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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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.

Timothy Pont map of 1596 showing Lanark

Pont Map of Lanark

map
Year: 1596

A Timothy Pont map from 1596 showing Lanark. The map shows what appears to be a tower house enclosed by a ditch. This ditch could be the remains of the…

Forest Map of 1819 showing Bonnington

Forest Map showing Bonnington

map
Year: 1819

A Forest Map of Lanarkshire from 1819. The Forest Map series showed considerable detail, including of the Bonnington Estate. At this time, walks and paths were created by Lady Mary…

Lanark shown in the Wood Town Atlas map of 1822

Wood Town Atlas

map
Year: 1822

This map is from the Wood Town Atlas of 1822. At this point, Lanark had not changed much since the Middle Ages. The Castle is at the bottom of the…