roof under construction. There is a person in a hi-vis jacket fitting tiles to the roof.

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NorthLan Heritage @nlheritage.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

The theme of today's @artukdotorg.bsky.social #OnlineArtExchange is holidays! We can't imagine a more summery picture than 'Glasgow Boy' Edward Hornel's 'The Buttercup Chain', which is in our collection

A painting of three yound girls in dresses and with early 1900s haircuts playing in a meadow with a lake and trees beyond. One girl is putting a chain of buttercups around the head of another.

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NorthLan Heritage @nlheritage.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

Next month marks the 67th anniversary of the #Auchengeich Colliery Disaster. 47 miners were suffocated following an underground fire To mark the anniversary Summerlee Museum is displaying a collection of items relating to Auchengeich Colliery & the 1959 disaster lent by Harry & Michelle Lycett-Nutt

A large glass museum display case containing a display of objects including a commemorative plate and a shovel and a variety of documents.

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NorthLan Heritage @nlheritage.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

Join us for our relaxed and friendly Introduction to Family History course this September 📅every Thu, 3-24 September 2026 ⏲️10-11.30am 📍NL Heritage Centre, High Road, Motherwell, ML1 3HU 💰£22 (including refreshments) to book email heritagecentre@northlan.gov.uk

static.klipy.com

Penguin Family Tree Illustration

ALT: Penguin Family Tree Illustration

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Museums Galleries Scotland @museumsgalleriesscotland.org.uk · 31/07/2026

✍Expressions of interest are now open for our Repair and Adaptation Fund! The fund supports museums to undertake essential repairs and conservation work, while also helping them reduce their environmental impact and improve accessibility. 🔗Find out more: buff.ly/IpYrjo6

Three large lighthouse lenses on display in a room with white walls and a blue floor. The glass bands of the lenses shine with white, yellow, and green light.

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EcoMuseum of Scottish Mining Landscapes @mininglandscapes.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

Want to be able to upload your own landscape journey to the #Mininglandscapes #Eco-Museum? Our new admin wizard is now live. Why not join up for a free training sessions? Sessions will start from Sept 2026 and will run monthly until April 2027. Email Aileen mining-landscapes@stir.ac.uk

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NorthLan Heritage @nlheritage.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

#OnThisDay in 1770 two of the greatest engineers of the industrial age, & soon to be rivals, James Watt & John Smeaton met beside the Monkland Canal www.northlanmuseums.co.uk/story/a-famo...

Colourised picture postcard titled 'No.6 Bridge, Monkland, near Coatbridge'. It shows a wooden bridge across the Monkland Canal at Drumpellier estate. The bridge has a wooden doorway on it to control access to the estate.

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Scottish Transport & Industrial Collections & Knowledge Network @sticknetwork.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

The call for papers for our autumn conference closes on Friday The event in Stirling on 13 November celebrates Scotland’s #Railway200 Email stickssn@gmail.com with your proposal or if you have any questions - don’t miss the train!

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NorthLan Heritage @nlheritage.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

New on our website is this story by digital collections volunteer Lauren Hood looking at the history of laundry work www.northlanmuseums.co.uk/story/doing-...

A colourised picture postcard of two women doing laundry outdoors. One is bending over a washing tub containing fabric while the other stands in the tub.

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NorthLan Heritage @nlheritage.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

#OnThisDay in 1770 navvies cut the 1st sod to make the Monkland Canal, under the supervision of steam engine pioneer James Watt Most of the canal is now buried beneath the M8 motorway but stretches still remain around Coatbridge & Calderbank www.northlanmuseums.co.uk/story/the-mo... 1/2

A picture postcard view of malleable ironworks in Coatbridge around 1900, seen from across the narrow waterway of the Monkland Canal. Much scrap iron lies in piles on the far bank and beyond are low open sheds and multiple chimneys. This section of the canal was supervised by James Watt in the early 1770s.

A modern day view of roughly the same location, at the top of Coatbank Street in Coatbridge. We are looking down on a dual carriageway. There are grass and trees on the sides and Coats Parish Church is visible on the horizon. Three seagulls circle above.

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NorthLan Heritage @nlheritage.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

Today's #OnlineArtExchange is about 'Machines' Here's a steam hammer, invention of Scottish engineer & artist James Nasmyth This unattributed watercolour from around 1920 shows a hammer at work in the Waverley Iron & Steel Works, Coatbridge artuk.org/discover/art... @artukdotorg.bsky.social

Two men work at a large steam hammer in an ironworks. The hammer is supported by a heavy metal arched structure. The interior is gloomy with a low roof but is illuminated by the red glow from a piece of iron which is being struck by the hammer.

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Scottish Transport & Industrial Collections & Knowledge Network @sticknetwork.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

Next week’s #OnlineArtExchange is one after our own heart: ’Machines’ We can’t wait to see what machine- related artwork our followers post on Thursday. Don’t forget to tag us & @artukdotorg.bsky.social in!

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NorthLan Heritage @nlheritage.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

We often publish stories on our website about great North Lanarkshire engineering companies of the past This time we tell the story of a thriving modern business based in one of our most historic factories, Cairnhill Structures of the Sun Works #Coatbridge www.northlanmuseums.co.uk/story/engine...

A view inside a large engineering works with a high ceiling and large windows down one side. In the foreground large steel objects lie on pallets.

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NorthLan Heritage @nlheritage.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

The theme of this week's @artukdotorg.bsky.social #OnlineArtExchange is discovery Daniel Macnee's portrait of William Cameron, Underground Manager for Scottish ironmasters William Baird & Co shows him with the surveying tools he used to prospect for coal & ironstone artuk.org/discover/art...

A Victorian oil painting showing a middle aged man in a brown overcoat and dark suit, standing in an industrial environment with the flames and smoking chimneys of Gartsherrie Iron Works behind him. He holds a can in his left hand and at his feet are a theodolite on a tripod and a surveyor's chain.

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NorthLan Heritage @nlheritage.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

135 years ago this month, Airdrieonians FC were on the receiving end of the 1st ever penalty kick at their Mavisbank Park ground only 4 days after penalties had been added to the rulebook www.northlanmuseums.co.uk/story/more-t... Scorer was James McLuggage of Larkhall side Royal Albert who won 2-0

A screenshot of Google Streetview showing Mavisbank Park, where Airdrieonians hosted the first penalty kick.

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Scottish Transport & Industrial Collections & Knowledge Network @sticknetwork.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

Call for Papers! Our autumn conference will celebrate Scotland’s #Railway200 We are taking a broad approach to the subject &, as ever welcome proposals for short talks from anyone with an interest in Scotland’s transport & industrial history. Email stickssn@gmail.com

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NorthLan Heritage @nlheritage.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

This is a timely question from @oneplacestudies.bsky.social as we have recently published a blog post about Scotland's 1st modern railway, the Monkland & Kirkintilloch, on its bicentenary www.northlanmuseums.co.uk/story/the-mo... #Railway200

northlanmuseums.co.uk

The Monkland & Kirkintilloch Railway – CultureNL Museums

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Jillian @bookworm17.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

Having spent a few years living in Kildrum, I would walk my then dog around Cumbernauld Park, which hosts the house where this wonderful lady was born. What photographs she produced, truly magical.

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NorthLan Heritage @nlheritage.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

Volunteer with us! If you have an interest in North Lanarkshire's heritage there are various ways you can help. It's a great way to meet new people and learn new skills - or share old ones! www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/your-communi...

A photo of a free-standing blackboard inside Summerlee Museum, headed 'Volunteer in the Museum' and listing some of the activities that we do. You can find all the roles we are currently recruiting for at the link in the main text. Any questions just drop us a reply.

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NorthLan Heritage @nlheritage.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

Launched #OnThisDay in 1819 the Vulcan, Scotland's 1st iron boat & the world's 1st iron passenger vessel A replica built for the 1988 Glasgow Garden Festival is being refurbished at Summerlee Museum www.northlanmuseums.co.uk/story/the-ir... @dreadships.bsky.social @scotmaritimemuseum.bsky.social

A large replica (in steel) of a Victorian era iron boat painted black, red and white. The boat sits on a cradle above the Gartsherrie Branch of the Monkland Canal at Summerlee Museum, Coatbridge.

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NorthLan Heritage @nlheritage.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

Our museum collections website has a new url - find us at northlanmuseums.co.uk

Screenshot of part of a website home page, headed 'Museums Collections' and with pictures of printing blocks, a street and map, and more.

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NorthLan Heritage @nlheritage.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

There is still time to apply to be our new Tramway & Historic Engineering Technician, based at Summerlee Museum Closing date is this Tuesday, 28 April myjobscotland.gov.uk/councils/nor...

An open-topped, double-decker tramcar painted in green and cream with a red bogie. This is 53, the only surviving tram from the Lanarkshire Tramways Co which shut down in 1931.

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NorthLan Heritage @nlheritage.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

#OnThisDay in 1796 William Baird was born into a Lanarkshrie farming family. By the age of 20 he had become a coalmaster. He & his brothers established Scotland's biggest pig iron producer, William Baird & Co www.northlanmuseums.co.uk/story/the-ba...

An engraving of William Baird, a middle aged man with sideburns and receding hair, standing and holding a folded document in his left hand.

A photograph from about 1875 showing the 'Old Side' furnaces as Gartsherrie Iron Works, Coatbridge. A row of different shaped and sized cylindrical structures stand in a row along with several tall industrial chimneys, some of which are smoking. At centre-right is a large, pyramidal furnace which was the Bairds' first blast furnace, built in 1830.

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NorthLan Heritage @nlheritage.bsky.social · 13/04/2026

PSA: THE SWANS ARE BACK AT SUMMERLEE!

A swan standing on a bank of a branch of the Monkland Canal in Summerlee Museum, Coatbridge. Trees and the boathouse are visible in the background.

Another view of a swan by the canal branch at Summerlee Museum.

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NorthLan Heritage @nlheritage.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

This week's @artukdotorg.bsky.social #OnlineArtExchange is all about books In case you thought audiobooks were new, 'Reading Aloud' was painted by Airdrie artist John Levack (1823-1874) artuk.org/discover/art...

An oil painting of a serious young girl on the left reading to an elderly man with bald head and long grey hair. He is cupping his ear with his right hand.

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NorthLan Heritage @nlheritage.bsky.social · 27/02/2026

Engagement Officer Janiece Ndoye discusses her work with a team of Community Researchers from diverse backgrounds to explore & interpret the colonial links of objects at Summerlee Museum www.culturenlmuseums.co.uk/blog/decolon... Funded by @museumsgalleriesscotland.org.uk & @northlanarkshire.gov.uk

A group of people stand around an interpretation panel in a museum exhibition hall.

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UK Archive Sector Leadership @uknatarcsector.bsky.social · 16/02/2026

Check out our updated slate of free online events with spaces still available! Upcoming events cover data migration, records of traumatic histories, manorial records, heritage science and more: www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/archives-sec... Book now to avoid disappointment!

A woman removes a cardboard box from a long set of shelves in a strong room.

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NorthLan Heritage @nlheritage.bsky.social · 16/02/2026

We are enjoying the #WinterOlympics #curling but can't help feeling the players could work on their attire after seeing this painting by John Levack It shows a curling match near #Airdrie in 1857. Spot the coal mines that partly funded the players' wealth www.culturenlmuseums.co.uk/SIModes/Deta...

A large crowd of people standing on a frozen curling pond watching players in action. In the foreground a picnic is laid out and a dog has to be restrained from chasing a curling stone.

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UK Archive Sector Leadership @uknatarcsector.bsky.social · 12/02/2026

Keen to share your thoughts on our 3-year digital capacity building strategy? We’ve commissioned consultant Simon Wilson to run an independent series of focus group discussions on Our Digital Century and Novice to Know-How! Find out more and sign up for a session: simonpwilson.com/client-area/...

Two young people sit at a computer monitor watching something on the screen. Both people have their phones and notepad in front of them.

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NorthLan Heritage @nlheritage.bsky.social · 13/02/2026

There is still time to apply to be our new Site Supervisor for North Lanarkshire Council Museums! Closing date is this Tuesday, 17 February

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Museums Association @museumsassociation.org · 09/02/2026

Two weeks to go | Make a proposal for a session at this year's conference 📢 Ahead of MA Conference 2026: Museums Connecting Communities, we’re looking for proposals for bold, innovative sessions that bring us together to find solutions to the critical issues of the day. Got an idea? Submit now 👇

museumsassociation.org

Propose a session for Conference 2026 - Museums Association

We’re seeking proposals for bold, innovative sessions that bring us together to find solutions to the critical issues of the day

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Scottish Transport & Industrial Collections & Knowledge Network @sticknetwork.bsky.social · 10/02/2026

North Lanarkshire Council Museums are looking for a full-time Site Supervisor The post is based at Summerlee Museum in Coatbridge, closing date is 17 February

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NorthLan Heritage @nlheritage.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

New on our museum collections website is a 1st hand account of the operation to rescue 135 miners trapped underground following the 1950 Knockshinnoch Colliery Disaster It was written by James Lillie of the Coatbridge Mines Rescue Brigade www.culturenlmuseums.co.uk/story/rescue...

A photograph of a training exercise in a mock-up mine at Coatbridge Mines Rescue. 5 men in miner's gear with helmets and breathing apparatus tend to an unconscious man on the ground.

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