Skip to content
Skip to the content
logo mainlogo darklogo light
  • About
  • RAVENSCRAIG STORIES – 30 YEARS ON
  • EXHIBITION
  • Journal
logo main
  • HOME
  • About
  • RAVENSCRAIG STORIES – 30 YEARS ON
  • EXHIBITION
  • Journal
Home2026March
18 March 2026
Journal

WHAT THE ARCHIVE HOLDS

The first step for any research project always begins in the archive. For The Last Foundations, that step feels especially vital. The Ravenscraig site—once one of Europe’s larg

Read More
5 March 2026
Journal

THE LAST FOUNDATIONS – HOW IT BEGAN

This was my first time at the former Ravenscraig site. I had only a vague idea of where it was, what had stood there before, and when it had closed. In truth, it felt like an entir

Read More
5 March 2026
Journal

MOTHERWELL’S CHANGING SKYLINE

Just before noon on Sunday, 7 December 2025, a familiar part of Motherwell’s skyline disappeared as three of the town’s most recognisable high-rise blocks – Allan, Coursingto

Read More

the_lastfoundations

ROM STEELWORKER TO CAREWORKER “I remember going h ROM STEELWORKER TO CAREWORKER

“I remember going home and saying to my wife, ‘That’s it, it’s gone. What are we going to do?’” he recalls. With a family to support, the uncertainty was frightening....

https://www.thelastfoundations.com/portfolio-item/steelworker-careworker/

The Last Foundations - Ravenscraig 30 Years After Demolition. A visual arts project and exhibition by Chris Leslie 
@the_lastfoundations 

Funded by the The William Grant Foundation and @creativescots , and North Lanarkshire Council Arts

Archive photo by John McKillop - courtesy of @nlheritagecentre 

#ravenscraig
THE LAST SHIFT On the final day at Ravenscraig in THE LAST SHIFT

On the final day at Ravenscraig in June 1992, Stevie Jeffrey remembers a feeling of disbelief and emotion hanging over the entire site. 

The closure had been anticipated for a long time, but nothing prepared the workforce for the emotion and finality of walking out of Ravenscraig for the last time...

https://www.thelastfoundations.com/portfolio-item/ilast-shift/

@the_lastfoundations - Ravenscraig 30 Years After Demolition

A visual arts project and exhibition by Chris Leslie 

#ravenscraig
Filming this morning on location for my new short Filming this morning on location for my new short film ‘Scars’ with former Ravenscraig worker, poet and writer Martin Brown.
 
The film will be premiered at @the_lastfoundations exhibition in September via @northlanarkshire arts

Project supported by @creativescots, NLArts , @wilfiamgrantfoundation

#ravenscraig
“This natural regeneration—slow, unplanned, and re “This natural regeneration—slow, unplanned, and resilient—embodies a cycle of destruction and renewal. It is both powerful and necessary.”

BETWEEN RECLAIMING AND RENEWAL 

The Last Foundations - Ravenscraig 30 Years After Demolition

A visual arts project by Chris Leslie

https://www.thelastfoundations.com/portfolio-item/between-reclaiming-and-renewal/
Seasons change... #ravenscraig Seasons change...

#ravenscraig
The Last Foundations - Today’s Birds Eye view… # The Last Foundations - Today’s  Birds Eye view…

#ravenscraig
THE LAST PUB STANDING.... Peter Reilly, landlord THE LAST PUB STANDING....

Peter Reilly, landlord of the King Lud pub in Craigneuk, has spent much of his life in the pub trade. Over the years, he has watched the community change dramatically since the closure of the Ravenscraig steelworks....

https://lnkd.in/e4Pwma4k
@the_lastfoundations Portraits of Ravenscraig - @the_lastfoundations 

Portraits of Ravenscraig - 30 years after Demolition

POLITICS AND MOVING ON 

Frank Roy’s journey from steelworker to Member of Parliament reflects the story of Ravenscraig itself — a place shaped by heavy industry, political struggle, and eventual transformation. 

Roy began working at the Ravenscraig steelworks at the age of nineteen. “It took me three years and sixteen applications to get in,” he recalled, demonstrating the determination shared by many young men in the area who saw the plant as a chance for stable employment and a job for life......

https://lnkd.in/eeYYJ3hx
Follow on Instagram

©2026 The Last Foundations / Chris Leslie

mm
mm
mm
mm
mm

CHRIS LESLIE

07737 370481

chris@chrisleslie.co.uk

  • fb
  • li