Lanimer Lorries
In other places these would be called ‘floats’ but Lanark is different and has always referred to entries in the Lanimer Procession as ‘lorries’. Originally simple horse drawn affairs these due to the competitive nature of the event were soon to become more and more elaborate and with the advent of motorised vehicles of a much larger size. Most of the lorries taking part in are designed and built by local people who have usually been working throughout the previous year raising funds and planning for the ‘big day’. Participants are not allowed to use commercial funding nor is commercial advertising allowed on any of the lorries.
1910
1924
A non-motorised entry 2005
A motorised entry 2005
Lanimer Pennies
Officially known as Lanimer Medals these items of Lanimer paraphernalia date to the introduction of the Lanimer Queen in 1893. Originally all the children taking part in the procession on Lanimer morning were presented with a penny coin minted in that year.
A solid silver Lanimer Medal of 1911
It is the only know example
Obverse of the 1995 Lanimer Medal
In most of the following years either a coin or a specially struck medal of bronze or aluminium was presented. The medal had on one side the crest of the Royal Burgh of Lanark and on the reverse the year of issue with the names of the principal characters such as the Lord Cornet and Lanimer Queen. In 2005 2,300 Lanimer medals were struck.
The Birks
Visitors often ask why there are people in the Lanimer Procession whose sole job seems to be to carry branches of birch trees around the route. The reason for their inclusion in the Lanimer Procession lies in a series of disputes with the Laird of Jerviswood, which originally flared up between 1696 and 1702. This dispute centred on the terms of a new charter granted to George Baillie of Jerviswood by the Burgh. The Burgh after long negotiations retained their rights to traverse the lands.
A second dispute took place at the end of the 18th century and again the Burgh won its case again in connection with rights to the land.
The third and most serious fracas arose from damage caused by about 300 participants in the Perambulation of the Marches through the southern part of the Jerviswood estate in 1840. The crowd was accused of damaging upwards of 300 young birch trees in a plantation and the Laird maintained that the people of Lanark should not trespass on his land. Over the ensuing seven years the dispute continued and in 1848 it appeared that the Council was on the verge of admitting defeat. John Marr pressed for the investigation of the official records. To the delight of all Lanarkians it was discovered that Laird of Jerviswood had never been sold the land. The Council thereafter maintained the annual tradition of walking round the march stones and birks were carried to illustrate that they had exercised their rights to traverse the lands of Jerviswood.
Lanimer Procession with Birks 1920
The Lanimer Queen’s Cake
The tradition of a cake being baked for the Lanimer Queen dates back to the late 1890’s when the Lawson Family first started producing the cake and even going so far as to have it placed on a lorry and transported around the Lanimer Procession route on Lanimer Day. This tradition is still upheld but the cake is no longer part of the Procession.
The Lanimer Queen’s cake 1897
LANARK LANIMERS
A Guide to Lanimer Day and the Lanimer Celebrations
by Ex-Lord Cornet Paul Archibald & Ex-Lord Cornet T. Henry Shanks
CONTENTS
Lanimer Week
Sunday
Kirkin’ of the Lord Cornet Elect
Monday
Perambulation of the Marches
Shifting of the Standard
Tuesday
Evening Ride Out
Thursday
Collection of the Lord Cornet
Procession
Crowning of the Lanimer Queen
Afternoon Ride Out and Declaration
Tattoo
Friday
Lanimer Queen’s Reception
Saturday
Lanimer Ball
Behind the Scenes – Frequently Asked Questions
Lanimer Lorries
Lanimer Pennies
The Birks
The Lanimer Queen’s Cake
The Lanimer Queen’s Court
Left & Right Hand Men
Lanimer Committee
The Lord Cornets’ Club
Sponsors
Postscript
Although the Lanimer Celebrations consist of nearly a week long series of events Lanimer Day itself falls on the Thursday between the 6th and 12th June each year. The only exceptions to this rule being when the powers that be call some sort of election that clashes with the traditional date. In such cases the events are organised for the following week.
In the past these celebrations have been referred to under several names – Landemuir day, landemuris, Landmarches, Ryding of the Merches, etc. All are versions or corruptions of Land Marches. When the Crown established Royal Burghs, as part of the contract, the burgesses of the town had to examine the march stones every year and report that all was well or ill according to what they found. The checking of Lanark’s March Stones is the source of today’s much expanded celebrations.
One of Lanark’s March Stones
Lanark is one of the oldest Royal Burghs in Scotland, its Charter being granted by King David I (1124-1153). Lanark may be unique in being the only Burgh that has checked its boundaries each year since it was established c.1140. In 1588 the Burgh records describe the Lanimers as being ‘ancient and yearly’. The checking of such bounds was taken seriously by the Crown. Rutherglen was in trouble about 1581 for not carrying out this required duty. A report on Lanark’s boundaries is still sent to the Crown.
Masons installing a new stone, 2000
Today there are 15 march stones situated at various points around the burgh lands a few of which are relatively new being replacements for those “lost” over the years. Most of the replacements were installed to mark the Millennium.
What started as a simple duty soon turned into an annual festival, “The Lanimers”. Originally all the events were packed into Lanimer Day but gradually during the late 19th and early 20th Century the celebrations began to expand to fill the whole week. What started as a “business practice” carried out by paid officials of the Town Council, had by the 17th century evolved into a more enjoyable affair with the burgesses vying with each other for the honour of carrying the Burgh Standard on Lanimer Day. The person appointed for the year became known at first as the Standard Bearer, then as the Cornet and is nowadays most often referred to as the Lord Cornet.
Lord Cornet Angus Mitchell, 1900 with the Burgh Standard
The office of Lord Cornet is of ancient origin its holder having important duties to carry out in relation to the maintenance of the burgh boundaries. The first named Standard Bearer appears in print in 1670 – one John Aitkein. These days he is also charged with representing the town at similar festivals throughout the Borders and the West of Scotland.
The Lord Cornet 2005
Until 1834 the Town Council and Deacons of Crafts took it in turns to make the appointment. From 1834 – 1974 the Provost & Magistrates made the decision and since 1974 a Committee has chosen the Lord Cornet, that group comprising the Chairman of the Lanimer Committee, the Dean of the Guildry, the two local authority Councillors for Lanark, the Chairman of the Community Council and a representative from the Lord Cornets’ Club.
Whilst the duty of inspecting the land march stones would originally have been a simple matter, as years went by the process was elaborated upon and became more festive in nature with more people becoming involved. Processions, with decorated vehicles started in the 19th Century as part of the Lord Cornet’s Procession and over time gradually developed into the colourful affair that we have today.
Lanimer Day 1872
In 1892 the first of two major innovations took place. A recently re-organised Lanimer Committee decided to seek the involvement of more people in the celebrations. A sub-committee was formed to approach the Masters of the local schools with a view to involving children. They were also to approach the managers of the weaving mills at New Lanark and Kirkfieldbank to request the presence of workers. The extra effort and preparations resulted in about 700 children being turned out for the procession, the first time large numbers had participated.
The following year saw the introduction of a Lanimer Queen and her court complete with costumes and a crowning ceremony closely based on that of Queen Victoria’s. This innovation proved to be a huge success and over 1,000 children took part on Lanimer Day along with numerous apprentice tradesmen with banners and emblems of their trade.
Crowning the first Lanimer Queen June 1893
The first Lanimer Queen was Grace Adams a daughter of a local joiner. The Lanimer Queen is still elected annually by her peers, in rotation from six schools, Lanark Grammar School, Robert Owen Memorial Primary School, Lanark Primary School, St Mary’s Primary School, New Lanark Primary School and Kirkfieldbank Primary School.
Lanimer Queen 1907, Maria Minchella Lanimer Queen 1998, Claire McMillan
Lanimer Week
Sunday – The Kirkin’ of the Lord Cornet Elect in St Nicholas Parish Church.
Although not ‘new’ this aspect of Lanimer Week is of relatively recent origin dating to 1951 when the Lord Cornets’ Club initiated this ceremony. It consists of participants assembling in Lanark Memorial Hall at 11.40 a.m. and then marching in procession to St. Nicholas Parish Church for a service commencing at noon. After the service the procession re-assembles and proceeds to Hope Street where some short speeches are made before the assembled group disbands. There are various functions in the town thereafter but none of these are official events albeit that some are hosted by those involved in some official capacity during the year.
Bands in the High Street Lord Cornet and supporters
Lord Cornets and other dignitaries on the steps of the County Buildings, Hope Street.
Monday – The Perambulation of the Marches followed by the Shifting of the Standard at the Cross.
Regarded by many Lanarkians as their favourite day of the week, the Perambulation of the Marches dates back to 1752, until then riders did the whole circuit on horseback during the one day. Due to an increase in the cropping of fields along the route it became difficult for the horsemen to pass without damaging the crops therefore the Perambulation was carried out at the start of the day. This continued until sometime after the mid 1800’s when the first part of the inspection was moved from the Thursday to the Monday of the same week. Nowadays starting in Hope Street at 6 p. m. and led by the Lord Cornet and Ex-Lord Cornets’ what can appear to be the whole town traverse the countryside to the north of the town checking along the way those march stones in this part of the Burgh. The actual numbers of those taking part can vary but in an average year there are around 2,500 participants walking a distance of about 8Km (over 3½ miles).
Riding of the Marches 1950
Scramble for coins at Leechford 1965
Cornets assemble at the County Buildings
Scramble at Leechford 2005
Rough terrain
A March Stone inspected, 2005 Perambulators en route
Having returned to the Cross the ceremony of the Shifting of the Standard takes place at 8.15 p. m. This consists of the returning of the Burgh Standard by the previous year’s Lord Cornet, after a speech in which he outlines the highlights of his year in office, to the Chairman of the Lanimer Committee. The Standard is in turn passed to the incoming Lord Cornet who is instructed to return it one year hence “unsullied and unstained”. Following the presentation to the Lord Cornet of his sash of office and his Cornets’ Club Badge. The party form a procession and marches to Castlebank Park where footraces for all ages are held. The evening concludes with the Lord Cornet’s Reception at which he plays host to those who have supported the Perambulation of the Marches and visitors.
The Shifting of the Standard 1937
The Cornet of 2004 returns the Standard “unsullied and unstained”
The Lord Cornet for 2005 receives the Standard
Tuesday – Evening Ride Out
Evening Ride Out by the Lord Cornet, Ex-Lord Cornets and friends to examine the March stones on the west, east and south sides of the town. As part of the evenings proceedings horse races are held for participants of the ride out. A range of races takes place from those on ponies to one for Ex-Lord Cornets and for one of the oldest horse races anywhere – The Burgh Spurs. After covering further countryside the group stops at nearby New Lanark for rest and refreshments. Prizes for the winners of the races are distributed and the Lanimer Queen is presented with a Loving Cup by New Lanark Community Council. The group then reforms and returns cross country to Lanark.
The ride out approaches the Cross
The ride out at Lanark Racecourse
Trophy presentation at New Lanark
Thursday – Lanimer Day
The main day of the celebrations packed with activity and is also the longest of the week. The official day starts with the uplifting of the Lord Cornet from his house by members of the Lord Cornets’ Club led by Strathclyde Police Mounted Branch. This cavalcade then proceeds to the Memorial Hall where the Lord Cornet and his entourage greet the many visiting Principals and other guests. This is followed by the “Safe Oot, Safe In” toast given by the Provost of South Lanarkshire. The Lord Cornet and his party then form a procession and proceed to Hope Street and Bloomgate where they are met by massed bands and make their way via the Cross to St. Leonard Street where the rest of the participants in the Morning Procession have assembled.
The Lord Cornet being toasted at his home
Morning reception for visiting guests
The Procession – At 10.00 a.m. the processions starts on its route. In 2005 over 1,450 people took part in the Lanimer Day Morning Procession. This figure included over 700 children, 18 Lanimer entries, 12 bands and others.
PROCESSIONS THROUGH THE AGES
c.1894 1993
1877
Dignitaries assembling
2005
2005
The Crowning of the Lanimer Queen – After the Procession has travelled down the High Street for the second time. The children and other participants congregate on stands at The Cross to await the arrival of the Lanimer Queen. Once the Lanimer Queen and her Court are in position on top of the dais the Crowning Ceremony takes place. The ceremony and accompanying pageantry have remained largely unchanged since the crowning of the first Lanimer Queen in 1893.
1893 1893
Children waiting for the Crowning 2005
Crowning the Lanimer Queen 2005
Following the Crowning a variety of entertainment is available to all who wish to attend at Castlebank Park. Music, games, displays, stalls and sideshows are all laid on.
Whilst this is taking place the Lord Cornet and his party assemble for the Afternoon Ride Out. During this the Lord Cornet completes the checking of the March Stones in preparation for his Declaration at Lanark Cross at 5.30p.m. The Declaration takes the form of an official report on the March Stones he has inspected throughout the week and whether they were in their correct places or not.
The Lord Cornet making his Declaration at the Cross 2005
Following the Declaration an “Evening Spectacular” takes place, this modern introduction in the form of a miniature military tattoo culminating in the Lord Lieutenant of Lanarkshire taking the salute as the bands march off.
Friday – The Lanimer Queen’s Reception
The Lanimer Queen’s Reception is held in Greyfriars Church between 7.30 and 10.00 p. m. During the reception many of the children who took part on the Morning Procession perform by singing and (or) dancing. The Queen and her court also perform a series of “court dances” throughout the evening.
Saturday – The Lanimer Ball
In previous years the Lanimer Ball was held on the evening of Lanimer Day in the County Buildings in Hope Street. Due to the pressure of events on Lanimer Day it was moved to the Tuesday evening before Lanimer Day. It has now been moved to the Saturday at the end of Lanimer Week. Although a formal occasion it is not exclusive and anyone may attend – provided they can obtain a ticket. The ball is a special evening for the Lanimer Queen elect as she is escorted to the event by the Lord Cornet. It is organised and run by the Lord Cornets’ Club.
The Lanimer Ball 2005
BEHIND THE SCENES – FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Lanimer Lorries
In other places these would be called ‘floats’ but Lanark is different and has always referred to entries in the Lanimer Procession as ‘lorries’. Originally simple horse drawn affairs these due to the competitive nature of the event were soon to become more and more elaborate and with the advent of motorised vehicles of a much larger size. Most of the lorries taking part in are designed and built by local people who have usually been working throughout the previous year raising funds and planning for the ‘big day’. Participants are not allowed to use commercial funding nor is commercial advertising allowed on any of the lorries.
1910
1924
A non-motorised entry 2005
A motorised entry 2005
Lanimer Pennies
Officially known as Lanimer Medals these items of Lanimer paraphernalia date to the introduction of the Lanimer Queen in 1893. Originally all the children taking part in the procession on Lanimer morning were presented with a penny coin minted in that year.
A solid silver Lanimer Medal of 1911
It is the only know example Obverse of the 1995 Lanimer Medal
In most of the following years either a coin or a specially struck medal of bronze or aluminium was presented. The medal had on one side the crest of the Royal Burgh of Lanark and on the reverse the year of issue with the names of the principal characters such as the Lord Cornet and Lanimer Queen. In 2005 2,300 Lanimer medals were struck.
The Birks
Visitors often ask why there are people in the Lanimer Procession whose sole job seems to be to carry branches of birch trees around the route. The reason for their inclusion in the Lanimer Procession lies in a series of disputes with the Laird of Jerviswood, which originally flared up between 1696 and 1702. This dispute centred on the terms of a new charter granted to George Baillie of Jerviswood by the Burgh. The Burgh after long negotiations retained their rights to traverse the lands.
A second dispute took place at the end of the 18th century and again the Burgh won its case again in connection with rights to the land.
The third and most serious fracas arose from damage caused by about 300 participants in the Perambulation of the Marches through the southern part of the Jerviswood estate in 1840. The crowd was accused of damaging upwards of 300 young birch trees in a plantation and the Laird maintained that the people of Lanark should not trespass on his land. Over the ensuing seven years the dispute continued and in 1848 it appeared that the Council was on the verge of admitting defeat. John Marr pressed for the investigation of the official records. To the delight of all Lanarkians it was discovered that Laird of Jerviswood had never been sold the land. The Council thereafter maintained the annual tradition of walking round the march stones and birks were carried to illustrate that they had exercised their rights to traverse the lands of Jerviswood.
Lanimer Procession with Birks 1920
The Lanimer Queen’s Cake
The tradition of a cake being baked for the Lanimer Queen dates back to the late 1890’s when the Lawson Family first started producing the cake and even going so far as to have it placed on a lorry and transported around the Lanimer Procession route on Lanimer Day. This tradition is still upheld but the cake is no longer part of the Procession.
The Lanimer Queen’s cake 1897
The Lanimer Queen’s Court
Queen’s Champion; First Lord; Second Lord; 4 Outriders; 2 Yeomen of the Guard; 2 Heralds; Crown Bearer; Sceptre Bearer; Sword Bearer; Proclamation Bearer; 2 Page Boys; 12 Ladies in Waiting and 2 Chief Maids.
Left & Right Hand Men
The Lord Cornet is supported throughout his term of office by his Left and Right Hand Men. They are the former Lord Cornets of the preceding two years. They wear their identifying red and blue rosettes whilst the Lord Cornet’s is white.
Lanimer Committee
Up until 1892 the Lanimer Committee was formed by election from Ratepayers within the Burgh. From then the Town Council took a more active role with initially all the members of the Town Council being on the Committee. The Council remained the main driving force until 1975 when due to Local Government re-organisation a solely voluntary Committee took up the duties. The Lanimer Committee is the main organising committee for the whole of Lanimer Week. Headed by a Chairman (3 year term) and an Executive Committee there are currently 17 Sub-Committees drawn up from the 136 individual members.
The Lord Cornets’ Club
Each Lord Cornet automatically becomes a member of the Lord Cornets’ Club which was established by former Lord Cornets of the town in 1949. The principal objectives of the Club are to support the Lord Cornet in his year of office and to maintain the equestrian traditions associated with the Lanimers. To this end the Club keeps in contact with other border towns, supporting their festivals and inviting their representatives to Lanark.
Honorary members of the Club appointed each year are the Chairman of the Royal Burgh of Lanark Community Council, the Chairman of the Lanimer Committee and the Club Chaplain.
The Cornets’ Club is responsible for the organisation of all the equestrian aspects of Lanimer Week, the Kirkin’ of the Lord Cornet Elect and also for the Lanimer Ball. It raises funds throughout the year which help to defray the costs of Lanimer Week.
Sponsors
Sponsors are those groups or individuals who take part in the Morning Procession by entering a lorry or some other form of entry. They spend most of the year planning and organising the various aspects required to form an entry starting with ideas for a suitable topic and working through such problems as drawing up plans, raising funds, designing and making costumes, obtaining material, obtaining a suitable construction site, borrowing or buying a suitable vehicle to base the lorry on, find volunteers to help build the lorry, organise helpers to make artificial flowers for the lorry, organise practices for the children’s ‘turn’ at the Lanimer Queen’s Reception, build the lorry, organise a dress rehearsal and finally turn up on the day at the right time and in the right place! Since 1995 Sponsors have been able to get help through a group set up by the Lanimer Committee that gives advice to all those interested in taking part as Sponsors.