Lanark
This article describes the town in Scotland. For other references, see Lanark (disambiguation).Lanark is a small town in the
central belt of
Scotland, the county town of the former county of
Lanarkshire. It has a long history, old traditions, and many fine parks and buildings.
Historically, Lanark has served as an important market town since medieval times, and King
David I made it a
Royal Burgh in
1140, giving it certain mercantile privileges relating to
government and
taxation.
This historic background forms the basis for the
Lanimer (Gala day) celebrations, which take place each year for one week in June. Local schoolchildren elect a
Lanimer Queen and court; and a
Lord Cornet is chosen from local businessmen. On the Monday night, the
Walking of the Marches takes place, where the whole town turns out to walk around half the town boundary, inspecting the border-stones. The other half of the boundary is inspected on the Wednesday night by many local riders who participate in the
Riding of the Marches. On the Thursday morning, schools and other organisations parade before the Lanimer Queen in fancy dress, accompanied by
pipe bands. The best floats win prizes, and after the parade the crowning of the Queen takes place. The Queen holds a reception party on the Thursday and Friday nights, where the children perform songs and dances, and earn themselves a
disco at the end of the night.
Lanark's local hero
William Wallace "first drew sword to free his native land" in Lanark in
1297, when he killed the English
sheriff Haselrig. A statue of Wallace stands at St Nicholas' Church at the foot of the High Street, and a plaque commemorates his exploits. A pub bears the name of the "Wallace Cave".
Lanark has produced the rallying family of
Jimmy,
Alistair and
Colin McRae.
One of the other churches in the town bears the name of St Kentigern (perhaps better known as
St Mungo), who set up many medieval churches in the
Scottish Lowlands, including
Glasgow, and died in c
612 AD. The town's cemetery stands on the site of the old St Kentigern's kirk, and includes many
Covenanter graves.
Visitors to the town can visit the nearby model village of
New Lanark, close to the spectacular
Falls of Clyde, and
Corehouse Nature Reserve. A large boating lake,
Lanark Loch, adjoins a golf course and a racecourse, the latter offering pony-trekking activities. The town's
Castlebank Park lies near the former site of Lanark Castle, and allows access to the
River Clyde, including the conservation village of
New Lanark.
*
Lanark and Hamilton East (UK Parliament constituency)*
Lanark County in Ontario, Canada
*
Lanark, Ontario a village in
Lanark County*
Lanark Lanimers*
Lanark Grammar School
