Story-telling, concerts, walks and a tour of one of Scotland's oldest working printworks were among the activities on offer during Industrious Innerleithen day – a celebration of the town's industrial heritage.

At the centre of events was Robert Smail's Printworks, now run by the National Trust for Scotland, where staff were in character and costume to give visitors insight into the printing trade of the 19th century.

Founded in 1866, the company was passed down through three generations of the Smail family, providing for all the town's printing needs and these days is in a unique position, being one of just a few remaining working traditional printworks and the only one managed by the trust. Customers to Robert Smail's would never have gone beyond placing their orders in the office, but by applying to take up an apprenticeship, visitors were given the chance to view the works as it would have been in Victorian times.

The trust's property manager, Gen Harrison, said: "Innerleithen has such an interesting past and Robert Smail's was an important part of that. That's why we felt it was important to get involved in this special day.

"Our Living History tours really bring the past to life to visitors. They're very popular both with visitors and the staff who enjoy getting dressed up and going back in time.

"The whole thing went really well. Support for the event was phenomenal and everyone had a smile on their face.

"Visitors came from all over and there was even a 93-year-old compositor, so it was a real step back in time for him."

The day's events kicked off at Innerleithen library where P7 pupils from St Ronan's Primary put on a Print What You Want workshop and sold products as part of a school enterprise project. There were also Victorian stories and rhymes which were especially popular with younger children.

In the afternoon, visitors were invited to explore local history at the famous St Ronan's Wells and Innerleithen Community Trust led a walk centred on the role water played in the town's industrial history, which proved popular, despite the drizzle.

The day ended with a Victorian concert in the church hall featuring local singing group Fortissimo.

Robert Smail's Printworks is open to the public from March through to October, noon-5pm, Thursday to Monday (1-5pm Sunday).