Crowds gather in Lanark for centuries old colourful celebrations on Lanimer Day

Residents and visitors alike will be hoping the weather remains kind as Lanimers Day brings thousands out onto the streets of Lanark today.

The big celebration has been held in the town annually for almost 900 years and is one of the most highly anticipated days of the year in Lanarkshire.

There's a buzz in the air and the streets are awash with colour.

New Lanark Primary pupil Lacey Steele is set to be crowned as this year’s Lanimer Queen under the watchful gaze of Lanark’s statue of William Wallace.

The Lanark Lanimer celebration has traditionally been held between the sixth and twelfth days of June since the year 1140, and this year’s events kicked off on Sunday with a procession down the High Street for the Kirkin’ of the Lord Cornet Elect – Kevin McNally – in a combined churches service.

Father John-Paul McShane from St Mary’s Church leading the proceedings, ably assisted by Reverend Susan Durham of Lanark EU Congregational Church and Reverend Louise McKay from host church; St Nicholas Parish.

The week-long series of events continued on Monday evening with the Perambulation of the Marches, where over 1000 people took part in the historic task of checking the March stones which mark the boundaries of the former Royal Burgh.

Lanark was a Royal Burgh until 1976, initially in the twelfth century it was given Royal land and a promise was made to the King at the time that everything within the lands would be kept safe. So they put landmark (March) stones around the town. There are 17 of them existing at the moment. Lanimer means, “landmark” day.

The Lord Cornet’s Ride Out took place on Tuesday afternoon, the equestrian event was curtailed slightly following a damp start to the day.

Lanimer Committee Secretary, Molly Cumming, said: “There had been very heavy rain in the morning so we reduced the length of the ride, as it was very soft underfoot for the horses.

“It looks as if it’s going to be cold for Lanimer Day. Hopefully we will get through the procession and most of the day, dry. But there may be some light showers, but it is forecast to be cool.”

The Lanimer Day Queens State Procession is one of the largest in the UK, with dozens of Lanimer Lorries (floats) and over a thousand school children taking to the streets, led by the Lord Cornet and marching bands.

The lorries are renowned for their creativity, scale and in many cases the use of thousands of hand crafted paper flowers.

Later in the day massed bands will play a selection of music before the crowds at Lanark Cross in a thrilling finale

Lanimer Day comes to a thrilling finale when the massed bands play a stirring selection of music on the pipes and drums at Lanark Cross.

Tomorrow evening (Friday) brings the Lanimer Queens Reception with music, dance and variety acts in the Lanark Memorial Hall.

The Lord Cornets Lanimer Ball takes place on Saturday night closing to the weeks festivities, with around 400 people expected to attend, dancing the night away.

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