Lanark Heritage Trail

Lanark, where Heritage blooms - explore this bustling town & discover historic highlights

This leaflet describes a walking tour around the historic market town of Lanark. You will not only come across lovely old buildings of architectural interest, discover the development of the town throughout the years, but uncover some of Lanark’s hidden treasures. Welcome to ‘oor toun’!

Lanark is one of the very few towns with direct links to William Wallace, and still in existence today are the ruins of Old St Kentigerns Church, where legend has it that Wallace was married to his sweetheart, Marion Braidfute, and the site of Lanark castle, where Wallace reputedly killed Hazelrigg, the English governor, in retaliation for killing Marion. Whether Wallace even had a wife is unknown, but he was brutally executed in London in August 1305 after years of fighting Edward I of England.

Lanark has served as an important market town since medieval times, and King David l, made it a Royal Burgh in 1140, and the 17 boundary stones are still checked on an annual basis during Lanimer week during the month of June. (Lanimer Day is the 2nd Thursday between 6th  and 12th of June each year), attended by thousands of visitors to see the grand procession of decorated "lorries" and numerous pipe and brass/silver bands. 

If you would like to walk this interesting trail, please click this link or the one on top right of the page to download the full guide leaflet, or collect a free printed booklet from the local Tourist information office in Lanark.