Lanark
Lanark
| |
---|---|
Location within South Lanarkshire | |
Population | 8,880 (mid-2020 est.)[1] |
OS grid reference | NS8843 |
• Edinburgh | 29+1⁄2 miles (47.5 km) |
• London | 325 miles (523 km) |
Council area | |
Lieutenancy area | |
Country | Scotland |
Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
Post town | LANARK |
Postcode district | ML11 |
Dialling code | 01555 |
Police | Scotland |
Fire | Scottish |
Ambulance | Scottish |
UK Parliament | |
Scottish Parliament | |
Lanark (
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 coach station 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
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
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
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
The citizens of Lanark form part of various different constituencies. In local elections, they are the main component of the
Landmarks
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
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
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. 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
This historic background forms the basis for the
Music
The 'Music in Lanark' programme began in 2000 with the aim of bringing a variety of the highest quality live music to the town. In the first five years there were three classical concerts, one jazz concert and one traditional (Scottish) music concert. The programme continues to grow.
Climate
As with the rest of the
Climate data for Carnwath 208 m asl, 1971–2000, extremes 1960– (Weather station 6 miles (10 km) to the East of Lanark) | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °C (°F) | 12.2 (54.0) |
13.5 (56.3) |
18.9 (66.0) |
25.8 (78.4) |
26.2 (79.2) |
30.1 (86.2) |
29.4 (84.9) |
29.8 (85.6) |
27.0 (80.6) |
21.7 (71.1) |
17.2 (63.0) |
13.0 (55.4) |
30.1 (86.2) |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 4.8 (40.6) |
5.5 (41.9) |
7.7 (45.9) |
10.6 (51.1) |
14.2 (57.6) |
16.4 (61.5) |
18.5 (65.3) |
18.0 (64.4) |
14.9 (58.8) |
11.4 (52.5) |
7.4 (45.3) |
5.5 (41.9) |
11.2 (52.2) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | −1.5 (29.3) |
−1.1 (30.0) |
0.3 (32.5) |
1.3 (34.3) |
3.7 (38.7) |
6.6 (43.9) |
8.6 (47.5) |
8.3 (46.9) |
6.3 (43.3) |
3.8 (38.8) |
0.3 (32.5) |
−1.1 (30.0) |
4.7 (40.5) |
Record low °C (°F) | −24.8 (−12.6) |
−21.2 (−6.2) |
−19.7 (−3.5) |
−9 (16) |
−7.6 (18.3) |
−3.8 (25.2) |
−1.2 (29.8) |
−2.2 (28.0) |
−5.5 (22.1) |
−9.9 (14.2) |
−14.6 (5.7) |
−20.0 (−4.0) |
−24.8 (−12.6) |
Average precipitation mm (inches) | 83.77 (3.30) |
60.89 (2.40) |
70.58 (2.78) |
48.33 (1.90) |
48.21 (1.90) |
59.45 (2.34) |
64.16 (2.53) |
72.94 (2.87) |
81.07 (3.19) |
87.07 (3.43) |
84.85 (3.34) |
88.54 (3.49) |
849.86 (33.47) |
Source: Royal Dutch Meteorological Institute/KNMI[19]
|
Notable Lanarkians
This section needs additional citations for verification. (August 2014) |
Other important figures in Lanark history include:
- Margaret Agnes Bunn, actress (1799–1883)[24]
- William Smellie (1697–1763), obstetrician[25]
- Lord Braxfield (1722–1799), High Court Judge
- forensic scientist
- The rallying family of Jimmy, Alister and Colin McRae
- Robert (Rab) Douglas, Scotland and former Celtic F.C. goalkeeper,
- Stephen McManus, Scotland and former Celtic F.C. defender
- Walter Smith, Scotland and Rangers manager
- Henry Smith, Scotland and Heartsgoalkeeper
- Billy Ritchie Rock music's first lead keyboard player, born in Lanark
- Lee Miller, Carlisle United striker
- Dougie Imrie, St Mirren midfielder, started career with Lanark United
- Stephen Pearson, Derby County midfielder, formerly of Motherwell
- Johnny Reid, a Scottish/Canadian country music singer, who has two platinum albums and one gold album in Canada
- Darren Smith, former Motherwellwinger
- Stewart Greacen (born 1988), footballer on Rangers F.C.
- John Downie, (1925–2013) Inside forward for Manchester United 1949–1953
- Chic McSherry, entrepreneur, musician and author was born in Lanark
- Blair Atholl International Scout Jamborette
- Derek Palmer Jr., racing driver
Schools
Primary schools
There are three main primary schools in Lanark:
- Lanark Primary School (LPS) 1
- Robert Owen Memorial Primary School (ROMPS) 1
- St. Mary's Primary School 2
1 Indicates non-denominational school
2 Roman Catholic school
Secondary schools
There is now one secondary school in Lanark:
- Lanark Grammar School (LGS), a non-denominational school. A papal bull founded a school in Lanark in 1183. There has been continuous provision of schooling in Lanark since that date. Lanark Grammar School has been considered the successor school, being the only secondary school in the town.
Religion
The religious buildings of Lanark are exclusively Christian, but cover a wide array of Christian denominations. At present, the following religious buildings still exist and remain in use:
- Christ Church
- EU Congregational Church
- Gospel Hall
- Greyfriars Parish Church
- Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses
- St Mary's Roman Catholic Church
- St Nicholas Parish Church
The following buildings remain in Lanark, but are no longer used for religious purposes:
- Murray Chapel - in a state of disrepair, this church is within the council's St Catherine cemetery.
- St Kentigern's Church (Hope Street) - converted to and now used as office space and residences.
- St Kentigern's Church (Hyndford Road) - now in ruins, this church sits in the council-run St Kentigern's cemetery.
Finally, these buildings no longer exist:
- St Leonard's Church - space now occupied by Job Centre Plus Office.
Gallery
-
Town centre
-
High Street
-
Wellgate
-
The "Girnin Dug" statue of a dog erected as a reproach to a neighbour suspected of poisoning the pet[26]
See also
- Lanark (Parliament of Scotland constituency)
- The Lanark Silver Bell, a horseracing trophy
- Lanark Countyin Ontario, Canada
- Lanark, Ontario, a village in Lanark County
- Lanark Grammar School
- Bonnington Pavilion, a nearby historic feature.
- Whuppity Scoorie Day
- Lanark Lanimers
References
- ^ "Mid-2020 Population Estimates for Settlements and Localities in Scotland". National Records of Scotland. 31 March 2022. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Scotslanguage.com - Names in Scots - Places in Scotland". scotslanguage.com. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
- ^ Scottish place names, W. F. H. Nicolaisen, p.164, 172, London, 1976
- ISBN 1840330198
- ISBN 9781840336535
- ^ Historic Environment Scotland. "Hyndford Road at A70, Winston Barracks, Sergeants' Mess (Category B Listed Building) (LB46982)". Retrieved 21 March 2019.
- ^ "Election results - all wards declared". South Lanarkshire Council. 4 May 2012. Archived from the original on 4 December 2014. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
- ^ lanarktrust.co.uk
- ^ "New Lanark World Heritage Site and Visitor Attraction Lanarkshire near Edinburgh and Glasgow Scotland". www.newlanark.org. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
- ^ "Falls of Clyde - Scottish Wildlife Trust". scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk. 18 January 2010. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
- ^ "Lanark Museum and the Royal Burgh of Lanark Museum Trust". lanarkmuseum.org. Archived from the original on 2 February 2021. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973". Legislation.gov.uk. Retrieved 1 January 2023.
- ^ "The Provost's Lamp". Discover Lanark. Retrieved 1 January 2023.
- ^ "South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture".
- KNMI.
- KNMI.
- KNMI. Retrieved 4 November 2011.
- ^ "William Wallace". Wars of Independence. BBC History. Retrieved 1 October 2011.
- ^ Wallace, Andy. "Wallace in Lanark". The William Wallace Heritage Trust Lanark. Archived from the original on 30 September 2011. Retrieved 1 October 2011.
- ^ "Lanark Grammar School website". South Lanarkshire Council. Archived from the original on 18 January 2008. Retrieved 1 October 2011.
- ^ "Lanark from kings to convenanters [sic]". Local History and Heritage. South Lanarkshire Council. Retrieved 1 October 2011.
- ^ "Margaret Agnes Bunn from The Gazetteer for Scotland". www.scottish-places.info. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
- ^ "William Smellie | Scottish physician". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
- ^ "Discover Lanark".
- 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
- Media related to Lanark at Wikimedia Commons