Lanark

William Wallace murdered Haselrigg, the English Sheriff of Lanark at the town’s Castle in May 1297. The reason for this act is the subject of dispute. Regardless of why, this single act set Wallace on the path to his destiny; it brought him the support of much of the population, and galvanised ordinary Scots to rally to his flag.

Lanark’s name comes from its woollen industry (from the Norman French, the modern ‘laine’, meaning wool, is related to it); indeed Edward I’s tax on wool in 1296 (to finance a campaign in Flanders) inflamed local opinion and garnered Wallace much local support.  The town had a Greyfriars monastery, founded at the time of Robert the Bruce, it was located between Broomgate and Friars Lane. The site of a house reputed to have belonged to Wallace lies opposite the church of St Nicholas at the west end of the High Street (above the door of which a statue of Wallace was placed in the early 19th Century).

An interesting remnant of the period can be found in the rear of one of the properties in the High Street, from Bernards Wynd a 13th Century gothic window can be seen; this was from a stone-built house, probably owned by the monks of Dryburgh (being the best house in the Town, it is likely that Wallace resided there after his defeat of the English forces at Stirling Bridge). In the grounds of Lanark’s old cemetery are the remains of the original St Kentigern’s Church, the south wall and chancel arch are from Wallace’s time.

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Be sure and secure a copy of “The Cartland Quotations Book”

article

In an article on 08 July, 1916, the Carluke and Lanark Gazette urged all its readers to “Be sure and secure a copy of “The Cartland Quotation Book“. Few people…

Lanark Aviation Meeting

document
Year: 1910

The Lanark Airshow was the first airshow in Scotland and it was particularly special in that it was also the second British International Airshow. It attracted competitors from all over…

The story of William Wallace

document

This is a presentation about William Wallace in Lanark.

Proclamation of King George V at Lanark Cross

Proclamation of King George V

postcard
Year: 1910

A view of the proclamation of King George V at Lanark Cross in 1910. All the local dignitaries were there. The Provost of Lanark Town Council read out the proclamation.…

Julian on the Moor

“Julian” on the Moor

postcard
Year: 1918

The visit of Julian to Lanark included a visit to the area near Lanark Golf Course. This was not a particularly successful visit as the tank broke down and had…

Sale catalogue from Lanark Auction Market

document
Year: 1892

A sale catalogue dating from 1892 from Lawrie & Symington Auctioneers at Lanark Auction Market.

Pont's map of Lanark, 1596

Pont’s Map of Lanark

map
Year: 1596

Pont’s Map of Lanark from 1596. This map gives an incredible look at the layout of Lanark during the time of James VI of Scotland. By 1596, Lanark had four…

Ordnance Survey map of Lanark Castle

Ordnance Survey map of Lanark Castle

map

This Ordnance Survey map provides some idea of the layout of Lanark Castle.

Blaeu map of Bonnington, 1654

Blaeu map of Bonnington

map
Year: 1654

This map was published in 1654 by Joan Blaeu, a Dutch cartographer born in Alkmaar, the son of cartographer Willem Blaeu. It was based on the first detailed map of…

1860 Ordnance Survey map of Lanark

Ordnance Survey map of Lanark

map
Year: 1860

This Ordnance Survey map shows Lanark in the 1860s. Map reproduced courtesy of the National Library of Scotland.