LANARK LANIMER DAY
An ancient celebration held within the Royal Burgh of Lanark on the Thursday between the Sixth and Twelfth days of June annually since the year 1140.
 

Border Friendships

For the last five years on the Monday of Lanimer Week - known to us all as Marches Night, some may have noticed that there is another sash being worn other than those of the Lanark ex-Lord Cornets on the podium at the bottom of High Street. Since I was chosen as Lord Cornet in 1999, the contingent from Penicuik have been ever present at our Lanimer celebrations during most of Lanimer Week, including the Lanimer Ball.

Most Lanark Lord Cornets will tell you that during their year of office they were extended fabulous hospitality and warmth from all the Border Towns and Festivals. They might also tell you that they have also found one particular town where they seem to just get on so well with everyone involved and that year after year they return to that particular town to enjoy the celebrations again and again. I am no different, my own personal twin town is Penicuik.

Alastair Plews and Lindsay Moore were Penicuik Hunter & Lass in 1999 and we first met at Currie. All through our mutual year of celebrations we met Alastair and his wife Margaret, Lindsay and her husband Steve. We met all over the country, initially Currie, but also including Sanquhar, Kirkcudbright, Biggar, Annan, etc. etc. and have many a tall tale to tell. The hospitality we received at Penicuik was second to none (hospitality we still enjoy, whilst residing Chez Plews).

One of the things I found particularly interesting during my year in office was the varying ways and means that towns and committees have in their selection processes and the way in which each town enjoys their own particular celebrations. Penicuik invite applications for the position of Hunter and Lass and interviews are conducted by the Committee to select the Principals each year.

In comparison to our own Festival, Penicuik is indeed the 'bairn', as the first Hunter & Lass were chosen in 1936 although the traditional ceremony dates from the time of King Robert the Bruce, commemorating an old tradition or legend of the granting of the lands to Penicuik. This tradition also includes the involvement of the local laird and the blowing of a three hundred year old Hunting Horn, leading to their Motto "Free For A Blast". From 1966 to 1977 no festival took place, unfortunately due to lack of support, however re-born in 1978 the festival has gone from strength to strength.

For the past twenty years (10 as Secretary and 10 as Chairman) Fiona Gibson has led the Hunter and Lass Committee with vigour that would put a lot of us to shame. They all work so very hard throughout the year to raise funds for the Festival Week, as do our own Lanimer Committee, but with approximately 20% of our committee numbers.

Nowadays, when it comes to the end of January, our friends in Penicuik are always interested to know who is 'our new guy' and are quick to invite us to the introductory disco in March for their new Hunter & Lass. Come Lanimer Day there is the usual visiting contingent and the eager request for a Lanimer Medal, a much sought after memento amongst the visiting Principals.

There are many other friendships that have been formed over the years since being elected Lord Cornet in 1999, meeting people originally from Lanark who now reside away from the town but who are either visiting a celebration such as Lanimers or actually being involved in them. These are only some of the instances of the camaraderie that abounds between Lanark and our neighbouring towns where similar festivals are held. I hope that this is one personal tradition that will remain and that the Penicuik Hunter & Lass contingent will continue to be amongst the many visiting sashes during Lanimer Week.

Ex Lord Cornet Lindsay Craig