Lanark

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Town in South Lanarkshire, Scotland

title: "Lanark" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["lanark", "towns-in-south-lanarkshire", "parishes-in-lanarkshire", "county-towns-in-scotland", "royal-burghs"] description: "Town in South Lanarkshire, Scotland" topic_path: "geography/united-kingdom" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lanark" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Town in South Lanarkshire, Scotland ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox UK place"]

FieldValue
official_nameLanark
gaelic_nameLannraig
scots_nameLanrik
countryScotland
static_image_nameHigh Street, Lanark (2006).jpg
static_image_captionLanark High Street, August 2006
static_image_2_nameCoat of Arms of Lanark.png
static_image_2_width130px
static_image_2_captionCoat of Arms of the Royal Burgh of Lanark
population
population_ref()
os_grid_referenceNS8843
coordinates
post_townLANARK
postcode_areaML
postcode_districtML11
dial_code01555
constituency_westminsterLanark and Hamilton East
london_distance325 mi
edinburgh_distance29+1/2 mi
unitary_scotlandSouth Lanarkshire
lieutenancy_scotlandLanarkshire
constituency_scottish_parliamentClydesdale
::

| official_name = Lanark | gaelic_name = Lannraig | scots_name = Lanrik | country = Scotland | static_image_name = High Street, Lanark (2006).jpg | static_image_caption = Lanark High Street, August 2006 |static_image_2_name = Coat of Arms of Lanark.png |static_image_2_width = 130px |static_image_2_caption = Coat of Arms of the Royal Burgh of Lanark | population = | population_ref = () | os_grid_reference = NS8843 | coordinates = |historic_county= |post_town = LANARK | postcode_area = ML | postcode_district = ML11 | dial_code = 01555 | constituency_westminster = Lanark and Hamilton East | london_distance = 325 mi | edinburgh_distance = 29+1/2 mi | unitary_scotland = South Lanarkshire | lieutenancy_scotland = Lanarkshire | constituency_scottish_parliament = Clydesdale Lanark ( ; ; ) 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 2020, the town had a population of 8,880.

Lanark was a royal burgh from 1140 to 1975, 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

Medieval period

The town's name is believed to come from the Brythonic Lanerc meaning "clear space, glade".

In May 1297, the action at Lanark is said to have seen William Wallace, later a prominent figure in the First War of Scottish Independence, joining the uprisings taking place across Scotland with an attack on the English Sheriff of Lanark, William de Heselrig, killing the sheriff and many of his men.

16th–19th centuries

Lanark originally had four town gates, West Port, East Port, Wellgate and Castlegate. West Port gate was demolished in the 1770s. Later toll gates were constructed at Cartland Bridge and Lanark Racecourse around 1820. These were relocated to the former site of Lanark Auction Market following the abolition of tolls in 1883, with the Cartland Bridge toll gates still present and protected as a listed building.

Early 20th century

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 yd 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 mi. The meeting was described by The Aero magazine as 'the most successful yet held in Britain'.

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

Modern period

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/66/Duncancarter-campbell&queenelizabeth.jpg" caption="url-status=live}}"] ::

Governance

Local government

Lanark is within the South Lanarkshire unitary authority area. In local elections, they are part of the Clydesdale North ward which elects three councillors. Following the 2022 election, Clydesdale North is represented by Richard Eliott-Lockhart of the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Julia Marrs of the Scottish National Party, and Catherine McClymont of Scottish Labour.

Scottish Parliament

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.

Parliament of the United Kingdom

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.

Landmarks

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/10/Provost's_Lamp,_Lanark.jpg" caption="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

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

The Lanark Museum 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, 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, 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.

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.

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fa/lanark07.jpg" caption="[[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.

Lanimers

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ac/lanark04.jpg" caption="[[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 on the Friday night, where children perform songs and dances.

Notable people

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. 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.

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cc/Colin_Mcrae_crop.jpg" caption="Colin McRae (1968–2007), a British and World Rally Champion from Lanark]]Other notable figures from Lanark include:"] ::

Gallery

Image:lanark00.jpg|Town centre Image:High Street, Lanark (2006).jpg|High Street Image:lanark06.jpg|Wellgate Image:The Girnin Dug, Lanark.jpg|The "Girnin Dug" statue of a dog erected as a reproach to a neighbour suspected of poisoning the pet

References

  • 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.

References

  1. {{Scottish settlement population citation
  2. "Ainmean-Àite na h-Alba (AÀA) – Gaelic Place-names of Scotland".
  3. "Scotslanguage.com - Names in Scots - Places in Scotland".
  4. (1990). "The Dictionary of Scottish Place Names". Lochar Publishing.
  5. (1986). "Scottish Place-Names: Their Study and Significance". B T Batsford.
  6. "The Story of William Wallace".
  7. "The Struggle". [[Scran]].
  8. (1998). "Old Lanark". Stenlake Publishing.
  9. "Cartland Toll Gates".
  10. "Hyndford Road, Gates, Gatepiers and Railings at Auction Room and Cattle Market (LB37024)".
  11. (2014). "Scotland's Aviation History". Stenlake Publishing.
  12. "Hyndford Road at A70, Winston Barracks, Sergeants' Mess (LB46982)".
  13. (27 January 2021). "Remember when ... 1953: A regal wave from our new Queen". Herald & Times Group.
  14. "Electoral Ward: Clydesdale North". Scottish Government.
  15. (6 May 2022). "Declaration of Results: Ward 2 - Clydesdale North".
  16. lanarktrust.co.uk
  17. "New Lanark World Heritage Site and Visitor Attraction Lanarkshire near Edinburgh and Glasgow Scotland".
  18. (18 January 2010). "Falls of Clyde - Scottish Wildlife Trust".
  19. "Lanark Museum and the Royal Burgh of Lanark Museum Trust".
  20. Clarke, John. (1952). "The Roman occupation of south-western Scotland: being reports of excavations and surveys carried out under the auspices of the Glasgow Archaeological Society". R. MacLehose.
  21. "Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973". Legislation.gov.uk.
  22. "The Provost's Lamp". Discover Lanark.
  23. "South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture".
  24. "William Wallace". BBC History.
  25. Wallace, Andy. "Wallace in Lanark". The William Wallace Heritage Trust Lanark.
  26. "Lanark from kings to {{sic". South Lanarkshire Council.
  27. (20 February 2014). "William Smellie, Man-Midwife". [[Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow]].
  28. (31 May 2013). "Robert Macqueen, Lord Braxfield (1722-1799)". Scottish Government.
  29. (19 November 2018). "The life and times of Robert McQueen – the real Weir of Hermiston". Herald & Times Group.
  30. "Margaret Agnes Bunn".
  31. (1936). "Latter-Day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia". Andrew Jenson Memorial Association.
  32. (2 March 2024). "Forgotten Scottish hero who saved Westminster Hall from destruction". [[The Times]].
  33. (27 September 2018). "THOSE WERE THE DAYS - 1967: Judith Hart, 'an influential figure in Scottish politics'". Herald & Times Group.
  34. "Cameron, Colin, b 1933 (Scottish lawyer and politician)". University of Edinburgh.
  35. (31 May 2019). "Motorsport's Jimmy McRae has mud, sweat and tears".
  36. (1 March 2024). "HOW THE MCRAES DOMINATED THE BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIP". [[DirtFish]].
  37. (17 September 2007). "Obituary: Colin McRae". Independent News & Media.
  38. (17 September 2007). "Colin McRae". [[The Guardian]].
  39. (21 February 1998). "Rallying: McRae's relative success is the spur for elusive British driver's championship". Independent Digital News & Media.
  40. "Discover Lanark".

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lanarktowns-in-south-lanarkshireparishes-in-lanarkshirecounty-towns-in-scotlandroyal-burghs