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Lanark

Coordinates: 55°40′30″N 3°46′37″W / 55.674903°N 3.777019°W / 55.674903; -3.777019
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about the town in Scotland. For other uses, see Lanark (disambiguation).

Lanark
Lanark High Street, August 2006
Coat of Arms of the Royal Burgh of Lanark
Lanark is located in South Lanarkshire
Lanark
Lanark
Location within South Lanarkshire
Population8,880 (2020)[1]
OS grid referenceNS8843
• Edinburgh29+1⁄2 miles (47.5 km)
• London325 miles (523 km)
Council area
Lieutenancy area
CountryScotland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townLANARK
Postcode districtML11
Dialling code01555
PoliceScotland
FireScottish
AmbulanceScottish
UK Parliament
Scottish Parliament
List of places
UK
Scotland
55°40′30″N 3°46′37″W / 55.674903°N 3.777019°W / 55.674903; -3.777019

Lanark (/ˈlænərk/ LAN-ərk; Scottish Gaelic: Lannraig[2] [ˈl̪ˠaun̪ˠɾɪkʲ]; Scots: Lanrik[3]) is a town in South Lanarkshire, Scotland, located 20 kilometres to the south-east of Hamilton. The town lies on the River Clyde, at its confluence with Mouse Water. In 2016, the town had a population of 9,050.

Lanark has been a royal burgh since 1140, and was historically the county town of Lanarkshire, though in modern times this title belongs to Hamilton. Notable landmarks nearby include New Lanark, the Corra Linn and the site of Lanark Castle.

Lanark railway station and bus interchange have frequent services to Glasgow. There is little industry in Lanark and some residents commute to work in Glasgow and Edinburgh. Its shops serve the local agricultural community and surrounding villages. There is a large modern livestock auction market on the outskirts of the town.

History[edit]

The town's name is believed to come from the Cumbric Lanerc meaning "clear space, glade".[4]

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. David I realised that greater prosperity could result from encouraging trade. He decided to create a chain of new towns across Scotland. These would be centres of Norman civilisation in a largely Celtic country, and would be established in such a way as to encourage the development of trade within their area. These new towns were to be known as Burghs. Bastides were established in France for much the same reason.

When a site had been selected for a new town the King's surveyors would lay out an area for the town's market. Each merchant who came to the town was granted a plot of land (usually rent free for the first few years) bordering on the marketplace. These plots were known as feus or in royal burghs such as Lanark as burgages. Each burgage in a burgh was the same size, though the size varied between burghs. In Forres in the north of Scotland each feu was 24 feet 10 inches (7.57 m) wide and 429 feet (131 m) deep. The layout of the burgages in Lanark can still be easily seen between the north side of Lanark High Street (the former market place) and North Vennel, a lane which runs behind the burgages. A motte and bailey castle was also constructed at the bottom of Castlegate.

Lanark had four town gates, West Port, East port, Wellgate and Castlegate. West Port gate was demolished in the 1770s.[5]

The first aviation meeting to be held in Scotland was held at Lanark Racecourse between 6 and 13 August 1910. This location was chosen because the land was relatively flat, the racecourse already had facilities for a paying public, there were stables to act as hangars for the aeroplanes and the racecourse was accessible by both road and by rail, especially as The Caledonian Railway Company were prepared to construct a new station near the main entrance. The aeroplanes were transported to the meeting by rail, as aviation technology at the time was not advanced enough to safely fly there. The Lanark meeting took place shortly after a similar event in Bournemouth at which Charles Rolls died. Influenced by this, it was decided that no aircraft would fly closer than 300 yards (270 m) away from the spectators. For the first time, aeroplanes were accurately timed over a straight measured distance, allowing the first world records to be set, covering flights over 1 mile (1.6 km). The meeting was described by The Aero magazine as 'the most successful yet held in Britain'.[6]

A permanent military presence was established in the town with the completion of Winston Barracks in the 1930s.[7]

Governance[edit]

Colonel Duncan Carter-Campbell and HM Queen Elizabeth II inspecting the guard of honour of the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) during the Queen's visit to Lanark in June 1953

The citizens of Lanark form part of various different constituencies. In local elections, they are the main component of the Clydesdale North ward which elects three representatives to South Lanarkshire Council.[8] In elections to the Scottish Parliament, Lanark elects its representatives as part of the Clydesdale constituency, and also contributes to the election of seven additional list members as part of the South of Scotland region. The current Clydesdale MSP is Aileen Campbell of the SNP, who defeated the Labour incumbent Karen Gillon in the 2011 election after Gillon had held the seat since 1999. In Westminster elections, Lanark is part of the Lanark and Hamilton East constituency. Labour's Jimmy Hood represented the area in Parliament from 1987 until 2015; since then the MP has been Angela Crawley. Prior to Brexit in 2020, the town was part of the Scotland constituency which elected six MEPs to the European Parliament.

Landmarks[edit]

Gas lamp known as the "Provost's Lamp" outside Lanark Tolbooth (on the left)

There are 14 historical closes or vennels in the town - alleyways allowing access to the High street. Some are named after an original shop owner, one is named Wallace close as it depicts key moments of William Wallace's life in Lanark [9]

Visitors to the town can visit the nearby World Heritage Site of New Lanark,[10] close to the Falls of Clyde, the Corehouse estate and the Scottish Wildlife Trust's Corehouse Nature Reserve.[11]

The Lanark Museum[12] is located in West Port, inside the YMCA building.

A large boating lake, Lanark Loch, adjoins Lanark Golf Club which has a lovely and historic 18 hole course for more experienced golf players and a 9-hole golf course. The former racecourse now offers pony-trekking activities.

The town's Castlebank Park lies near the former site of Lanark Castle,[13] and allows access to the River Clyde and the Clyde Walkway.

An ornate gas lamp, known as the provost's lamp stands at the bottom of the High Street. After the burgh council was abolished in 1975,[14] the provost's lamp, which had historically been placed outside the house of the provost as one of their marks of office, was relocated to the pavement just to the east of Lanark Tolbooth on a permanent basis.[15]

One of the churches in the town bears the name of The Old Church of St Kentigern (perhaps better known as St Mungo), who set up many medieval churches in the Scottish Lowlands, including Glasgow, and died c.612 AD. The town's cemetery stands on the site of The Old Church of St Kentigern, and includes many Covenanter graves.

St. Nicholas' Church

St. Nicholas Parish Church stands at the bottom of the high street. The church bell is believed to date from 1110, and may be one of the oldest church bells in the world. It was moved from The Old Church of St Kentigern when St. Nicholas Church was built in 1774. It has been recast four times, including 1659 and 1983. There is an 8-foot (2.45 m) statue of William Wallace in the steeple. This was sculpted by Robert Forrest, from an ancient drawing in the possession of the Society of Antiquaries.

Further information: Hyndford Quarry

Lanimers[edit]

Lanark Lanimers, 2006

This historic background forms the basis for the Lanark Lanimers, which take place each year for one week in June. Local primary schoolchildren elect a Lanimers queen and court; and a Lord Cornet is chosen from local businessmen. On the Monday night the Perambulation of the Marches takes place, when townspeople turn out to walk around half the town boundary, following the Lord Cornets past and present as they inspect the border-stones. Traditionally, the townspeople carry "birks" (Scots for "sticks of birch"), which are small branches of birch trees cut from the woods at the Glenburnie estate. This tradition was started in 1948 by Joseph Doolan, whose family owned the land. The other half of the boundary is inspected on the Wednesday night, again led by the Lord Cornet accompanied by many local riders who participate in the Riding of the Marches, locally referred to as the Rideout. On the Thursday morning, schools and other organisations parade before the Lanimer Queen in themed dress, accompanied by pipe bands. The best Lanimer Lorries win prizes, and after the parade the crowning of the Queen takes place on a temporary stand erected in front of St Nicholas' Church, under the statue of William Wallace. The Queen holds a reception party in the town's Memorial Hall[16] on the Friday night, where children perform songs and dances.

Notable people[edit]

William Wallace is one of the most notable people in Lanark's history. A key leader in the Scottish Wars of Independence, he is known to have first "drawn his sword to free his native land" at Lanark in 1297, killing the English sheriff Haselrig.[17][18] An 8-foot statue of Wallace sits on St Nicholas Church at the town cross dating back to 1817 which was sculpted by Carluke-born Robert Forrest.[19]

Colin McRae (1968–2007), a British and World Rally Champion from Lanark

Other notable figures from Lanark include:

Gallery[edit]

  • Town centre
    Town centre
  • High Street
    High Street
  • Wellgate
    Wellgate
  • The "Girnin Dug" statue of a dog erected as a reproach to a neighbour suspected of poisoning the pet[33]
    The "Girnin Dug" statue of a dog erected as a reproach to a neighbour suspected of poisoning the pet[33]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Mid-2020 Population Estimates for Settlements and Localities in Scotland". National Records of Scotland. 31 March 2022. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
  2. ^ "Ainmean-Àite na h-Alba (AÀA) – Gaelic Place-names of Scotland". www.gaelicplacenames.org. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
  3. ^ "Scotslanguage.com - Names in Scots - Places in Scotland". scotslanguage.com. Archived from the original on 8 August 2017. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
  4. ^ Scottish place names, W. F. H. Nicolaisen, p.164, 172, London, 1976
  5. ^ Rhona Wilson. Old Lanark, Stenlake Publishing, 1998. ISBN 1840330198
  6. ^ Arthur W.J.G. Ord-Hume. Scotland's Aviation History, Stenlake Publishing, 2014. ISBN 9781840336535
  7. ^ Historic Environment Scotland. "Hyndford Road at A70, Winston Barracks, Sergeants' Mess (Category B Listed Building) (LB46982)". Retrieved 21 March 2019.
  8. ^ "Election results - all wards declared". South Lanarkshire Council. 4 May 2012. Archived from the original on 4 December 2014. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
  9. ^ lanarktrust.co.uk
  10. ^ "New Lanark World Heritage Site and Visitor Attraction Lanarkshire near Edinburgh and Glasgow Scotland". www.newlanark.org. Archived from the original on 23 March 2021. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
  11. ^ "Falls of Clyde - Scottish Wildlife Trust". scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk. 18 January 2010. Archived from the original on 29 January 2017. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
  12. ^ "Lanark Museum and the Royal Burgh of Lanark Museum Trust". lanarkmuseum.org. Archived from the original on 2 February 2021. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
  13. ^ Clarke, John; Glasgow Archaeological Society (1952). Miller, Steuart Napier (ed.). The Roman occupation of south-western Scotland: being reports of excavations and surveys carried out under the auspices of the Glasgow Archaeological Society. Glasgow University Publications. Vol. 83. R. MacLehose.
  14. ^ "Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973". Legislation.gov.uk. Archived from the original on 2 May 2022. Retrieved 1 January 2023.
  15. ^ "The Provost's Lamp". Discover Lanark. Archived from the original on 17 May 2022. Retrieved 1 January 2023.
  16. ^ "South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture". Archived from the original on 17 June 2019. Retrieved 17 June 2019.
  17. ^ "William Wallace". Wars of Independence. BBC History. Archived from the original on 1 October 2011. Retrieved 1 October 2011.
  18. ^ Wallace, Andy. "Wallace in Lanark". The William Wallace Heritage Trust Lanark. Archived from the original on 30 September 2011. Retrieved 1 October 2011.
  19. ^ "Lanark from kings to convenanters [sic]". Local History and Heritage. South Lanarkshire Council. Archived from the original on 31 March 2012. Retrieved 1 October 2011.
  20. ^ "William Smellie | Scottish physician". Encyclopedia Britannica. Archived from the original on 1 March 2021. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  21. ^ "Robert Macqueen, Lord Braxfield (1722-1799)". National Records of Scotland. Scottish Government. Archived from the original on 26 February 2024. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
  22. ^ Cassidy, Jane (19 November 2018). "The life and times of Robert McQueen – the real Weir of Hermiston". The National. Herald & Times Group. ISSN 2057-231X. Archived from the original on 24 June 2024. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
  23. ^ "Margaret Agnes Bunn". Gazetteer for Scotland. Archived from the original on 24 June 2024. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
  24. ^ Jenson, Andrew (1936). Latter-Day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia. Vol. IV. Salt Lake City: Andrew Jenson Memorial Association. pp. 511–512. Retrieved 25 June 2024 – via Birmingham Young University Library Digital Collection.
  25. ^ Holme, Chris (2 March 2024). "Forgotten Scottish hero who saved Westminster Hall from destruction". The Times. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
  26. ^ Leadbetter, Russell (27 September 2018). "THOSE WERE THE DAYS - 1967: Judith Hart, 'an influential figure in Scottish politics'". The Herald. Herald & Times Group. ISSN 0965-9439. Archived from the original on 25 June 2024. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
  27. ^ "Cameron, Colin, b 1933 (Scottish lawyer and politician)". University of Edinburgh Online Archives. University of Edinburgh. Archived from the original on 25 June 2024. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
  28. ^ Smith, Kenny (31 May 2019). "Motorsport's Jimmy McRae has mud, sweat and tears". Scottish Field. ISSN 0036-9209. Archived from the original on 24 June 2024. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
  29. ^ a b c Evans, David (1 March 2024). "HOW THE MCRAES DOMINATED THE BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIP". DirtFish. Archived from the original on 24 June 2024. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
  30. ^ "Obituary: Colin McRae". Belfast Telegraph. Independent News & Media. 17 September 2007. ISSN 0307-5664. Archived from the original on 24 June 2024. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
  31. ^ Peacock, Anthony (17 September 2007). "Colin McRae". The Guardian. ISSN 1756-3224. Archived from the original on 24 June 2024. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
  32. ^ "Rallying: McRae's relative success is the spur for elusive British driver's championship". The Independent. Independent Digital News & Media. 21 February 1998. ISSN 1741-9743. Archived from the original on 24 June 2024. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
  33. ^ "Discover Lanark". Archived from the original on 30 July 2017. Retrieved 29 July 2017.
  • Historical Tours in the Clyde Valley. Published by the Clyde Valley Tourist Association and the Lanark & District Archaeological Association. Printed by Robert MacLehose and Company Limited, Renfrew, Scotland. 1982.
  • Building the Royal Burghs by John Barrett and David Iredale. Published in The Scots Magazine. Volume 142, Number 1. January 1995. pp. 10–22.
  • Upper Clydesdale: A History and Guide by Daniel Martin. Published by the Tuckwell Press, Phantassie, East Linton. 1999.
  • Clydesdale District Guide. Published by Clydesdale District Guide. 1995.
  • Lanark Heritage Trail. Published by South Lanarkshire Council. 2001.

External links[edit]

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Lanark.
  • Media related to Lanark at Wikimedia Commons
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