A RARE late Victorian printing press has been brought back to life in time for the 160th anniversary of Britain’s oldest working commercial letterpress.

Robert Smail’s Printing Works opened in Innerleithen in 1866, producing local newspapers and stationary until National Trust for Scotland (NTS) took control in 1986, continuing to run its six presses.

Ten years ago however its 1908 Falcon Safety Platen Press stopped for restoration, a process now completed with the help of the Leather Conservation Centre in Leicester which repaired a hole in the bellows and 3D product designer James Barr who created new rubber suckers for the machine.

Celebrating the return of the press, thought to be the only one of its kind in operation, NTS visitor service supervisor Ylva Dahnsjo said: “Printing offers a level of authenticity that is disappearing rapidly from modern media. 

“The increasing prevalence and accessibility of generative AI calls into question the origin and veracity of everything.

“The pieces that pass through our inky presses are a tangible reminder of past times and treasured by those who love the handmade and unusual.”