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.
 

Braveheart - 700 Years On

This August marks the 700th anniversary of the execution of 'Braveheart' - the Guardian of Scotland, Sir William Wallace.

The 'Braveheart' story of Scotland's fight for freedom began in The Royal Burgh of Lanark where Wallace and his wife lived.

Now the town is leading the national celebrations for the 700th anniversary with two spectacular events.

On August 20th and 21st the streets and parks between the site of Wallace's house and the royal castle where he started Scotland's Wars of Independence in earnest will be taken over by hundreds of Living History re-enactors from across Britain and Ireland, and possibly even further afield.

The weekend's activities will include the annual Wallace Commemorative March through the town centre, as well as mock battles, archery, living history demonstrations, falconry displays, an authentic mediaeval traders market, and, in some of the streets, a large mediaeval themed craft and food market, selling specialist goods from across Scotland, and even from as far away as France, Russia, the Czech Republic and the USA.

That weekend the clock will be turned back to the 14th century with dozens of gaily coloured tents housing the Scottish and English armies encamped in Delves and Castlebank Parks, and even a large mediaeval traders post, selling everything from 14th century weapons and armour to clothing and household goods of that era.

The 2005 event is being held on the closest weekend to the date of his actual execution, and heralds the start of a month long series of commemorative events in Scotland and England, culminating with a spectacular 'homecoming' for Wallace in September.

On September 10-11 Wallace is finally returned to his hometown where, with great pomp and ceremony, a colourful, spectacular funeral procession is planned.

"Wallace was hung, drawn and quartered and parts of his body sent to different parts of the country to ensure the Scots would have nowhere to pay homage to their hero. Now, 700 years later, it is fitting that the spirit of Wallace is returning to Lanark, where he lived, married and first drew sword in earnest for his country," explained one of the event organisers.

East Kilbride author David Ross, who wrote a best selling book on Wallace, is behind the idea of bringing 'Braveheart' home.

This summer he will walk to London, following the route taken by Wallace after his capture. After a march through the capital, exactly 700 years after his death, followed by a commemorative service in St Bart's Church, outside of which Wallace was executed. Then a coffin containing the spirit of Wallace, captured in thousands of letters expressing Scottish people's thought of Wallace, will be brought back to the ruins of Old St Kentigerns Church, where he married his sweetheart Marion Braidfute.

The August and September events are each expected to attract in excess of 10,000 visitors.

Lanarkians will be able to get a taste of what is to come right after Lanimers when The Clan Wallace launch their European Road Train from the Royal Burgh on June 10th.

Mentioned at the Oscars on at least three occasions, the Clan Wallace has Sean Connery, Mel Gibson and Russell Crowe amongst its client luminary base, and have supplied tight crews for all the major sword and swashbuckler movies made in Britain and Europe over the last fifteen years.

The Clan Wallace also have a Pipes Drum Dance and percussion band that travels the world extensively promoting the music and culture of Scotland.

The Clan Wallace have a hectic schedule next embarking on a European tour from Lanark on Friday June 10 to promote the commemorations and celebrations surrounding the 700th anniversary of Wallace and the 10th anniversary of the making of the blockbuster movie "Braveheart".

The Clan Wallace band will be leaving from Lanark for an extensive tour of Europe, starting in Argenta Trigallia Celtic festival, Italy's biggest Celtic Festival, then touring Spain with a month in Aragon enjoying festivals and workshops in the remote villages of the Spanish Pyrenees, then playing Barcelona, Madrid, Seville and Bilbao as support for Spain's top Celtic entertainer Hevia.

They will be returning through France visiting festivals in Grenoble, Gunion and Paris, then two festivals in Liverpool and Manchester, before finally returning to Scotland and the planned commemorations and celebrations in Lanark in September.

Chief executive of Clan Wallace, Seoras Wallace said "We will be promoting Scotland in general but it is in support of the great homecoming of Wallace to Lanark, where it all began, that we are specifically promoting. What the people of Lanark are preparing for 2005 should be applauded, they are leading the drive in Scotland to commemorate the lives of William Wallace and Marion Braidfute".

Wallace Society