Lanark

Lanark is also the title of a novel by Alasdair Gray and a county in Ontario (Lanark County, Ontario)

Related Topics:
Lanark - Alasdair Gray - Lanark County, Ontario

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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.

Related Topics:
Central belt - Scotland - Lanarkshire

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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.

Related Topics:
David I - Royal Burgh - 1140 - Government - Taxation

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This historic background forms the basis for the Lanimer 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.

Related Topics:
Lanimer - Lanimer Queen - Lord Cornet - Walking of the Marches - Riding of the Marches - Pipe bands - Disco

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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".

Related Topics:
William Wallace - 1297 - Sheriff - Haselrig

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Lanark has produced the rallying family of Jimmy and Colin McRae.

Related Topics:
Jimmy - Colin McRae

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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 c612 AD. The town's cemetery stands on the site of the old St Kentigern's kirk, and includes many Covenanter graves.

Related Topics:
St Mungo - Scottish Lowlands - Glasgow - 612 - Covenanter

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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.

Related Topics:
New Lanark - Falls of Clyde - Corehouse Nature Reserve - Lanark Loch - Castlebank Park - River Clyde

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