A wee bit of rain can't dampen the spirit of Lanimer Day crowds gathered in Lanark

A sea of smiling faces lined the streets of Lanark as the annual Lanimer Day event took place on Thursday.

The day is the biggest event in the traditional week-long celebration and thousands thronged the pavements as the colourful Queen's State Procession made its way through the town, much to the delight of residents and visitors who had gathered since early in the morning.

The procession is renowned for its incredible lorry floats which were awash with colour to cancel out the somewhat interchangeable grey and occasional blue sky above.

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

The rain did come on for a time just as this year’s Lanimer Queen Lacey Steele, a New Lanark Primary pupil, prepared to be crowned - but the royal party was well prepared and the brollies came out for a few minutes until the clouds moved on.

The ceremony then got underway much to the delight of the loyal subjects who had gathered at St Nicholas’ Church, with Cheryl Reilly carrying out the duties of the crowning lady.

The word Lanimer means, “landmark” day and the celebration has been held in the town annually for almost 900 years. It is one of the most highly anticipated days of the year in Lanarkshire.

It dates back to 1140 when it was given Royal land and a promise was made to the King that everything within the lands would be kept safe. Landmark (March) stones were placed around the town. There are 17 of them existing at the moment.

Every year the Lanimer Day event is traditionally held between June 6 and 12.

One visitor to the town for the celebration, said: “It was great and the place was completely heaving. It really is spectacular. I arrived around 9am and the crowds were already starting to gather then.

“There were a few showers but that didn’t dampen people’s enthusiasm and the sun did make a few appearances through the clouds.”

There was a thrilling finale as the massed bands reached a crescendo as they played a stirring selection of pipes and drums music at Lanark Cross to round off the day.

This year’s festivities kicked off last Sunday with a procession down the High Street for the Kirkin’ of the Lord Cornet – Kevin McNally, and will finish on Saturday night with a ball which around 400 people will attend, and dance the night away.

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