On Friday we visited the Summerlee Museum of Scottish Industrial Life in Coatbridge.

We learned about the history of Monkland, and Coatbridge.

We learned that Monkland was founded by the monks of Newbattle Abbey.  The monks were the first to mine the local coal.

We learned that monklands canal was later used to transport coal to Glasgow.

We learned that the development of local ironworks allowed the use of rich local deposts of iron ore.

Coalmining and ironworking became central to the community of the growing town of Coatbridge.

The miners cottages.